Politics & Government

Burke, West Springfield Voters Elect Barker, Cook

Area tips Democratic in key races.

Burke and West Springfield sent Senate Democrats back to Richmond victorious following Tuesday’s elections. Voters also by fewer than 400 votes in the in the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors race.

Also see:

  • : See results from the key races across southern Fairfax County.
  • : Election Day in Northern Virginia
  • See our full election coverage at burke.patch.com/topics/participate

Senate

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The Virginia Senate was split evenly, with 20 Democrats and 20 Republicans, by the end of the night.  Any tie votes would be broken by the Republican lieutenant governor. But one senate election in central Virginia may be headed for a recount, as fewer than 100 votes separated Republican Bryce E. Reeves and Democrat Edward "Edd" Houck in the 17th Senate district.

34th District – Petersen/Culipher

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Incumbent , a Democrat in the 34th senate district, defeated Gerarda Culipher with approximately 60 percent of the votes. Petersen has served in the Virginia State Senate since 2008.

Petersen, who grew up in Fairfax City, told Patch earlier this year solving transportation issues in the district has always been a priority. He's confident in the ongoing projects — namely the HOT lanes project, the Fair Lakes-Fairfax County Parkway interchange and Gallows Road improvements — and wants to continue to improve commutes, but said he stays realistic about the costs.

Culipher ran on the platform, "Cut your taxes, cut your commute, for your family." As a self-described bedrock conservative—endorsed by Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli (R)—Culipher said she believes it is possible to lower taxes and fix transportation issues in Northern Virginia. Keeping taxes low entices new taxpayers, whether corporate or individual, she told Patch. Culipher lived in Maryland for years before moving to Oakton three years ago.

35th District – Saslaw/Sarvis/Pettigrew

Dick Saslaw, the Democrat incumbent in the 35th district, fended off a challenge from Robert Sarvis, winning with more than 60 percent of the votes. Saslaw has served in the Virginia State Senate since 1980 (he was in the House of Delegates before that). Of the issues affecting the 35th district, Saslaw said transportation and education are two of his biggest concerns. Saslaw said he’s a big advocate for transportation and supports the Dulles metrorail projects and the HOT Lanes, which affect much of his district.

Sarvis, a resident of Annandale, also pegged transportation and education as central issues in his campaign. Returning control to the local governments instead of the state was also a priority for Sarvis. Independent Green candidate Katherine Pettigrew, who is on the faculty at George Mason University in the Chemistry department, was also on the ballot.

37th District – Marsden/Flanary

Incumbent Democrat faced Jason Flanary for the 37th district state senate seat and is returning to Richmond. Marsden, who received about 53.6 percent of the votes, had served in the House of Delegates from 2006 - 2009 and was sent to the Senate in a special election in January 2010. Marsden spent 17 years as chief administrator for the 121-bed Fairfax County Juvenile Detention Center in the 1980s and 1990s before getting into politics.

Transportation and the environment are among his key issues. “Finding a compromise on transportation funding that involves both party and regional differences has been a challenge,” Marsden said. “The south does not want to alleviate our transportation problems even though we fund 80 percent of their schools.

Flanary, a former marine, has worked for the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce and now works at ccAdvertising. This is his first time running for elected office. “I decided to stop yelling at the TV and run for office instead,” Flanary said. Flanary said that the key issue he is focusing on is transportation. “We need to look for creative ways to ease congestion,” Flanary said. Flanary also said that he would advocate for policies that support businesses.

39th District – Baker/Barker

In one of the evening's tighter races, Republican Miller Baker challenged incumbent Democrat George Barker for the 39th district seat. Barker pulled a win with 52.98 percent of the votes.

Barker has been a senator since 2008 and is an appellate lawyer specializing in Constitutional issues. Aside from a potential name-based confusion among constituents that pushed Barker to put out campaign signs emphasizing the ‘r’ in his last name, Baker and Barker were very different on the campaign’s central issues, such as how to spur job growth.

Baker's wife, Margaret Baker, told Patch earlier in the evening: "This is a very tight, close race. It's a 50-50 district, and we're feeling really good about the race that we've run."

At the end of the evening, Barker told Patch, "I'm thrilled that the people of the 39th District re-elected me."

House of Delegates

39th District – Watts/Kolazas

Vivian Watts, the 39th district delegate, won against Independent Green Party candidate Dimitris Kolazas. Watts, who received 76.53 percent of the votes, has served as a delegate since 1998. Watt is the former executive director of Fairfax County Court Appointed Special Advocates (for children), a non-profit organization, and was the Virginia Secretary of Transportation and Public Safety from 1986 to 1990. Transportation is still important to Watts.

“I believe the over 20 percent of drivers who aren't Virginia residents should be contributing through the gas tax, which hasn't been raised in 25 years and is well below all of our neighboring states.  In addition, I will continue to work with bi-partisan efforts to establish dedicated transportation revenue raised in Northern Virginia and kept in Northern Virginia,” Watts wrote on her website.

House 41 – Filler-Corn/Kane

Incumbent Delegate Eileen Filler-Corn faced a challenge from Libertarian Michael Kane for the 41st district seat. Filler-Corn won with 68.29 percent of the votes. Kane is the vice president of a small, local construction company. Filler-Corn has served in the House of Delegates since 2010 and focused in 2011 on protecting schools from major budget cuts.

House 42 – Albo/Dobbyn

Incumbent Republican won with approximately 62 percent of votes despite a tough challenge from Democrat in the 42nd district. Albo has served in the House of Delegates since 1994.

