Official List Of Fairfax City Council, Mayoral Candidates In November Election Released

FAIRFAX CITY, VA — On Thursday afternoon, Fairfax City's Office of Elections released the official list of candidates who have qualified to run for city offices in the Nov. 3 General and Special Election.

The candidates are listed below as they will appear on the ballot.

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Mayor

• Kirsten Sides Lockhart
• Thomas D. "Tom" Peterson

Member City Council

• Stacy R. Hall*
• Rachel M McQuillen*
• Anthony T. Amos*
• Sandi W. Slappey Brown
• Kelly M. O'Brien
• Russell A. Jones
• Stephen S. Kim
• Susan Hartley Kuiler
• María José Padmore
• Steve S Chang
• Jessica L. Lough

Member School Board

• Carolyn S. Pitches*
• Amit Sarah Hickman*
• Kristina M. Cecere*
• Sarah M. Kelsey*
• Lauren A. Bartelme*

* Incumbent

In the mayor's race, incumbent City Council Member Tom Peterson is running against Kirsten Sides Lockhart. Current Mayor Catherine Read announced earlier in the year that she would not seek a third term.

While incumbents Stacy R. Hall, Rachel M McQuillen, Anthony T. Amos will be seeking their second term on the council, both Billy Bates and Stacey Hardy-Chandler chose not to run in November.

Instead, Hall, McQuillen, and Amos will be facing eight newcomers: Sandi W. Slappey Brown, Kelly M. O'Brien, Russell A. Jones, Stephen S. Kim, Susan Hartley Kuiler, María José Padmore, Steve S Chang, and Jessica L. Lough. All 11 eleven candidates will be vying for six open seats.

All five incumbent School Board members are seeking reelection to the five-member board: Carolyn S. Pitches, Amit Sarah Hickman, Kristina M. Cecere, Sarah M. Kelsey, and Lauren A. Bartelme.

Although all Fairfax City candidates appear as independents on the ballot, Fairfax City Democrats have endorsed candidates in the two previous city elections and handed out campaign flyers outside the polls. At the same time, other groups have handed out candidate lists without any political affiliation.

Active duty service members and U.S. Defense Department employees are prohibited from running in partisan raises. Independent elections allow them the opportunity to participate in their local community as an elected official.

Early voting began Thursday in the Republican Party Primary in the U.S. Senate race. Read Patch's 2026 GOP Primary Voter Guide to learn how to cast a ballot in that election.

For any questions, contact the City of Fairfax Office of Elections via phone: 703-385-7891 or email: Registrar@fairfaxva.gov.