FAIRFAX CITY, VA — City Council candidate Steve Chang has emerged as the early fundraising leader in Fairfax City's 2026 election, while mayoral candidate Kirsten Sides Lockhart reported the highest fundraising total among candidates running for mayor, according to campaign finance reports filed with the Virginia Department of Elections.
The filings cover campaign activity through June 30 and provide the first comprehensive look at fundraising in the races for mayor and six City Council seats on the Nov. 3 ballot.
Incumbent Councilmember Tom Peterson, who is running for mayor instead of seeking reelection to the council, reported fundraising through two separate campaign committees during the first half of the year. His longtime City Council committee remained active while he established a new mayoral committee in June.
Chang's campaign committee, CHANG4FAIRFAX, reported raising $21,100.28 between April and June, giving him the largest fundraising total among City Council candidates. The campaign reported $18,166.87 cash on hand at the end of the reporting period.
Much of Chang's fundraising came from a $20,000 contribution from Solid Construction Inc. His committee also reported a $1,000 contribution from former state Sen. J. Chapman Petersen and a later $500 contribution from Fairfax businessman Rick Dickson in a large contribution filing.
Incumbent Anthony Amos reported the second-highest fundraising total among City Council candidates, raising $10,355 during the first six months of 2026. His campaign reported $12,105.49 cash on hand as of June 30.
Incumbent Stacy Hall reported raising $6,616.39 during the first half of the year, including $3,057.41 during the first quarter and $3,558.98 from April through June. Hall's committee reported $3,940.75 cash on hand at the end of the reporting period.
Sandra Slappey Brown reported $6,185 in contributions, while Kelly O'Brien reported $5,155.35.
Susan Hartley Kuiler reported activity through two committees. Her current City Council committee reported $2,000 through June 30, while her previous committee reported $4,818.71 during the first quarter. Because both committees remained active during 2026, readers should note that those contributions were reported under separate committees.ppp
RELATED: Official List Of Fairfax City Council, Mayoral Candidates In November Election Released
Maria Jose Padmore reported $3,595 in contributions after launching her campaign in late May.
Incumbent Rachel McQuillen reported $3,190.45 through June 30 after filing an amended first-quarter report that increased her January-through-March fundraising total to $2,350, followed by $840.45 during the second quarter. Her committee reported $3,316.16 cash on hand.
Jessica Lough reported $1,225.02 after filing an amended June report.
Stephen Kim reported $300 in contributions, while Russell Jones reported no contributions through June 30.
Lockhart reported raising $4,420 during the first six months of the campaign, including $1,725 during the first quarter and $2,695 between April and June. Her campaign reported $2,273.13 cash on hand at the end of June.
Peterson organized a separate mayoral committee in June after previously fundraising through his City Council committee.
His new Thomas D. Peterson for Mayor committee reported raising $750 between June 12 and June 30 and reported $750 cash on hand.
Peterson's longtime Tom4Fairfax City Council committee also reported $6,303.72 in contributions during the first half of 2026 — $154.32 during the first quarter and $6,149.40 during the second quarter. That committee reported a zero ending balance on June 30.
Because the City Council and mayoral committees are separate political committees organized for different offices, this analysis reports them separately. Peterson is not seeking reelection to the City Council.
| Candidate | Contributions | Cash on Hand |
|---|---|---|
| Kirsten Sides Lockhart | $4,420.00 | $2,273.13 |
| Tom Peterson (Mayor committee) | $750.00 | $750.00 |
Note: Peterson's separate City Council committee reported an additional $6,303.72 during 2026 before and after he launched his mayoral campaign.
| Candidate | Contributions | Cash on Hand |
|---|---|---|
| Steve Chang | $21,100.28 | $18,166.87 |
| Anthony Amos | $10,355.00 | $12,105.49 |
| Stacy Hall | $6,616.39 | $3,940.75 |
| Tom Peterson (Council committee) | $6,303.72 | $0.00 |
| Sandra Slappey Brown | $6,185.00 | $4,110.17 |
| Kelly O'Brien | $5,155.35 | $2,133.74 |
| Susan Hartley Kuiler* | $2,000.00 | $2,000.00 |
| Maria Jose Padmore | $3,595.00 | $2,831.40 |
| Rachel McQuillen | $3,190.45 | $3,316.16 |
| Jessica Lough | $1,225.02 | $920.00 |
| Stephen Kim | $300.00 | $234.00 |
| Russell Jones | $0.00 | $89.50 |
*Kuiler's previous committee also reported $4,818.71 in contributions during the first quarter of 2026.
Candidates will file additional campaign finance reports before the November election, providing a clearer picture of fundraising, spending and cash reserves as the campaigns enter the final months before Election Day.
Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
Fairfax City, VA Patch
Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.