FAIRFAX CITY, VA — Maintaining the city's financial health while keeping living costs and local taxes manageable is the biggest challenge facing Fairfax City voters, City Council candidate Steve S. Chang says.
In responses to Patch's candidate questionnaire, Chang called for closer scrutiny of major capital projects, greater budget transparency and improvements in efficiency before increasing taxes or fees.
"My goal is not simply to spend less or raise less revenue," Chang wrote. "It is to make sure that every dollar the city collects is used wisely, that residents understand how their money is being spent, and that we plan today so that we do not place an unnecessary financial burden on future generations."
Chang is running for the Fairfax City Council in the Nov. 3 general election.
The other candidates running for City Council are Stacy A. Hall, Kelly O'Brien, Rachel M. McQuillen, Anthony T. Amos, Sandi W. Slappey Brown, Russell A. Jones, Stephen S. Kim, María José Padmore, and Jessica Lough.
Patch invited candidates to share their backgrounds, priorities and views on issues facing Fairfax City through its campaign questionnaire. Chang's responses follow below.
Your Name
Steve S. Chang
Position sought (mayor, city council, school board, etc.)
City Council, City of Fairfax
Age (as of Election Day)
67
Campaign Website
chang4fairfax.com
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 have aligned myself with a group of candidates representing themselves as independent and nonpartisan.
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 have aligned myself with a group of candidates who are presenting themselves as independent and nonpartisan candidates. Our group, the Fairfax Common Ground candidates just launched our joint campaign with the added anticipation of being able to work together as colleagues should I have the good fortune to be elected to Council on November 3.
This alignment is limited to participation in a group of candidates and does not constitute an endorsement by, affiliation with, or representation of any recognized political party in the Commonwealth of Virginia. I am not running as a candidate of any political party, and I remain an independent, nonpartisan candidate. I plan on taking this same ethos to my work if elected to City Council.
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?
Because Fairfax City's local elections are nonpartisan, my alignment with the Fairfax Common Ground candidates who are presenting themselves as independent and nonpartisan provides voters with additional information about the candidates' shared approach to local government and the issues facing our community. None of us have sought any political party affiliation which will allow us to serve all residents of the City without any political party mandates.
I believe voters should use this information as one factor in evaluating candidates, alongside each candidate's individual positions, experience, priorities, and approach to governing. My candidacy remains independent and nonpartisan, and I encourage voters to consider whether my views and priorities align with their own when casting their ballots.
Family
My family and I are grateful to call Fairfax City home. We have been proud to be part of this wonderful community and have come to appreciate the values that make the City of Fairfax such a special place to live, work, and raise a family. My wife, Jie Sook Chang, devoted many years to operating a preschool, caring for and nurturing children from families throughout Northern Virginia. Our two sons attended Woodson High School and went on to graduate from the College of William & Mary and Carnegie Mellon University. Today, one is a practicing attorney, and the other is an entrepreneur who, like me, chose to build his own business. Watching my family grow and succeed in this community has strengthened my appreciation for the opportunities that America and Fairfax City have provided us.
Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?
No
Education
Occupation
Precious gems and goldsmith owner of jewelry store for 12 years followed by 30 years of church ministry and serve as a pastor, and currently retired with joint venture business interest in multimedia publishing and real estate investments.
Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Political Office
None
Why are you seeking elective office?
I am running for Fairfax City Council because I believe our community deserves leadership that listens, plans responsibly, and delivers practical results. I want to help preserve the character of our neighborhoods, support local businesses, maintain public safety, and ensure Fairfax remains a great place to live, work, and raise a family.
If elected, I will work collaboratively with residents, city staff, and my fellow council members, with a focus on fiscal responsibility, transparency, and thoughtful decision-making.
My commitment is simple: to put Fairfax City first and serve the interests of our entire community. And that takes intentional leadership that will empower others to speak up, take action, and make the needed changes.
The single most pressing issue facing voters is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.
Having knocked over 3,000 doors, I continue to hear that the single most pressing issue facing voters is maintaining the City's financial health while keeping the cost of living and local taxes manageable for residents.
Fairfax City has important needs—from schools and infrastructure to public safety and essential city services—but we must be careful stewards of taxpayer dollars. As someone who has led businesses, nonprofits, and a large community organization through periods of financial uncertainty, I understand that responsible leadership requires setting priorities, examining costs, and making difficult choices when necessary.
If elected, I will advocate for greater fiscal discipline and transparency in the city's budgeting process. I will support careful evaluation of major capital projects, seek opportunities to improve efficiency before increasing taxes or fees, and look for ways to broaden the city's economic base while supporting local businesses. At the same time, I will work to ensure that essential services, public safety, schools, and infrastructure receive the resources they need.
