On August 31,2026, The Independent News Press invited the City of Fairfax Mayoral and City Council Candidates Questionnaire to participate in our very first questionnaire. This questionnaire was designed to give City of Fairfax voters an opportunity to hear directly from the candidates seeking to lead their City on matters of public affairs.

Beginning July 1, a typical Dominion residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity each month saw bills increase by about $8 because of higher fuel costs. Combined with an earlier approved base-rate increase of $8.51 per month, average monthly bills are expected to rise by nearly $19, or about 14%, in 2026.

Former State Senator Janet Howell was a force to be reckoned with. For 32 years in the Virginia Senate, the Reston Democrat fought against injustice, championed Northern Virginia and helped shape policies affecting residents across the Commonwealth

RICHMOND, VA - The Republican Party of Virginia has certified three candidates to compete in the party's Aug. 4 primary for the U.S. Senate nomination, setting the stage for a contest that will determine who will challenge incumbent Democratic Sen. Mark Warner in the general election on Nov. 3. 

City of Fairfax, VA - The Fiscal Year 2027 (FY2027) budget for City of Fairfax outlines a broad financial plan that increases funding for schools, infrastructure, and public services while relying on a diversified set of revenue sources. Rather than a single large tax hike, the city spreads revenue adjustments across property taxes, business taxes, meals tax, hotel tax, and utility fees, creating a gradual but noticeable increase in overall costs for residents and businesses.

City officials have introduced a proposed FY2027 budget of approximately $207.5 million, representing about a 4.5% increase over the current year. The proposal is driven largely by rising costs in education, debt service, and employee compensation.

I'm running for City Council because I believe Fairfax deserves Council members who will listen to them, work respectfully with others, and make decisions based on facts. My goal is to protect what makes Fairfax special while preparing us for a strong and sustainable future. I bring a mix of executive leadership, financial discipline, and a pragmatic approach to solving problems. Whether we are discussing development, transportation, housing, or the city budget, my approach is simple: look at the facts, talk with residents and business owners early, and focus on outcomes that benefit our community. Listening is only step one. The valuable work is taking what you hear, pairing it with real data, and integrating it to make win-win solutions. Public input can often feel like a box-checking exercise after a decision is already made- I want residents to know their feedback shapes the final outcome.

Hello City of Fairfax. My name is Steve S. Chang. I am running for Fairfax City Council because my wife Jie and I love this community and want to help ensure that Fairfax remains a welcoming, thriving, and financially responsible city. My campaign has been about building relationships with each City resident. In my eagerness to talk to you, I get so excited when I head out to door knock every day. Because public policy requires people and without people, we don’t have a City. You are important to me. And I can make one true promise to you that my door will open for you when you knock on mine. My background spans business, non-profit leadership, Christian ministry, and community service. After pursuing doctoral studies in theoretical physics, I founded several businesses, including an IT company. I later founded Global Mission Church of Virginia and am one of four owners of The Independent News Press. My commitment to Put Fairfax First focuses on community-driven leadership, fiscal responsibility, support for local businesses, environmental stewardship, and safe neighborhoods. I believe residents deserve meaningful input on decisions, and taxpayer resources must be managed carefully. As Fairfax evolves, we must balance growth with protecting neighborhood identity, green spaces, and public services. Working alongside residents, city staff, the Mayor, and Council, I will seek practical, enduring solutions through respectful partnership. Please visit my website chang4fairfax.com for more information. This City has given much to my family, and I am eager to give back. I would love to grab a cup of coffee or wine so please sign up for my events. Please welcome to my website to sign up for events at chang4fairfax.com. I would be honored and grateful to earn your vote on November 3.

Since settling in Fairfax City in 2002, my life has been dedicated to connecting people, cultures, and institutions. As a proud resident, immigrant, dedicated community organizer, and full-time public servant working in Human Services at the Fairfax County Health Department, I am running for City Council because our local government must reflect and uplift our diverse, multicultural community. My professional career gives me firsthand insight into the systemic health, welfare, and infrastructure challenges our local neighborhoods are experiencing. True progress requires solutions-oriented leadership, inclusivity, and unwavering systemic accountability. My platform focuses on breaking down linguistic and structural barriers, ensuring every working family has a powerful voice in local governance. Additionally, my extensive background in labor advocacy—including serving as Director of SEIU Virginia 512 Fairfax, leading the historic unionization vote for nearly 12,000 county employees, and negotiating Virginia’s first-ever public collective bargaining contract demonstrates my proven ability to bring stakeholders together and deliver tangible, systemic results. On the City Council, I will tackle the pressing issues on behalf of our community. My priorities include supporting our schools and teachers, expanding local housing protections and affordability, passing a Worker Retention ordinance to safeguard contracted service workers, and protecting collective bargaining options for city employees. I am also committed to ADA compliance across public spaces, expanding access to public transportation, and enacting equity-focused budgeting that ensures public dollars are distributed responsibly and effectively.

I’m running for City Council because the character and quality of life in the City of Fairfax matter to me. Our shared future belongs to the people who live here now and those who are to come. For that reason, our city is best served by thoughtful, inclusive debate on how we can address the needs of residents and businesses now and into the future. We need to return to more collaborative governance and commit to transparent decision-making. I want to hear all voices and different points of view – homeowners, renters, neighborhoods, businesses, old, young, new to the city, long-timers – and not just the voices of a select few – and I am ready to do the hard work of building consensus on council and in the community at large to deliver practical, fiscally responsible solutions that keep our city beautiful, livable, and safe for all of us. I will bring a business perspective to governance, as well as that of a resident and taxpayer. Fairfax City once enjoyed a healthy revenue ratio of 60% business and 40% residential taxes and fees. Today it is reversed: Residents provide 65% and businesses provide 35% of the city’s revenue. I believe we can grow our economy and address residential housing needs while preserving our natural resources and the unique character and quality of life that makes Fairfax City home. Fairfax works best when we work together. Our city belongs to all of us, and the best decisions come from listening to one another, respecting different points of view, and finding common ground. That’s the kind of leadership I’ll bring to City Hall. I’m excited about what we can accomplish when we focus on what unites us—and I’m asking for your vote on Nov. 3 to help make that vision a reality.

Hello, my name is Russell Jones, currently a member on the BZA board, I feel that over the last few city councils the direction the city is going is not in the best interests of the city residents. I felt compelled to run to see if I can do anything to change this. I'm the dark horse in this race. With no real political experience, no money and no backing, I'll find out if a long time resident can have a voice.

I'm running for Fairfax City Council because experience, collaboration, and a real commitment to this community matter. I bring all three. Fairfax has been my home for 15 years. What I love is that it's still a place where people show up for each other, local businesses know their customers by name, and one person can actually make a difference. If you care about your community, you should be willing to roll up your sleeves and help. That's led me to serve on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, work with the Old Town Fairfax Business Association, volunteer at community events, support local businesses, and create Fairfax 411 to help residents understand what's happening in their local government. That involvement has also made me a familiar face. People stop me around the City to ask questions or share what's on their mind, whether I'm at a festival, the grocery store, or the gym. I don't always have the answer on the spot, but I know how to find it and who to ask. That's the kind of conduit I want to be on Council: approachable, responsive, and honest when I don't know something yet. I'm running because I want to put my experience to work for this community and help it move forward. I bring nearly 20 years of professional local government and planning experience, and I know this community. I understand how local government actually works, and I know good ideas don't mean much without follow-through. Fairfax is my home. I've spent years finding ways to contribute, and I'd be honored to continue that as a member of City Council. But I'll keep finding ways to serve this community either way.