6 Fairfax Candidates Team Up Around A “Common Ground” Pledge

FAIRFAX CITY, VA — Six candidates for Fairfax mayor and City Council are pooling campaign resources under a “Common Ground” initiative that they say will emphasize residents and local priorities.

The group includes mayoral candidate Thomas D. “Tom” Peterson and five City Council candidates: incumbents Stacy R. Hall and Rachel McQuillen, along with Susan Hartley Kuiler, Jessica L. Lough and Steve S. Chang.

The candidates plan to introduce the joint campaign during “Finding Common Ground: A Fairfax Brunch,” scheduled from 12 to 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 13, at Commonwealth Brewing, 10426 Main St. The event will be open to Fairfax City residents and other community members.

Candidates Plan To Share Resources

Although each member of the group is running an individual campaign, the six candidates plan to share resources, meet with residents and identify areas where they agree on issues affecting the city, according to a campaign announcement released Thursday.

The group said its priorities include responsive and accountable local government, safe neighborhoods, strong schools and support for local businesses. The candidates also plan to focus on affordability, taxes and the long-term effects of growth and development.

The brunch will give residents an opportunity to meet the six candidates, ask questions and discuss issues facing Fairfax City, according to the announcement.

The following candidates are participating:

Candidate For Mayor

• Thomas D. “Tom” Peterson — Tom4Fairfax.org

Candidates For City Council

• Stacy R. Hall, incumbent — StacyForFairfax.com
• Rachel McQuillen, incumbent — RachelForFairfax.com
• Susan Hartley Kuiler — Kuiler4Fairfax.com
• Jessica L. Lough — JessicaForFairfax.com
• Steve S. Chang — Chang4Fairfax.com

Candidates Listed As Independents

All candidates for Fairfax City offices appear as independents on the ballot, although local political organizations may endorse candidates and distribute their recommendations to voters.

The Fairfax City Democratic Committee announced Wednesday that it was recommending Kirsten Lockhart for mayor. Its recommended City Council candidates are incumbent Anthony Amos, Sandi Slappey Brown, María José Padmore and Kelly O’Brien.

RELATED: Fairfax City Democrats Recommend Lockhart For Mayor, Four Council Candidates

The committee has endorsed candidates in the city’s two previous elections and distributed campaign literature outside polling places. Other local groups have also distributed candidate lists without identifying a political affiliation.

The city’s nonpartisan elections allow active-duty service members and U.S. Department of Defense employees, who are prohibited from becoming candidates in partisan elections, to seek local office.

Fairfax City voters will elect one mayor and six City Council members in the Tuesday, Nov. 3, general election.

How To Vote

Early in-person voting will run from Friday, Sept. 18, through Saturday, Oct. 31.

Voting will be available at Fairfax City Hall from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, excluding holidays. The polls will also be open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays, Oct. 24 and Oct. 31, and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays, Oct. 18 and Oct. 25.

Applications for ballots by mail must be received by 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23. The deadline to register to vote or update an existing registration is also 5 p.m. Oct. 23.

Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day.