Matt de Ferranti Running For Reelection In Democratic Primary: Candidate Questionnaire

ARLINGTON, VA — Arlington County Board Member Matthew D. “Matt” de Ferranti says maintaining inclusive economic growth for all Arlington residents is the number one challenge facing the county.

To address this issue, de Ferranti has a three-part plan that includes helping federal employees impacted by layoffs find new jobs, diversifying Arlington's economy, and continuing to stand by labor.

"When collective bargaining power is strong, our community’s workforce can thrive," he said.

De Ferranti faces two challengers in the Aug. 4 Democratic Party primary James DeVita and Julie E. Farnam. Early voting begins on Thursday, June 18.

As part of its coverage of the 2026 election, Patch asked each of the candidates in the county board race to fill out a questionnaire to describe why they think they're the best person to represent their party on the Nov. 4 ballot. The following are de Ferranti's responses.

Your Name

Matthew D. “Matt” de Ferranti,

Position sought

County Board

Age as of Election Day

52

Campaign Website

https://mattforarlington.com

Family

My wife, Brooke, and I live in Rock Spring with our two young children and family dog.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

Yes, my father worked in international development and my mother was a lawyer at the Department of Justice.

Education

I have a B.A. in Public Policy and History from Duke University and a J.D. and Masters of Public Affairs from the University of Texas at Austin.

Occupation

I’ve been a member of the Arlington County Board for 7.5 years, since January 2019. Before working as a public servant for Arlington, I was a teacher, attorney, and then nonprofit leader, in both public policy and legislative roles.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Currently serve as the Chair of the Arlington County Board.

Why are you seeking elective office?

To serve our community and expand the opportunities available here, so all Arlington residents can live more equitably, and comfortably. In short, I want to see our community continue to thrive. For me, this mission begins and ends with the fundamentals - sustenance, housing, education, and a robust economy we can all participate in. There is nothing more motivating and meaningful to me than waking up each day to find ways to bring these important opportunities to life for all residents in our unique community.

The single most pressing issue facing Arlington County is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The single most pressing issue facing Arlington County is maintaining inclusive economic growth for our residents. I would like to address this issue across multiple dimensions.

1. First, so many of our Arlington residents work in and around the public sector, and federal workers have been disproportionately impacted by the Trump Administration’s cuts. I want to make sure we provide support to this community in particular, through resource fairs and dedicated services that provide relief during job transitions. This is why I worked to set aside $11.5 in budget reserves to offset job loss impacts to the community.
2. Diversifying our economy is another way we can strengthen Arlington and ensure there are consistent opportunities for growth in the midst of these uncertain times. I have been committed to this goal since joining the Arlington County Board, leading the Commercial Market Resiliency Initiative (CMRI) to convert empty office buildings into residential housing, and attracting companies like Costar to Rosslyn, that bring new jobs and economic activity. Supporting Amazon’s HQ2 development is also part of this strategy, as it has generated over $500 million for affordable housing without hotel tax incentives. Along these lines, I want to continue this valuable work by converting empty office space and redoubling efforts to attract new, vibrant companies to do business in Arlington.
3. Finally, I’m proud to stand with labor because when collective bargaining power is strong, our community’s workforce can thrive. I’ve lived up to these values by passing the Collective Bargaining Ordinance and Prevailing Wage Ordinance to protect workers’ rights, and by partnering with the Carpenter’s Union to prevent wage theft.

Looking ahead, I plan to use my roles on the Virginia Transportation Commission, Northern Virginia Regional Commission, and WMATA/Metro Board to address economic challenges related to transportation that no single community can solve alone. I’m focused on securing Arlington’s future by keeping our Metro sustainably funded.

What makes you the candidate who best represents the Democratic Party on the Nov. 3 ballot?

I am the candidate who best represents the Democratic Party on the November 3rd ballot because I am deeply committed to this community, have a proven record of getting results for Arlington through my prior experience working on and chairing the County Board, and because my ideas for the coming years align with strengthening opportunity for all Arlingtonians.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community?

No response provided.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Other issues that define my campaign platform are hunger, education, climate change, and housing. Education is very important to me because as a former teacher, I know how important it is for every child to have the chance to build the future they deserve. Climate action is needed to ensure a safe, livable future and we cannot wait for the federal government to take action on it first. Finally, affordable housing is critical, as it creates the foundation Arlingtonians need to maintain a sustainable lifestyle and put down roots in our community.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

Some of my accomplishments include helping to invest $150 million to preserve 1,300+ apartments at Barcroft for lower income families, developing a Food Security Strategic Plan as part of my role in the Hunger and Food Insecurity Working Group, passing more than $400,000 in funding for after-school programs serving students in need, and supporting a solar farm partnership with Dominion Energy, providing 79,000 megawatt-hours annually.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

One of my favorite comedians once said, “Work hard, be kind, and good things will happen." It’s a simple sentiment that I try to live by - especially in the interconnected world of local government. You can’t go wrong when you remember how important the basic decency of showing up, giving your all, and treating others respectfully along the way to making a positive difference in the world.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I have deep roots in Arlington and have always been very engaged through the Housing Commission, the Arlington Public Schools Budget Advisory Council, and the Joint Facilities Advisory Board. I believe change starts with each of you and the communities that make up Arlington, which is what initially drew me to get involved as a member of the County Board.