The Nov. 7 election includes the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. Nine members are elected by voters in local districts to serve four-year terms. Twenty-one district candidates are in the race, with seven incumbents. 

Candidates were asked to provide a short bio and share a story of their interaction with a voter that led them to a commitment to take action, with a tight word limit. District races are in alphabetical order. Candidate responses are printed in the order they appear on the ballot. 

For information on how and where to vote, including voting early, see https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/elections/

As of Monday, Oct. 23, 2023, 35,669 Fairfax County voters have already voted, out of more than 714,000 active voters on the rolls. More than 670,000 active voters have yet to vote. If you are one of those who have yet to vote, make a plan to get out and vote, and bring friends and family along. 

You can vote early in person until Nov. 4.

• Any registered Fairfax County voter may vote early at any Fairfax County early voting location now through Nov. 4, 2023.

• If you received a ballot in the mail, you must bring it with you and surrender it to vote in person

• Curbside voting is available for eligible voters, over 65 or with a physical disbility.

• Dropboxes are available during satellite operating hours

• Email earlyvoting@fairfaxcounty.gov with questions about early voting

Or vote at your assigned polling place on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 7. 

Franconia District Supervisor Candidates

Paul F. Beran (R)

I’m Paul Beran, 69 years young, and a candidate for Supervisor, Franconia District. I’m a home-loving family man whose entire life has been dedicated to serving God, family, and community. My campaign strategy is “Beran Good News!" That is, I wish to be the “Bearer of Good News” for the people of Franconia that provides viable solutions to important issues without condemning those who may have caused, exacerbated, or perpetuated the problems and without raising taxes.

Professionally, I had a half-century career in marketing, supporting thousands of businesses, large and small, and understanding their concerns, desires, and needs. My campaign strategy is to work with others as I worked with entrepreneurs, identifying with them.

Response: Cost of living — Shortly after filing, I started receiving calls from constituents complaining they could no longer afford to live here despite already paying off their home. Property and vehicle taxes are too high; utilities and the overall cost of living have grown unmanageable. They asked me to do something and provide viable solutions to important issues without raising taxes.

Lower taxes — I've discovered “There’s a Marketing Solution to Virtually Every Problem.” Someone is willing to help financially, provided a benefit is built for them. You just need to be a little creative. That’s what I do. I will always explore all other revenue sources first. My idea of “affordable housing” is to keep the cost of living in our district low enough that people don't feel the need to move away.

A safer place to live — We’re down by 200 officers; police officers left their jobs during the current supervisor’s watch. My job as supervisor will be to get those numbers back where they need to be without raising taxes. One way is to convince HOA’s to lower or eliminate HOA fees for active duty law enforcement. This immediately raises their income and adds 24-hour security to our most densely populated communities. We need a prosecutor who prosecutes, not criminals who go to repeat their crimes. Prosecutors who do not do their job will pay me a political price. I’ll call them out every time. www.berangoodnews.com

Rodney L. Lusk (D)

Supervisor Rodney L. Lusk was sworn in as Fairfax County Franconia District Supervisor in January 2020 and is the first African American male elected to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.

He currently serves as Chairman of the Public Safety Committee, Vice Chairman of the Personnel and Reorganization Committee, member of the Audit Committee, member of the Successful Children and Youth Policy Team, and Secretary Treasurer for the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.

Prior to being elected as Franconia District Supervisor, Rodney served 32 years as a Fairfax County employee, which included roles delivering human services along the Historic Richmond Highway Corridor, serving on the staff of two former Board of Supervisors, and as National Marketing Director for the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority. Additionally, Rodney served as a member of the Fairfax County Planning Commission and the Fairfax County Park Authority.

Lusk’s priorities while in office include opening a workforce development center on Route One, reforming police policy, addressing the county’s affordable housing crisis, improving our pedestrian and bicycle safety network, and implementing a bus rapid transit project on Richmond Highway. In addition, his office coordinated with Fairfax County government agencies, local nonprofits, and Franconia District residents to organize food distributions across the community in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, over three million pounds of food and supplies were distributed to residents in need.

