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NOVA PRIMARY'24
COVERING NOVA DEMOCRATIC PRIMARIES 2024
This resource was developed by a team of socialist artists, web developers, researchers, and political organizers through the Metro DC Democratic Socialists of America. Our goal is to provide Northern Virginia voters and residents a guide to understanding who's running for local office in DC, who's behind them, and where they stand along a set of issues. REDBUG is a project 100% supported by volunteers and is intended as a resource for VA voters - this is not intended to advocate for specific candidates.
How should I use this guide?
How should I use this guide?
Browse through the different races, explore context, and take note of different answers. Note that there are more issues than those we track here. For those looking to vote strategically, take note of who has realistic levels of funding and who has endorsed given candidates. Consider: who is more likely to use their office to challenge the system and empower workers?
Candidates designated as "Progressive backed" must have the endorsement of at least 3 organizations we have designated as progressive. Candidates designated as "Labor backed" must have the endorsement of at least 3 labor unions, and must have 90% of identified labor endorsements in the race (note that we do not count the labor councils or DC Police Union as labor organizations).
Are the positions covered here the only ones that matter?
Absolutely not. There are many important issues to consider when voting for local office, and we only had the time to panel responses to issues covered here. Positions identified here - along with relevant endorsements and context provided - should give you a good understanding of how candidates orient towards other important issues. There are also other important local races that are not covered here.
How can I contest information that's displayed here?
You can submit contested positions or descriptions of candidates USING THIS FORM. The editors of this site will do our best to respond to all credible submissions, and update text listed here in case a correction is warranted.
What are the issues?
Our socialists reviewed four issues relevant to socialists interested in voting in Virginia. These are not the only issues at matter, and some officials are more...clever about hiding their true orientation than others. But we tried to suss out where candidates were along these items. Here is the backing context for each of the four issues:
- calling for a ceasefire between Israel & Hamas
Calling for and supporting a ceasefire in Palestine is critical in putting more pressure on the Biden administration to stop supporting Israel as it's far right government commits genocide. These calls should be unconditional and immediate ceasefire. All candidates noted as pro-ceasefire at least support an immediate ceasefire, some qualifying there answers with some conditions, others not.
There are many Arab, Muslim, Jewish, Israeli and Palestinian people in Northern Virginia, many of whom have been directly impacted by the Israeli government's unchecked violence. This is not a nebulous issue.
There are many Arab, Muslim, Jewish, Israeli and Palestinian people in Northern Virginia, many of whom have been directly impacted by the Israeli government's unchecked violence. This is not a nebulous issue.
- positioning on tenants rights
Tenants in Virginia have little protection when it comes to renting, especially in comparison to neighboring DC and Maryland and NoVA is home to thousands of tenants. Any and all support for additional local tenant protections would go a long way to protection some of our most vulnerable residents, who too often are stuck in buildings owned by slumlords with borderline unlivable conditions. Candidates must have explicitly stated a tangible tenant protection policy to be noted as pro-tenant protections.
- police Funding
Police funding is a yearly issue and one that intersects with our goal of police abolition. Distinguishing between candidates that support increasing funding, support maintaining funding, and support decreasing funding is important to figure out who will be an ally and who will be an obstacle as we continue to advocate for lower police funding while we work towards police abolition.
- cooperation with ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement)
Counties and independent cities all have the choice whether to have their sheriffs voluntarily cooperate with ICE or not when ICE wants to take custody of incarcerated individuals as soon as they are released. With a goal of abolishing ICE entirely, not voluntarily cooperating with ICE is the bare minimum counties and independent cities can do to not assist ICE. NoVA is home a large and diverse immigrant population that do not need to needlessly be harassed and detained by ICE. Candidates are only noted as anti-ICE cooperation if they explicitly pledge to not voluntarily collaborate with ICE.
VOTING INFORMATION
Use the links below to navigate alone critcal voting resources in Northern Virginia
Arlington County Board
(5 candidates)
No items found.
Former candidate for Arlington County Board in 2023. Born in Conway, SC, Spain is a former Marine who served in Iraq in 2001, but currently works as a business consultant. Has made it a priority of his campaign to see more funding directed to the county Department of Human Services to better deal with mental health support for residents.
WHERE THEY STAND
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Ceasefire Resolution
Stated he is open to passing a ceasefire resolution.
