Tania Hossain

At this time when the county Democratic party is actively engaging in our election it's time to  look at what being an independent city really means   During the early 50 and 60s Northern Virginia was involved in a scramble for territory.  Alexandria and Falls Church were attempting to take land from Fairfax County. Fairfax county’s  plan was to turn the entire county into a massive city. This would have frozen the counties  borders and stopped any attempt by other jurisdictions too claim county territory.  John C Wood had grave concerns about the future of the Town of Fairfax.

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.

I have been a social worker, primarily in local government, for more than 30 years. I understand how people and their environments interact, and how government can help shape those relationships. Serving on the Fairfax City Council feels like a natural extension of this. I can bring a balanced approach considering various perspectives, such as those of residents (both owners and renters), business owners, City staff, visitors, and potential future residents, along with various interests such as housing, environment, development, education, safety, transportation, amenities and more. One of my priorities will be to help the City determine a path forward for development as there are many options being presented to us. We need to keep moving in a positive direction, replacing aging buildings and asphalt parking lots with new commercial and residential space in a way that stays true to our personality and culture. Another priority is about creative and diverse options to support housing – for long-time residents and those who wish to move here; for younger and older residents; residents from various backgrounds and various income levels. I want to be a part of continuing to strengthen and diversify our housing options. The third priority is about strengthening trust and stability in government. I want to explore changes to the City charter considering staggered terms, and potentially longer terms, for Council members. I want to explore the role of the Mayor in decision-making. I also want to ensure that the Council works closely with City staff to continue providing many and varied opportunities for residents and business owners to be heard and for their input to help shape the future of the City.

It is the honor of a lifetime to represent you on City Council. Thank you for your support and I hope to continue to show up for you. I currently co-lead the Move Fairfax Steering Committee, which is focused on addressing traffic circulation in Old Town and pedestrian safety across the city. Additionally, I serve on the Finance Committee, and Water and Air Quality committees with the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments and the Virginia Municipal League. As the son of an Army veteran, the importance of service is core to who I am as a person. As the son of an Eritrean immigrant, my mom opened my perspective to the diverse communities of the world, many of which reside here in the city. And as a husband and new homeowner, moving out of our apartment at Layton Hall, I look forward to raising my family here and hope that the needs of the next generation are represented fairly as we balance that with the needs of our residents. My background in local government makes me well-suited to the more difficult conversations we face and will face in the coming years. Having worked for both political parties and in both the public and private sectors, I am uniquely suited to navigating our challenges as it comes to budgeting, housing and development, and the economy and our small business needs. More importantly, it defines my temperament and allows me to also navigate the complexities of council, working to balance competing interests and to value the often-lost art of compromise while still being decisive. Learn more at www.anthonytamos.org

I did not run for City Council to simply go along with every proposal placed in front of us. I ran to ask questions, challenge assumptions, and make decisions based on what I believe is best for the people who call Fairfax City home. As a resident, mother, small-business owner, former School Board member, and now Council member, I see our city from many perspectives. I understand that Fairfax must evolve, but I also believe progress should be measured by more than how much we build or spend. My approach is practical: protect taxpayers, support excellent schools and public safety, strengthen our local businesses, invest responsibly in infrastructure, and pursue redevelopment that adds lasting value without sacrificing the character and quality of life that make people choose Fairfax. I am not afraid to vote no when the numbers, impacts, or community benefit do not make sense. I am equally willing to say yes to investments that move Fairfax forward. I am seeking reelection because there is more work to do, and Fairfax deserves an independent voice willing to listen, dig into the details, and put our city first.

Fairfax is my home, and it is the only home my children have ever known. I am seeking reelection because I want to protect what makes our city special while helping Fairfax responsibly meet the financial, infrastructure and development challenges ahead. During my first term, I have approached every issue with the same commitment: listen to residents, study the facts, ask difficult questions and be honest about the tradeoffs. I have worked to make our budget and long-term obligations easier to understand, supported stronger protections for public safety, advocated for continued investment in our schools, and pushed for meaningful resident engagement before major decisions are made. My record also shows that I do not begin with a predetermined “yes” or “no.” I raised concerns about the early financial outlook for the Willard-Sherwood Health and Community Center, then supported it after a stronger county partnership and cost-recovery plan substantially reduced the projected burden on city taxpayers. I opposed the full George Snyder Trail because I believed its environmental impact and loss of hundreds of trees were too great. Asking questions is not obstruction; it is the responsibility that comes with representing our residents. I bring financial experience, knowledge of our schools and a deep connection to this community. I will continue working for transparent government, responsible stewardship of tax dollars, safe neighborhoods, excellent schools, thoughtful development and protection of our green spaces. This is YOUR city, and YOUR voice matters. Please visit my website StacyForFairfax.com.

I am running for Mayor because I love this city and care deeply about its future. Fairfax has tremendous opportunities to remain a great place to live and become even better. But that will depend on important decisions and collaboration over the next few years among our community, the City, the City Council, and our many private and community partners. I believe Fairfax needs a Mayor who is experienced, skilled, patient and trusted to help people with different perspectives work together to achieve what is best for our city. Serving as a City Council member has taught me that there is no substitute for experience as an elected official. The decisions become very real. People depend on you—their safety, finances, neighborhoods, children and future. I have cast more than 200 votes affecting our residents, including many difficult ones, and I understand both the responsibility Council members carry and the support a Mayor can provide through active facilitation and collaboration. I also bring 44 years of experience across government, business, nonprofit leadership and higher education, including work at the White House, U.S. Senate and EPA. Much of my career has involved helping diverse people and organizations work through difficult public decisions. Through my service on eight regional boards and commissions, I also understand that Fairfax is part of a larger regional community requiring strong coordination and collaboration.