Rodney is a native Virginian, a Franconia District resident for 22 years, and a graduate of the University of Virginia. Rodney and his wife Jacquelyn are proud parents to their two daughters, Addison and Sheridan.

Response: One of the efforts that I’ve undertaken as Chairman of the Board’s Public Safety Committee has been to organize a series of public safety listening sessions where members of the community could come forward in a public forum and share directly with me any public safety concerns that they have.

One piece of testimony that I heard during the first session had a particular impact on me. A community member who represented an advocacy group comprised of first responders spouses shared with me her frustration with the lack of responses she had received to her previous outreach to the county.

In response, I met with her personally the following week, and as a result of our subsequent conversations, I led an effort to launch a new public safety transparency website (https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/topics/police-updates, which includes a community input matrix where members of the public and first responders can submit publicly viewable policy questions and recommendations.

In my next term, I plan to continue to move forward with generating responses to every item submitted to the matrix, as well as implementing many of those that will make our public safety infrastructure more effective and transparent.

Mark T. Welch (I)

Mark T. Welch (I) 62, is a candidate for Board of Supervisors, Franconia District. He holds a Master of Business Administration degree from GMU.

I retired from the Senior Executive Service after more than 30 years with the Federal Government. My professional background was primarily in the budgeting and finance areas. At my last job, I was responsible for developing the agency’s budget, which was submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and then defending the budget to both OMB and Congressional staff. I also worked at the Department of Transportation (DOT), receiving the Secretary’s Distinguished Service Award for helping set up the Transportation Security Administration from scratch after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. I started my government career with the Department of the Navy, where I analyzed and negotiated multimillion-dollar Harpoon missile production contracts.

Highlights of volunteerism in the community include serving as vice president and treasurer for ten years in civic associations and tax preparation with the AARP Tax-Aide program at the Financial Empowerment Center. He has been a county resident for 30 years with his wife and three FCPS children, all graduates of Virginia public universities.

Response: I recently met a local business proprietor who complained about panhandling in the county and how “something had to be done about it.” He insisted panhandlers were not truly in need but instead part of an organized “ring” to solicit money under false pretenses. Having also encountered panhandlers and being curious about his assertion, I began researching the issue.

Having also encountered panhandlers and being curious about his assertion, I began researching the issue. The county website indicated that some panhandlers come from outside the county to solicit money but also that many do not and are experiencing hardship.

Upon further research, I learned that Loudoun County has adopted an ordinance that prohibits curb-to-curb exchanges between pedestrians and motorists on public roadways, a violation of which results in a traffic ticket.

However, they rarely initially issue tickets to violators; instead, they issue warnings and refer people in need to county social services. The result is that the ordinance has significantly reduced panhandling by imposing a financial disincentive on those who panhandle to solicit money with no real need while enabling people experiencing financial or other difficulty to obtain appropriate social services.

I plan to introduce a similar ordinance and would inform any opposing elected officials of the experience and benefits seen in Loudoun County. marktwelch21@outlook.com

Mount Vernon District Supervisor Candidates

Richard T. Hayden (R) 

Richard T. Hayden (R) Candidate for Member of Board of Supervisors, Mount Vernon District. I have lived in Mount Vernon with my wife and family since 1986. I’m 65 years old, a real estate attorney, and a tireless volunteer. I currently serve on the board of the nonprofit
Columbus Club, Inc., part of my Knights of Columbus Council 5998.

Response: I was knocking on doors on a Sunday afternoon, and a homeowner and voter, sitting in his front yard, asked me about the lane widening project on Route One, initially known as the Richmond Highway BRT, now named The One. He was upset, as were many in the community, at the closing of the Hybla Valley Veterinary Hospital after 75 years. He wanted to know the status and scope of the program and whether it was necessary. We both agreed that Route One needed some improvements, but at what cost and for whose benefit?
I researched the closure of the hospital and found that it was designated as a whole property acquisition to be used as a stormwater management area. The BRT will affect 209 parcels in total or in part, down from 225 originally. The projected ridership of 18,000 by 2040 is for residents not currently living along Route One. The project has a price tag of about $1 billion and will urbanize Route One.
The pandemic changed work patterns, creating opportunities to work from home, thus altering the need for mass transit. I will persuade my colleagues on the Board of Supervisors to revisit and examine the BRT project and the new workforce transportation needs, protect businesses and residents as much as possible, and minimize disturbance areas and overall disruption. www.hayden4mv.com