Tenant Protections
In support of stronger tenant protections, has said housing is a human right.
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Police Funding
Supports increasing funding, including new tech for police and jails. Wants mental health experts at jails 24/7. Wants to keep people out of jail who "don't need to be there."
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ICE Cooperation
No position identified.
FUNDING
Total Raised
$ 123,714
(
32
% of total funds in this race)
ENDORSEMENTS
> Vote Pro Choice
> NoVA Labor
> Arlington Education Assoc
> UFCW Local 400
> AFSCME Council 20
> Sierra Club
> Moms Demand Action
> Greater Greater Washington
> VoteVets
> YIMBYs of NOVA
> Democratic Majority Action
[ CAMPAIGN
]
[ SOCIAL
]
Peterson is a media strategist and a substitute teacher at Arlington County schools. She is a former FAAC member, and a county planning commission appointee. She is running as a progressive, but comes off as someone who wants to climb the political ladder more than someone committed to truly progressive ideas.
WHERE THEY STAND
Ceasefire Resolution
Open to passing a ceasefire resolution.
Tenant Protections
Housing priorities are more on affordable development. Supports combatting racial discrimination for rental applications, but no mention of expanding tenants rights.
Police Funding
As FAAC chair recommended police budget increase in 2018. Wants more funding to fund mental health training for cops. Wants to give cops discounts in rent instead of more pay. (What about the rest of us?)
ICE Cooperation
Opposed to police cooperation with ICE.
FUNDING
Total Raised
$ 63,594
(
16
% of total funds in this race)
ENDORSEMENTS
> IBEW Local 26
> Sierra Club
> Greater Greater Washington
> YIMBYs of NOVA
> Sustainable Mobility for Arlington
> NoVA Assoc of Realtors
[ CAMPAIGN
]
[ SOCIAL
]
Former Capitol Police staff running on public safety and lower density. Though Farnam worked for the US Citizenship and Immigration Services for 15 years, she is now an author and small business owner.
WHERE THEY STAND
Ceasefire Resolution
Yes. Has stated she is pro-ceasefire.
Tenant Protections
Advocates for more parking and lower density, but little mention of tenant's rights.
Police Funding
Pro-increased funding. Wants to expand pay and benefits to cops. Wants to keep people with mental illnesses out of jails and wants a clinic in the jail. Wants transparency about jail deaths and an independent audit.
ICE Cooperation
No mention of opposition to police collaboration with ICE.
FUNDING
Total Raised
$ 21,456
(
6
% of total funds in this race)
ENDORSEMENTS
> Prevent Gun Tragedies PAC
[ CAMPAIGN
]
[ SOCIAL
]
A former state senate candidate and Department of Justice lawyer. Has iterated support for universal healthcare but has positioned himself against "missing middle" zoning reform. Just like his previous run for State Senate, this campaign comes off as unserious and not well thought out.
WHERE THEY STAND
Ceasefire Resolution
No mention during current events, but in 2023 Senate run said he was a strong supporter of Israel.
Tenant Protections
No mention on tenant protections, but advocates for more shelters for the unhoused. Said it was a "shame" that the county board kicked squatters out of the Key Bridge Mariott.
Police Funding
Supports additional police funding & hiring. Did represent BLM protestors as an attorney, but wants to fill police vacanies however possible.
ICE Cooperation
Says he supports "more immigration" and is an immigration lawyer; but has made little mention of ICE.
FUNDING
Total Raised
$ 39,961
(
10
% of total funds in this race)
ENDORSEMENTS
> none identified
[ CAMPAIGN
]
[ SOCIAL
]
A former candidate for Arlington County Board in 2023, Roy is a 33 year resident of Arlington in the Lyon Park neighborhood. Roy owns her real estate agency, and over the past two years made it point to stake opposition to "Missing Middle" zoning reform. Comes off as a type of Democrat who runs as such because they can't win as anything else.
WHERE THEY STAND
Ceasefire Resolution
Has made no comment on support for a ceasefire resolution.
Tenant Protections
No recorded commentary on tenant protections, but given backing in real-estate, maybe better to assume the worst.
Police Funding
Stated support for increased police funding, mentioning specifically higher pay for sheriffs.
ICE Cooperation
Has made no comment on position on ICE.
