Arlington’s Del. McClure, Hope, and Lopez announced their bids for re-election. Hope faces a challenge from Arjoon Srikanth. The Democratic School Board field includes Bryant and Prakash, and Young Republicans elected new leadership. Contested primary nominations will be decided in June 2023, with key elections upcoming for various offices in 2024 and 2025.
Last week, Arlington’s delegation to the Virginia House of Delegates announced their re-election bids. Delegates Adele McClure (D-2), Patrick Hope (D-1), and Alfonso Lopez (D-3) confirmed their intentions at the Arlington County Democratic Committee meeting following the conclusion of the legislative session. McClure emphasized the importance of continuing their work by stating, “There is still so much to do, especially now. Each person knows exactly what we are up against.”
Hope, a senior member, expressed confidence in his abilities to deliver effective results for the county, remarking, “I’ve delivered for Arlington and I know how to get things done.” Lopez underscored his commitment to Arlington values, stating, “There’s nothing more rewarding than helping people. We need to create more prosperity in a way where everyone wins.” All three delegates represent Democratic strongholds, making them favorites for re-election. Currently, both McClure and Lopez face no intra-party challenges, while Hope faces competition from Arjoon Srikanth, who launched a challenge on February 5.
The deadline for Democratic candidates to file is April 3, with contested nominations set for a June 17 primary. Meanwhile, the Virginia Senate seats, including those held by Senators Barbara Favola and Adam Ebbin, will not be contested until 2027. Democrats presently maintain slim majorities in both legislative houses, and they are also preparing for races for governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general. Kip Malinosky, a former county Democratic chair, noted, “We’re well-positioned to win. We need turnout, we need margin, we need to make sure we vote up and down the ballot.”
In school board news, the Democratic field currently includes two candidates: Monique “Moe” Bryant and June Prakash. Both announced their candidacies at the February 5 Democratic Committee meeting. They will compete in caucus voting from April 19 to May 10, with the winner passing on to the general election on November 4. This election follows the decision of incumbent Mary Kadera not to seek re-election, leaving her seat as the only one on the ballot. Virginia’s school board positions are classified as nonpartisan, with candidates required to file by mid-June for the general election.
Lastly, the Arlington-Alexandria-Falls Church Young Republicans elected new leadership, placing Daniel Turner as chair for 2025, with Danielle Kochar as vice chair. Other positions filled include treasurer Vikram Prasad, secretary Brigette Maggio, and director of communications Katelyn Stotzky. GOP leaders stated these young leaders would continue to organize efforts to galvanize support during the 2025 election cycle, with their next meeting scheduled for March 17.
The article covers the re-election announcements of Arlington’s House Delegates, the ongoing school board race, and the leadership elections within the Young Republicans. McClure, Hope, and Lopez are poised to maintain their seats due to the Democratic dominance in local politics. The candidacy of Bryant and Prakash for the School Board and the involvement of Young Republicans indicate active political engagement in the community.
Original Source: www.arlnow.com
