John Vihstadt Wins Four-Year Term on Arlington County Board

In heavily Democratic Arlington County, Republican John Vihstadt, running as an Independent, has won re-election Tuesday night on the Arlington County Board.

Running against Vihstadt was Alan Howze, a Democrat who lost to Vihstadt earlier this year in a special election. This time Vihstadt won four years on the board.

Vihstadt acknowledged in interviews after his win that his concerns raised about the controversial and what some say costly Columbia Pike streetcar project was one of the main reasons he won the election.

Here’s the vote breakdown from Tuesday, unofficial results from the State Board of Elections:

• Howze: 27,447 or 43.80%
• Vihstadt: 34,939 or 55.76%
• Write-in: 277 or .44%

Vihstadt, an attorney, has noted his 30 years experience as a community activist, his focus on spending priorities and his urge to provide some accountability when it comes to spending by the county.

Vihstadt had the endorsement of a number of Democrats as well as the endorsement of The Washington Post.

In its endorsement, the Post noted: “Whether Mr. Vihstadt prevails or not, it’s important for Arlington to have the debate; without him, the board runs the risk of groupthink.”

Running against Vihstadt was Howze, a Democrat who lost to Vihstadt earlier this year in a special election.

Howze reminded voters that the current board has no one under age 55 on it and if elected he would be the youngest member of the board and also he would be the only one with children who attend Arlington County public schools. He also noted that 60 percent of residents were age 20 to 50.

Howze was widely seen as pro-streetcar whereas Vihstadt has said he wants to put the brakes on it.

PHOTO: John Vihstadt Tuesday; photo courtesy of campaign