Democratic Field for Arlington Board Gets Bigger

The field of Democratic candidates seeking to succeed state Sen.-elect Barbara Favola on the Arlington County Board continues to grow.

In addition to the with the Arlington County Voter Registration Office -- Melissa Bondi, Terron Sims and Peter Fallon -- Arlington School Board member Libby Garvey announced this week that she was throwing her hat in the ring.

Garvey stated she will formally announce her intentions at the Dec. 7 meeting of the Arlington County Democratic Committee. She has filed the initial paperwork with the county, Registrar Linda Lindberg said.

Two other Democrats have picked up the necessary paperwork from Lindberg's office -- Kim Klingler, a self-described health care advocate, first responder, community volunteer and political activist; and Elmer Lowe, president of the Arlington chapter of the NAACP.

Klingler announced her candidacy in an email blast Friday, complete with a campaign website and YouTube video.

Klingler has not yet filed her statement of organization with the county, though.

"Technically, she's supposed to file that with us before she collects any funds or expends any funds," Lindberg said. "That's the best way to do it. But there is a 10-day window after she formally declares her candidacy that she would have to file that with us before she has to pay any penalty."

Lowe told the Sun Gazette last month that he would run for the county board should Favola win election to the state Senate.

He has not yet filed his statement of organization with the county, either.

Statements of organization allow candidates to raise and spend money. But because Favola has not formally tendered her resignation, the process of setting a special election calendar cannot begin.

Favola has said she'll serve through December. Once she officially resigns, the Arlington Circuit Court will set a date for the special election. Lindberg's office is recommending April 17.

Once the special election date is set, the board candidates will have to amend their paperwork to indicate the date of the election they are actually running in.

Arlington GOP Chairman Mark Kelly has said he's working hard to recruit at least one Republican candidate to run in the special election.