FREDERICKSBURG, VA — Fredericksburg City Councilor Jannan Holmes has announced plans to run for the Virginia House of Delegates in 2027, seeking the 65th District seat currently held by Del. Joshua Cole (D).
Holmes, an at-large member of City Council, plans to run as a Democrat, according to the Fredericksburg Free Press, which first reported her candidacy Saturday. The 65th District includes Fredericksburg and portions of Stafford and Spotsylvania counties.
"I'm running to represent the people of the region I love," Holmes told the Free Press.
Cole, a Democrat, is expected to seek the 27th District seat in the Virginia Senate in 2027, according to the Free Press. That seat is currently held by Republican Sen. Tara Durant.
Holmes was elected to an at-large seat on Fredericksburg City Council in November 2023 and began her four-year term in January 2024.
Before joining the council, Holmes served more than 13 years on the Fredericksburg City School Board. She served twice each as chair and vice chair and also held leadership positions with the Virginia School Boards Association's Northeastern Region.
Holmes first came to Fredericksburg in 1985 to attend Mary Washington College. After earning a master's degree in social work from Virginia Commonwealth University, she returned to Fredericksburg in 1995 to work with children and families, according to her biography on the city's website.
A licensed clinical social worker, Holmes entered private practice in 1998 and continues to provide therapy to children, adolescents and families.
Her community involvement has included work with the Rappahannock Council Against Sexual Assault, Fredericksburg Area Health and Support Services, Empowerhouse, Micah and St. George's Episcopal Church.
During her time on the School Board, Holmes focused in part on school facilities and student mental health services. She later moved to City Council, where her work has included housing, homelessness and issues surrounding data center development.
Holmes lives in Fredericksburg's Westmont neighborhood with her husband, George. They have two adult children, Noah and Max, who attended Fredericksburg City Public Schools and graduated from James Monroe High School.
The 2027 election will determine all 100 seats in the Virginia House of Delegates.
Read the Fredericksburg Free Press' full story.
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