FUNDING
Total Raised
$ 138,968
(
36
% of total funds in this race)
ENDORSEMENTS
> Moms Demand Action
[ CAMPAIGN
]
[ SOCIAL
]
Alexandria City Council
(11 candidates, 6 votes)
Canek Aguirre
Democrat
Progressive Backed
Labor Backed
Socialist Backed
Jesse O'Connell
Democrat
Progressive Backed
Labor Backed
Socialist Backed
Sarah Bagley
Democrat
Progressive Backed
Labor Backed
Socialist Backed
Kirk McPike
Democrat
Progressive Backed
Labor Backed
Socialist Backed
John Chapman
Democrat
Progressive Backed
Labor Backed
Socialist Backed
Abdel Elnoubi
Democrat
Progressive Backed
Labor Backed
Socialist Backed
James Lewis
Democrat
Progressive Backed
Labor Backed
Socialist Backed
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Jacinta Greene
Democrat
Progressive Backed
Labor Backed
Socialist Backed
Charlotte Scherer
Democrat
Progressive Backed
Labor Backed
Socialist Backed
Jonathan Huskey
Progressive Backed
Labor Backed
Socialist Backed
Kevin Harris
Democrat
Progressive Backed
Labor Backed
Socialist Backed
First elected to the Alexandria City Council in 2018 and re-elected in 2021. He is the first Latino to serve on the Council. He previously served as President of the Tenants and Workers United (TWU) Board of Directors. Often called the "Communist" of the Council, Canek is neither a communist nor a socialist. However, he is the most progressive incumbent on the city council.
WHERE THEY STAND
Ceasefire Resolution
Supports passing a ceasefire resolution.
Tenant Protections
Supports expanded tenant protections and has identified as a priority.
Police Funding
No clear position identified on police funding.
ICE Cooperation
Has pledged not to voluntarily cooperate with ICE.
FUNDING
Total Raised
$ 81,356
(
12
% of total funds in this race)
ENDORSEMENTS
> NoVA Labor
> ATU Local 689
> UNITE HERE
> IBEW Local 216
> Mid-Atlantic Pipetrades Assoc.
> Sierra Club
> New Virginia Majority
> Juntos Por Virginia
> Moms Demand Action
> NoVA Assoc. of Realtors
[ CAMPAIGN
]
[ SOCIAL
]
O'Connell graduated from Georgetown University and lives in Del Ray. He sits on many local boards, including the Alexandria Transit Company, Scholarship Fund of Alexandria December, and Hopkins House Learning Center for Children, Youth, and Families.
WHERE THEY STAND
Ceasefire Resolution
Does not support a ceasefire resolution.
Tenant Protections
No clear position on tenant protections.
Police Funding
No clear position on police funding.
ICE Cooperation
Opposed to voluntary ICE cooperation.
FUNDING
Total Raised
$ 108,538
(
16
% of total funds in this race)
ENDORSEMENTS
> NoVA Labor
> ATU Local 689
> UNITE HERE 23
> UNITE HERE 25
> IAFF Local 2141
> IBEW Local 216
> EASRCC
> Sierra Club
> Vote Pro Choice
[ CAMPAIGN
]
[ SOCIAL
]
Born and raised in Virginia, Bagley is up for reelection. She is a housing nonprofit executive director and has held leadership roles for Moms Demand Action and the Alexandria Democratic Committee. Her ideology is not a coherent or consist progressivism, vacillating between progressivism between individual issues.
WHERE THEY STAND
Ceasefire Resolution
No, does not support a ceasefire resolution.
Tenant Protections
No direct mention, but says housing is a human right. She is also the executive director of a housing nonprofit that connects residents to affordable housing resources.
Police Funding
Advocate for funding and partnership with law enforcement on some gun control measures. Wants the Community Police Review Board to have reps from marginalized communities to "embrace police accountability."
ICE Cooperation
Supports voluntary ICE cooperation.
FUNDING
Total Raised
$ 73,179
(
11
% of total funds in this race)
ENDORSEMENTS
> NoVA Labor
> ATU Local 689
> UNITE HERE
> IBEW Local 216
> LiUNA!
> Mid-Atlantic Pipetrades Assoc.