My goal is not simply to spend less or raise less revenue. It is to make sure that every dollar the city collects is used wisely, that residents understand how their money is being spent, and that we plan today so that we do not place an unnecessary financial burden on future generations.
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?
Fairfax City should pursue thoughtful development that strengthens our community without compromising the quality of life that makes Fairfax special. I support redevelopment that follows the City's Comprehensive Plan, supports local businesses, expands housing choices, and improves walkability and connectivity.
I would support appropriately scaled redevelopment of underused commercial properties and mixed-use projects in suitable locations. I would oppose projects that are inconsistent with the Comprehensive Plan, overwhelm existing roads or infrastructure, create unacceptable traffic or service demands, or are out of scale with surrounding neighborhoods. I would also oppose projects that unnecessarily diminish historic resources, parks, green space, or neighborhood character without a compelling public benefit.
Housing affordability is important, but adding housing or increasing the tax base should not by itself justify a project. Each proposal should be evaluated on its impacts on traffic, infrastructure, public services, fiscal costs, and surrounding neighborhoods, with meaningful input from residents.
Ultimately, the question is not whether Fairfax should grow, but how we grow—welcoming responsible investment while protecting the long-term interests and character of our community.
What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
What distinguishes me is the combination of my experience in business, nonprofit and community leadership, and decades of service to others. I have owned and operated businesses, led a large community organization through periods of financial challenge, and served in nonprofit leadership. Those experiences have taught me the importance of listening, bringing people together, managing resources responsibly, and being accountable for results.
As a candidate, I bring a strong emphasis on fiscal responsibility, responsible development, support for local businesses, and preservation of Fairfax's quality of life. I believe growth should be carefully planned, infrastructure should keep pace with development, and taxpayers should receive clear value for every dollar the City spends.
I also believe local government works best when residents are heard before major decisions are made. My approach is to listen first, evaluate the facts, work collaboratively, and make decisions based on what is best for Fairfax City—not on political agendas or special interests or inside baseball that alienates a considerable number of residents from participating.
I believe my experience and background will be an added asset in serve to my beloved City as one of six Council members.
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.
My campaign is built around community-driven leadership, fiscal responsibility, support for local businesses, responsible growth, public safety, and protecting Fairfax's quality of life.
Just as important, I believe a campaign should be about listening to the people we hope to serve. Raising the resources needed to run a campaign and knocking on doors throughout the city have given me opportunities to meet residents, hear their concerns, and better understand what matters to their families and neighborhoods.
I am grateful to everyone who has contributed financially, volunteered, opened their door, or simply taken the time to share their thoughts with me. These conversations are helping shape my campaign and will continue to guide me if I am elected.
My commitment is simple: Putting Fairfax First and that takes, common-sense leadership, fiscal responsibility, government transparency, and community-focused solutions.
What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
My past experience has prepared me to serve effectively on City Council. I have owned and operated businesses, including a fine jewelry store for 12 years, giving me firsthand experience with financial management, employees, customers, and the challenges facing local businesses.
I also spent approximately 30 years in church and community leadership, including serving as a pastor and building a growing community organization. That experience required managing people and resources, navigating difficult financial periods, bringing people with different perspectives together, and remaining accountable to the community I served.
Today, I remain involved in business interests, including multimedia publishing and real estate investments. These experiences have taught me to listen carefully, evaluate facts, manage resources responsibly, and make difficult decisions when necessary.
I believe those lessons—combined with my long-standing commitment to Fairfax—would help me bring practical, accountable, and community-focused leadership to City Council.
The best advice ever shared with me was:
The best advice ever shared with me was: "Listen first, speak last, and always treat people with respect."
That advice has guided me throughout my life and ministry. I have learned that people are more willing to work together when they know they have been heard and respected. I believe that is especially important in public service, where good decisions require listening to different perspectives, considering the facts, and finding common ground.
What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
I would like voters to know that I am running for City Council because I care deeply about Fairfax and the people who call it home. My approach is grounded in service, not politics as usual.
I have spent my career building businesses, serving in ministry, leading community organizations, and working with people from many different backgrounds. Those experiences have taught me to listen carefully, respect differing viewpoints, manage resources responsibly, and bring people together around practical solutions.
I am an independent, nonpartisan candidate. I will make decisions based on what I believe is best for Fairfax City, not on party politics or special interests. If elected, I will remain accessible to residents, communicate openly, and be accountable for the decisions I make.
Above all, I want to help preserve what makes Fairfax special while preparing responsibly for the future. My commitment is simple: Put Fairfax First.
Also See ...
Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
Fairfax City Patch
Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.