Meet The Candidate: Audrey Clement For Arlington County Board

ARLINGTON, VA — In addition to voting for the president and vice president, one member of the U.S. Senate, member of the U.S. House of Representatives from the 8th congressional district, the Arlington County Board and School Board, two amendments to the Constitution of Virginia, and five bond questions for Arlington County.

Audrey Clement is a 50-year-old SAS developer. She is running against Libby Garvey for one of the two County Board seats being contested in the 2020 election.

As part of its coverage of the 2020 election, Patch has asked each of the candidates in Arlington to fill out a questionnaire to describe why they think they're the best person to fill the job they're running for.

Candidate

Audrey Clement

Age (as of Election Day)

50

Town/City of Residence

Arlington

Office Sought

Local races (including city and towns councils, mayors and school board)

If you are running for a local office, or in a district, region or ward, please specify. (District 1, Ward 3, etc.)

Arlington

Party Affiliation

Independent

Family

Immediate family is deceased.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

Ph.D., Political Science

Occupation

SAS Developer, 25 years

Campaign website

www.AudreyClement.com

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Member, Arlington Transportation Commission

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

I oppose upzoning , because it will densify the County but provide no affordable housing.

Do you support Black Lives Matter and what are your thoughts on the demonstrations held since the death of George Floyd and the shooting of Jacob Blake?

While I agree with BLMs goals, I deplore the violence, looting and arson that has attended protest activities throughout the United States. Protestors aren’t just looting Chicago’s Magnificent Mile, and midtown Manhattan. They are torching Black business districts from coast to coast—destroying storefronts whose owners have no insurance to cover the damage. These protestors are inflicting untold harm not only on Black businesses but on the people of color who patronize them.

What are your thoughts on the campaign to "defund" the police?

I oppose defunding the police as a prescription for inflicting even more misery on the Black community. In 2020 alone numerous cities have reported an increase in crime due to efforts to defund the police.

What are your thoughts on the state and national response to the coronavirus pandemic? Do you favor such measures as limiting operation of non-essential businesses or restricting indoor/outdoor dining? And do you favor a nationwide mask mandate?

Yes to all of the above.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

My opponent supports upzoning, as it will provide more real estate tax revenue to the County.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

My opponent has approved every boondoggle considered by County Board since it rejected the $500 million Pike Trolley in 2014.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

I'm concerned about massive tree removal on public property, which has exacerbated runoff and flooding all over the County. Am also concerned that the Board routinely dismisses or discounts the impacts of major site plan development projects.

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

Though often raising serious concerns about the transportation impacts of major site plan projects submitted for its consideration, I have served as a dedicated member of the Transportation Commission since 2018. I welcome the counsel and advice of other Transportation Board members and wish that County Board would pay more attention to what they say.

If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office as a success?

Derail upzoning.

Why should voters trust you?

I have the interest of Arlington County, where I have resided for 16 years, at heart.

What are your views on fiscal policy, government spending and the use of taxpayer dollars in the office you are seeking?

I am a fiscal conservative, who specializes in identifying wasteful spending in the County Manager's annual budget proposal.

Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family?

No. I am interested in good government and believe that because of that, my long time involvement in civic affairs, and my Ph.D. in Political Science, I am qualified to serve the residents of Arlington County.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Jesse Jackson: "Don't get bitter. Get better."

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

One Party Rule = Tyranny