> EASRCC
> Sierra Club
> Vote Pro-Choice
> VA LGBTQ+ Democrats
> New Virginia Majority
> NoVA Realtors PAC
[ CAMPAIGN
]
[ SOCIAL
]
This name is not fake. In fact, McPike has been a member of the Alexandria City Council since 2021. He is been an Alexandria resident for over a decade and lives in Seminary Hill. He works as California Rep. Mark Takano's Chief of Staff in Congress. As an incumbent, he has shown that he prefers to play nice rather than lead on charting progressive issues.
WHERE THEY STAND
Ceasefire Resolution
Does not support a ceasefire resolution.
Tenant Protections
No recorded comments or preoccupation identified regarding tenants right.
Police Funding
Supports wasting more money on police spending.
ICE Cooperation
Pro-ICE
FUNDING
Total Raised
$ 103,689
(
15
% of total funds in this race)
ENDORSEMENTS
> NoVA Labor
> Unite Here!
> ATU Local 689
> IAFF Local 2141
> IBEW Local 216
> Mid-Atlantic Pipe Trades Assoc.
> NoVA Assoc. of Realtors
[ CAMPAIGN
]
[ SOCIAL
]
Chapman is a fourth generation Alexandrian, career educator and former President of the Alexandria NAACP. He also owns an Alexandria tour company. As longest serving current member of the city council, he has come to tolerate all of the other city councilors he has served with, along with their various ideologies, and does the same when interacting with constituents and their concerns.
WHERE THEY STAND
Ceasefire Resolution
Supports passing a ceasefire resolution.
Tenant Protections
No mention of tenant protections, but has previously voiced general support for expanding affordable housing options.
Police Funding
No clear positioning on police funding.
ICE Cooperation
Supports voluntary cooperation with ICE
FUNDING
Total Raised
$ 68,290
(
10
% of total funds in this race)
ENDORSEMENTS
> NoVA Labor
> ATU Local 689
> UNITE HERE
> IAFF Local 2141
> IBEW Local 216
> LiUNA!
> Mid-Atlantic Pipetrades Assoc.
> Sierra Club
> NoVA Assoc. of Realtors
[ CAMPAIGN
]
[ SOCIAL
]
Elnoubi is a current member of the Alexandria City School Board. He is from Chicago, with family from Alexandria, Egypt. He works as an engineering project manager at WMATA. He does not seem to have a coherent progressive ideology that he follows, reflecting a lack of endorsements from progressive organizations.
WHERE THEY STAND
Ceasefire Resolution
Supports a ceasefire resolution.
Tenant Protections
No clear position on tenant protections. (Only seems to talk about housing, not renting.)
Police Funding
Supports increased police funding, but also calls for more transparency and "reform."
ICE Cooperation
Skeptical of working with ICE, but undecided on cooperation with ICE.
FUNDING
Total Raised
$ 73,401
(
11
% of total funds in this race)
ENDORSEMENTS
> NoVA Labor
> ATU Local 689
> UNITE HERE
> IBEW Local 216
> EASRCC
[ CAMPAIGN
]
[ SOCIAL
]
Lewis is an Alexandria resident of 14 years and currently lives in the West End. He works as a pharmacutical consultant. He is the Chair of the Alexandria Traffic and Parking Board, as well as the Vice President of the West End Business Association. He is running as a progressive, but comes off as someone who wants to climb the political ladder more than out of commitment to serious progress.
WHERE THEY STAND
Ceasefire Resolution
Supports a ceasefire resolution.
Tenant Protections
against tenant protections (entirely focused on home ownership instead)
Police Funding
no comment
ICE Cooperation
anti-ICE
FUNDING
Total Raised
$ 42,270
(
6
% of total funds in this race)
ENDORSEMENTS
> NoVA Labor
> IAFF Local 2141
> IBEW Local 216
> EASRCC
> Sierra Club
> Vote Pro Choice
[ CAMPAIGN
]
[ SOCIAL
]
Greene is a current member of the Alexandria City School Board. She is from Richmond, and currently works as a self employed marketing consultant and meeting planner. She seems to be running her campaign with the hope that being on the school board is enough to motivate a victory, as she has struggled raise funds or attract endorsements.
WHERE THEY STAND
Ceasefire Resolution
Supports a ceasefire resolution.