Earlier this year, Albo told Patch, “On fiscal matters, I'm about as far-right as you get, because I am a firm believer that government doesn't create jobs. People create jobs and businesses create jobs and everybody is better off if you can let the people and businesses create jobs.” Dobbyn is the chair of the Fairfax County Young Democrats and focused his campaign on improving transportation in southeastern Fairfax County.

Dobbyn told Patch Tuesday night: "It's been wonderful. I've learned so much about the issues that are important to people. … It's quality of life that people are here for, they're concerned about what's being done in Richmond. I'm thankful for all the help I've received. If I had to sum it up in one word, it would be thankful."

Fairfax County Board of Supervisors

In the Board of Supervisors chairperson’s race, incumbent Democrat Sharon Bulova retained her seat, defeating Republican Michael “Spike” Williams, Independent candidate Will Radle and Independent candidate Christopher DeCarlo.

In reference to both her own race and that of other Board of Supervisors candidtes, Bulova said Tuesday night, “I’m very pleased with the results.”

Bulova received 59.40 percent of the votes; Williams received 35.59 percent; DeCarlo received 3.40 and Radle received 1.53 percent.

Michael "Spike" Williams thanked his wife and supporters as he acknowledged his loss to Sharon Bulova at the Fairfax GOP party in Falls Church.

Last time DeCarlo ran he won one percent, and he told Patch he attributes his new success to his rap campaign video. "I'll run every year, " DeCarlo said, hinting that he might run for Congress in 2012.

In an emailed statement to Patch, Will Radle thanked those who voted for him.  "Yesterday, thousands of voters, including Democrats, Independents and Republicans, voted for an obscure candidate committed to uniting our community around our shared best interests, our highest values and investing in our greatest priorities.  How do we know?  They told us.  More voters would support our campaign if they knew of our cause and if they knew we can win and create a culture of listening.  We will organize and advocate the best future for families and our community."

Springfield District

In the Springfield district, Republican Patrick (“Pat”) Herrity ran unopposed. Herrity has served as Springfield District supervisor since 2008 and has a reputation for being fiscally conservative. He is the son of former Fairfax Board of County Supervisors Chairman Jack Herrity.

Braddock District

Republican incumbent to his second term as Braddock District Supervisor on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in what was largely considered one of the most contended races in the county.

"There are independent voices in the Braddock District, and our voices are going to be heard on the Board of Supervisors,” said Cook in his victory speech at the Fairfax County Republication Committee party at the Fairview Marriott in Falls Church.

"This race became a referendum on if a non-Bulova person could hold office in the Braddock District.  The answer is yes,” said Cook.

The Braddock race remained extremely close throughout the evening with Cook and Oleszek each taking the lead as precinct results came in. The two candidates were even split by as little as 100 votes at one point,. Independent candidate Carey Campbell carried only 2.8 percent, or just under 650 votes, of the total votes by the end of Tuesday evening.

Fairfax County Public Schools Board

In one of the most watched Fairfax County races this season, Ilryong Moon, Ryan McElveen and Ted Velkoff walked away with victories in the at-large school board race.

It was the "most intense" Fairfax County School Board race in years, and also among the largest. Seven candidates sought the board's three at-large seats, two of them vacated by incumbents who chose not to seek re-election.

Voters also approved a .

Braddock District

In the Braddock District, Megan McLaughlin defeated Nell J. Hurley. McLaughlin, who received close to 60 percent of the votes, has made a name for herself in local education advocacy through Fairfax Education Coalition, FAIRGRADE and Renovate Woodson Now (RENEW). FAIRGRADE, founded by McLaughlin and three others, petitioned the school system to re-evaluate grading policies. She also was on the leadership team of RENEW and co-founded the Fairfax Education Coalition.

Hurley, who is retired from the U.S. Navy, told Patch earlier this year that disaster preparedness is lacking in Fairfax Public Schools. She also wants to increase community input in school affairs, improve school instruction and reduce class sizes.

Springfield District

In the Springfield District, Elizabeth L. Schultz won, defeating John F. Wittman. Schultz received 58.8 percent of the votes. She was an outspoken advocate for the now-closed Clifton School, and she has children in pre-school, elementary, middle and high school.

Wittman served as chair of Fairfax County Public School’s business and community action committee for two and a half years.  He has also spent the last five years on the career and technical advisory committee. schultz: Burke Patch just reported in from the Republican party, where she talked to Elizabeth Schultz. "I am really tired, but also very emotional for all the races I've worked on throughout the campaign. ... I've been trying to change the culture from the beginning of the campaign all the way through. The environment is right. Taxpayers want change."

Other Races

In the Fairfax County sheriff’s race, Republican William Cooper challenged current Sheriff Stan Barry in a race that was fairly close throughout the evening. Barry won with 54.4, crediting his experience for the win. "Honestly, I think I had a long record that people could look at," Barry said.

Cooper is a former deputy sheriff lieutenant.  Barry has been Fairfax County Sheriff for 12 years, though there was a over Barry's participation in the DROP program.

Barry said the DROP attacks hurt his opponent, because people in Fairfax want a positive campaign.

"All of that stuff was just very negative," he said.

Current Commonwealth’s Attorney Raymond Morrogh, a Democrat, ran unopposed. Morrogh has been CA since 2007.

for three open positions for Fairfax County Soil and Water Conservation director in the Northern Virginia District. The agency's goal, according to its website, "is to promote clean streams and protected natural resources."  It is not a regulatory agency, but provides technical expertise in soils, conservation engineering, water quality and erosion control. George W. Lamb, John W. Peterson and Johna Good Gagnon won.


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