Candidate Profile: Dianne Lane For Manassas City Council

MANASSAS, VA – Seven candidates are running for three seats on the Manassas City Council.

Patch invited each of the candidates to share their backgrounds, priorities and views on issues facing Manassas residents through its candidate questionnaire.

Dianne Lane has been a Manassas resident for nearly three decades and is a former government contractor. Her answers to Patch's questions are below.

Name

Dianne Lane

Party affiliation

Democrat

Party endorsements

State Senator Danica Roem; former delegate Michelle Maldonado; Manassas Mayor Michelle Davis; Manassas Vice Mayor Mark Wolf; Council Members Ralph Smith, Tom Osina, Sonia Vasquez Luna, Ashley Hutson; former Council Member and Vice Mayor Pam Sebesky

Campaign website

www.diannelaneformanassas.com

Campaign social media

Dianne Lane for Manassas City Council, @dianne4manassasva.bsky.social, diannelaneformanassas

Why are you running for this office?

I believe the City's future has amazing opportunities, and I want to represent the residents in shaping that future. I see a Manassas where graduates of City schools can live and work, and families can play and enjoy City parks and amenities. I want Manassas to be a destination where you can stay in a City hotel, go to the City museum and historic sites, shop unique stores, and then enjoy evening dining and entertainment.

What do constituents tell you is most important to them for the coming term?

Cost of living, housing, and public safety

What are your day-one priorities, if elected?

Spend time with the city finance team and city manager to understand our current 2027 fiscal budget spending and funding performance to prepare for the generation of the fiscal 2028 budget beginning in February 2027. Continue the forward progress on the Center Street redevelopment projects. Provide guidance and direction to the Planning Commission and Housing Advisory Board (if reestablished) on the affordable dwelling unit and affordable housing resolutions.

What are your longer-term goals, if elected?

Support the thoughtful redevelopment of the Mathis Ave shopping center, to ensure the residents voices remain centered in the decision-making for housing, mixed-use, and park facilities. Secure a quality hotel for the downtown property on Center Street to bring in conferences, weddings, and other groups to shop and stay in Manassas. Leverage the opening of the airport to bring in adjacent service industries and continue investment in our historical tourist sites to stand out from the region.

What about your professional or other background has prepared you for this office?

I spent my professional career as a government contractor, working for the last 10 plus years as a program manager for multimillion-dollar contracts. I believe my experience managing complex projects with multiple stakeholders has prepared me well for the challenges of city governance. In addition, to being a certified program manager, I am a trained change management professional and industry black belt.

I volunteer for the City in various capacities. After attending Manassas City's inaugural Leadership Development program, I was appointed to the City's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion task force in 2021; I served as the Housing team lead. In June 2023, I was appointed to the City's Parks, Culture and Recreation committee, where I served until June 2026 when my term ended. In November 2025, I was appointed to the City's first Housing Advisory Board where I serve as vice chair. I am a member of Bull Run Unitarian Universalists, where I was board vice president during COVID recovery (2021 - 2024). I also volunteer with Prince William County Amateur Radio Emergency Services (PWCARES) as a licensed amateur radio operator, or ham.

Aside from winning the election, what has been your most important campaign goal?

Treating everyone with respect and dignity - engaging residents with discussion about city governance and policies, and debating the future of Manassas as we move toward the second half of the 21st century.