Tenant Protections
Little commentary on tenant protections, but does talk about expanding affordable housing and homeless shelters.
Police Funding
No clear position on police funding.
ICE Cooperation
No clear positioning on ICE.
FUNDING
Total Raised
$ 13,889
(
2
% of total funds in this race)
ENDORSEMENTS
> NoVA Labor
> Teachers Unify to End Gun Violence
[ CAMPAIGN
]
[ SOCIAL
]
Charolette Scherer, former Magistrate and Former Assistant Public Defender for Alexandria is seeking election to Alexandria City Council.
WHERE THEY STAND
Ceasefire Resolution
Supports a ceasefire resolution and the Alexandria Human Rights Commission statement on the ceasefire resolution.
Tenant Protections
No mention. Supports vague housing solutions on both supply and demand sides of the housing market.
Police Funding
Supports community-based policing and more police on the streets. Supports dumping more money into merit-retention bonuses, as well as more specialized professional programs for police.
ICE Cooperation
No clear position on ICE cooperation.
FUNDING
Total Raised
$ 42,867
(
6
% of total funds in this race)
ENDORSEMENTS
> L(GBTQ)PAC
[ CAMPAIGN
]
[ SOCIAL
]
Was part of the coalition to stop the Potomac Yards Arena; Communications Director at the State Revenue Alliance, a national group that supports state-based community, labor and policy organizations that advocate for progressive tax policy, and additional revenue for community needs, in state legislatures across the country; has also previously worked with SEIU
WHERE THEY STAND
Ceasefire Resolution
Does not support a ceasefire resolution
Tenant Protections
Supports a broader conception of affordable housing, including limited equity, cooperatives, and new (social?) models for building construction. Unclear positioning on tenant right expansion.
Police Funding
No clear positioning on police funding.
ICE Cooperation
Would not voluntarily cooperate with ICE.
FUNDING
Total Raised
$ 45,271
(
7
% of total funds in this race)
ENDORSEMENTS
> no endorsements ID'd
[ CAMPAIGN
]
[ SOCIAL
]
Harris was a former candidate for Alexandria City Council in 2021 and is a lifelong resident of Alexandria. He is a commissioner for ARHA, a local business owner, and a minister. After falling just short of the City Council by a few hundred votes, this year is believed to be Harris' lucky year. However, his prospects have dimmed from a lackluster fundraising round.
WHERE THEY STAND
Ceasefire Resolution
Does not support a ceasefire resolution.
Tenant Protections
No clear policy outlined for tenant protections.
Police Funding
No clear position identified on police funding.
ICE Cooperation
Would not voluntarily cooperate with ICE.
FUNDING
Total Raised
$ 19,853
(
3
% of total funds in this race)
ENDORSEMENTS
> NoVA Labor
> ATU Local 689
> IAFF Local 2141
> ARHA Resident Assoc.
> New Virginia Majority
[ CAMPAIGN
]
[ SOCIAL
]
Alexandria Mayor
(3 candidates, 1 vote)
Alyia Gaskins
Democrat
Progressive Backed
Labor Backed
Socialist Backed
Current member of the Alexandria City Council. A close ally of the outgoing Mayor, with some different in ideological position. Gaskins might be hoping to use the Mayoral position to later launch a larger political career outside of local politics. Her demeanor can appear disingenuous at times, as she will listen to constituents on issues, but on disagreement will simply nod her head and say nothing of substance in response.
WHERE THEY STAND
Ceasefire Resolution
No. Mentioned the Council was discussing a ceasefire reso on Mar 30, but no movement since.
Tenant Protections
Her website states that she wants to protect and expand tenet rights, as well as prevent displacement.
Police Funding
Website states desire to expand investment of first responders, including APD and Sheriff’s Office. Part of the current council who is pushing for more police funding.
ICE Cooperation
Pro-ICE
FUNDING
Total Raised
$ 317,316
(
52
% of total funds in this race)
ENDORSEMENTS
> NoVA Labor
> Mid-Atlantic Pipe Trades Assoc
> Unite Here!
> IAFF Local 2141
> EASRCC
> Sierra Club
> New Virginia Majority
> 314 Action Fund
> Greater Greater Washington
> NoVA Realtors PAC
> YIMBYs of NOVA
[ CAMPAIGN
]
[ SOCIAL
]