Anthony Amos Favors Case-By-Case Development Reviews In Fairfax City Council Bid

FAIRFAX CITY, VA — Fairfax City Council member Anthony Amos says the city should evaluate development proposals individually and pursue public-private investments that could combine housing with needed public infrastructure.

"While our small area plans and zoning ordinance set parameters and guidelines generally, each project should be evaluated for its own merits and drawbacks," Amos wrote in his responses to Patch's candidate questionnaire.

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Amos said projects should be examined for potential community benefits, such as road connections that could ease congestion. He also pointed to housing for public safety employees next to Fire Station No. 3 as an example of a need that public-private investment could help address.

Amos is seeking reelection to the Fairfax City Council in the Nov. 3 general election.

The other candidates running for City Council are Stacy R. Hall, Rachel M. McQuillen, 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.

As part of its coverage of the City Council race, Patch asked each candidate to complete a questionnaire about their background, priorities and positions on issues facing Fairfax City. Amos's responses appear in full below.

Your Name

Anthony Amos

Position sought (mayor, city council, school board, etc.)

City Council

Age (as of Election Day)

28

Campaign Website

www.anthonytamos.org

City elections are traditionally non-partisan and candidates must run as independents, according to both the city charter and the Code of Virginia. No party affiliation or "mark" will appear next to any of the candidates' names on the November 2026 ballot. Have you been endorsed by a recognized political party or have you aligned yourself with a group of candidates representing themselves as independent, non-partisan candidates, including candidates running in other city races? Please check the answer that is most appropriate.

I am being recommended for reelection by a political party.

Please elaborate on your answer to the previous question and explain how this will affect the way you will serve on the city council.

I represent everyone fairly and each policy on its merits. It will not affect my leadership or decision-making.

How does your status as described in the two previous questions help Fairfax City voters choose a candidate that best aligns with their particular political beliefs?

Considering my history and voting record in the city, voters can know that I take a balanced approach as a representative and encourage dialogue and compromise. I work with everyone and have an open-door policy. We need local government to be focused on policy and the city's future, not politics.

Family

Marena Amos is my wife and our first anniversary is on September 20th!

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

My wife, Marena Amos, works for Fairfax County in the Springfield District office. She handles cases related to housing, health and human services, parks, and event planning.

Education

Master's in Public Policy from George Mason University; Dual Bachelor's in Political Science and Sociology from the University of West Oahu

Occupation

The Michaels Organization (affordable housing development) since Jan 2025

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Political Office

Current Councilmember for the City of Fairfax; State appointee to the Charitable Gaming Board; Finance Committee with VML; Water and Air Quality Committees with MWCOG

Why are you seeking elective office?

I am seeking reelection to continue seeing through our investments, guide us through a challenging economic time and housing crisis, and to continue moving the city forward in a sustainable manner. It has been a unique first-term in office and now that I have some more experience, I would like to continue representing you and strengthen our city's regional position. I want us to be idea-focused and solution-oriented, rather than getting in our own way because of an inconsistent vision for our future.

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

Affordability from both housing and tax perspectives. Everything from affordable housing to taxes and cost of living to employment opportunities. It is all correlated. While it requires a multi-faceted approach and there are no blanket solutions, I am working on the following: Dedicated revenue for our housing trust fund to support affordable housing and workforce housing for our educators and public safety officials, establish guidelines and incentives for a Home Sharing Program, coordinate with a childcare provider to provide alternative childcare options for families during public meetings and events, and bolster our upskilling initiatives to support technical and trade skills.

What approach should Fairfax City take to new development and redevelopment? What types of projects would you support or oppose, and how would you balance housing needs and economic growth with concerns about traffic, infrastructure and neighborhood character?

While our small area plans and zoning ordinance set parameters and guidelines generally, each project should be evaluated for its own merits and drawbacks. For example, does a housing development also expand our road infrastructure network and provides a planned connection that would help alleviate congestion? These questions will allow us to maximize both community benefits and diversify our tax base to bolster our economy. This not only includes housing development, but also key investment opportunities like the Willard-Sherwood Community Center. Its proximity to shopping centers, housing, transit stops, and single family neighborhoods make it an ideal location to provide a number of services like childcare and senior activities. I continue to advocate and encourage the city to take advantage of Public-Private investment opportunities. This can mitigate cost concerns with a project and allow us receive public infrastructure with a potential private development to address ongoing needs like housing for public safety employees next to Fire Station #3.

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

I represent often underrepresented segments of our community in a number of ways. I have experience as a former apartment renter in the city, something councils in the past have lacked, as well as unique experience with affordable housing zoning and financing from both public and private sector perspectives. As a young African American man, the first elected to council in over 50 years, I also understand the importance of representation on the dais and how lacking this perspective can have consequences.

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

N/A

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

I am prioritizing affordability (both housing and for taxes), business development and small business growth, financial education and homelessness, education and childcare, community building and volunteerism, environment, and public safety. This includes a number of specific policy recommendations, such as establishing a Capital Acquisition and Land Preservation Fund, a rebate program for green infrastructure and accessibility-focused home improvements, and a fee refund program for delayed permits.

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

I worked with my colleagues and economic development to expand our relationship with George Mason, including activities like the Homecoming City Crawl and Poetry Night for Spotlight on the Arts. I am working to support childcare and unique educational opportunities through ideas like a streamlined permit process for home daycares and a localized Kindergarten to College Fund through Commonwealth Savers. I also hosted a Hire-a-Lion Job Fair at Fairfax High School with the Fairfax Forward Foundation. I was also excited to help launch the Budget Open House (credit to staff for its execution). Additionally, I was honored to support the following: The City's first Affordability and Housing Strategic Plan, the Urban Forest Master Plan, and the City's first Community Survey. Since taking office in January of 2025, we managed to get this done when we remain policy-focused and innovative. I hope to continue to work on ideas like the Pedestrian Plaza Pilot and the college fund if reelected.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Any room you walk into, everyone is a friend. You don't draw lines, let others do that.

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

My public service career began through volunteer work and dedicating as much time as possible to helping people. That spirit continues and I truly believe that we are a unique city with boundless potential. Nonprofits, faith-based partners, government employees, business owners and so much more - my role is to be a bridge for these entities. I recognize that not all ideas work and they may not be right for our jurisdiction, but we also want to position ourselves strongly in the Commonwealth as a city that continue to moves forward. I consider my process of decision-making a moderate and balanced one, where I weigh the pros and cons with community input to make a sound decision. I am open to being wrong and am not afraid to admit it, yet I will always be willing to learn. You can always meet with me, find me at a community event, and I will be readily available for you. That is representation and how I am as a person at my core.