There is a real news story behind the City of Fairfax Democratic Committee “recommendation” and slate posted last month, but it isn’t being told.
This year the Democratic Party of VA told county and city party committees they couldn’t endorse candidates without a primary (see, the publicly available, 2026 DVPA Party Plan*). The City of Fairfax dem committee decided to “recommend” instead. The practical difference is probably nothing (since a “recommendation” so far results in the same support and presence on the dem sample ballot as an endorsement does*), but there are some key points to note. The city dem committee had a questionnaire on their website for individuals interested in party endorsement or support, and a handful of candidates responded to that questionnaire: Anthony Amos, Sandra Slappey Brown, Maria Padmore, and Kelly O’Brien. Everyone who responded to the CFDC questionnaire ended up on the recommendation list – along with Kirsten Lockhart. The endorsement committee for the city dems is tiny (5 people*).
Two years ago the city dem committee orchestrated attacks against Amos for being a republican. They orchestrated attacks against other candidates – including me – with completely false and harmful posts. They also decided not to endorse Amini Bonane (in 2024) an incredibly active Democrat who worked on countless campaigns, and Joe Harmon (in 2022) who was a former chair of the city dem committee (to be clear Bonane & Harmon didn’t ask for endorsement, but neither did others who have been endorsed in prior years or recommended this year*). What changed in two years for the city dem committee, from attacking Amos as a republican to now endorsing him? It’s unclear – but his voting in support of the GST, high density development, and a higher tax rate are probably the most important factors.
Across the country voters are telling us they are tired of the two parties failing to represent them, failing to follow through with campaign promises, failing to lower the cost of living, failing the environment, and failing to govern ethically and transparently. Amos and Lockhart are the only city dem “recommended” candidates with a voting record and they both consistently support high density development, the destruction of trees and forests, and increasing taxes.
Last election, 2024, the 11th district dem committee got involved (Gerry Connolly’s district RIP), and they paid for attacks against city local candidates. They also paid for and mailed a city sample ballot with endorsements which included Peterson, Hall and McQuillen – who are now not recommended by the city dems. There appears to be no consistency and no transparency in how these local dem committees select who is endorsed or recommended. Which may be why the state party chair said no more local party endorsements.
My recommendation is to look at voting records, candidate websites, ask pointed questions, and preserve independent elections in our city. You can email all the candidates and ask for direct responses about the issues you care about – if they won’t respond to you when they are asking for your vote, do you think they will after the election?
I know all the candidates have democratic beliefs – the key dividing issues in 2026 are high density development, environmental preservation, and cost of living. Look at Amos’ and Lockhart’s voting records – if you support high density development (i.e. 11 story apartment buildings at Fairfax circle that negatively impact existing small businesses), then they are your candidates. They also both supported destroying 100 acres of forest with a paved road through the forest called “GST.” And Amos voted for a higher advertised tax rate than the city manager asked for.
The city dems may try the false attacks approach again, but I know our voters are smarter than that. I’m guessing they will put out false info about the GST and the required payback. The truth is that Peterson, Hall, and McQuillen had the guts to preserve 100 acres of the last contiguous forest in our city at a cost of $35,000 per acre. That’s in comparison to an approved $20 million increase in cost for the Willard Sherwood project to preserve 1 acre of Van Dyke Park. The city-selected construction firm for the “GST” was from Pittsburgh – no local dollars to local business. The costs to operate and maintain the “GST” were never accurately calculated and would have quickly surpassed the payback amount. And the resulting flooding, heat, and decreased air quality would also severely negatively impact all residents.
I want elected leaders who respond to emails, ask tough questions, care about preserving the environment, and won’t unnecessarily increase our cost of living. I can see from the voting record and service on the dais that Peterson, Hall and McQuillen are leaders who do that. I believe Lough, Kuiler and Chang will also. But please, do your research and talk to your neighbors.
*The CFDC provided a response to my op-ed with one factual correction that the selection committee had 5 individuals not 3, so I made an update. They provided additional thoughts about what I “insinuated” so I added some clarifying information to hopefully eliminate any confusion. What I’ve written is backed up by evidence, including screenshots of attacks with the 11th district authorization statement, screenshots of attacks posted by CFDC, and informed by conversations with CFDC members, as well as my own experiences running for office in the City.
[Kate Doyle Feingold is a resident of the City of Fairfax and former City Council member]