Daniel Storck (D) 

Daniel G. "Dan" Storck (D) is running for reelection as Member of Board of Supervisors, Mount Vernon District. I bring a voice of experience, thousands of community connections, and a proven track record for getting things done in Mount Vernon District. I am running again because I have the right values and decades of experience working with you, from the Huntington community to Lorton. I will continue fully investing in our children, education, and public safety, revitalizing Lorton and Richmond Highway, implementing a BRT system to relieve congestion and extend Metro, supporting and empowering our seniors to remain independent in their homes, requiring smart, green land use policies and development, and growing more jobs. As a decades-long business entrepreneur, leader of community non-profit organizations, twelve-year school board member, three-term chairman, and now two-term supervisor, I have more than three decades of living in and serving our community. I look forward to continuing to be a leader and a strong advocate for you, delivering on the needs of the Mount Vernon District.

Response: During my first days in office in 2016, it was brought to my attention that our community had no area domestic violence support or center. I immediately challenged county staff to do more to protect these predominantly women and children from their abusers.

Domestic violence support was soon added in 2017 at the Gerry Hyland (South County) Government Center, but it was advised that no centers could be available for many years. At about that time, I happened to have individual conversations with three strong community women, Mattie Palmore, Lisa Sales and Karen Stone, who, because of their own personal experiences, were deeply committed to righting this wrong and quickly addressing this need. They were fierce advocates, calling themselves the ‘three musketeers,’ working tirelessly with county staff and me, proposing a variety of creative solutions, funding options, and locations to get a local area facility opened quickly.

We all proudly opened Artemis House Region 1 in 2019, and they have since gone on to raise donations that have helped provide furniture, supplies, and support for the families residing there. Their energy and drive were crucial to supporting our residents during their time of greatest need. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month to bring attention to this family, community, and public health issue and available resources. https://danstorck.org/

Christopher T. Morgan (I)

Christopher T. Morgan (I), - Candidate for Member of Board of Supervisors, Mount Vernon District is 41, lives in Mount Vernon, Fairfax County, with his wife Sumrall and 5-year-old son. A former U.S. Army officer, he works in the tech sector. Morgan chaired the Mount Vernon Council's Environment and Recreation Committee for two years and serves as Stratford Landing Citizens' Association president. He has a B.S. in business and economics from Lehigh University.

Morgan is a former small business owner as well as a former Business Improvement District and Maintenance Assessment District board member, where he managed $2.5 million in community funds. He coaches T-ball with Fort Hunt Little League and participates in numerous wetland cleanups. He is a member of the Izaak Walton League's Arlington-Fairfax Chapter and the Basilica of St. Mary's in Old Town Alexandria.

Morgan plans to work toward increasing safety, reducing crime, especially along Route 1, and increasing school safety, including stopping the proposed homeless shelter next to West Potomac High School and within a 1.3-mile radius of nine other schools. The shelter facility [could house ex-offenders] and this is the wrong location.

He intends to work toward saving old-growth trees, regulating infill development, and mandating practical transportation projects that prioritize private car travel.

Morgan will advocate for a strict guidance policy to remove politics and bias from the county budget. This will cut wasteful programs and excess spending. He will also advocate for a 3-1-1 Citizen Request Portal and App for County Services to improve citizen interaction.

Response: As president of my community, I remember a call I received earlier in the year from a retired woman in tears who had received her property tax assessment. She lives in the same home where she grew up and was terrified that she could no longer afford the county taxes on it.

I acted then as I would in my job in the tech industry. I researched the issue. I found the facts. I learned that, on average, property taxes in our area were up 50 percent in the past three years. I read every page of the county budget and researched the process by which it is passed. I traveled to the county center to testify in front of our Board of Supervisors. I wrote about my experiences and posted them on social media for my neighbors to read.

I knew I could not sit on the sidelines when people needed my help and perspective. Taxes and spending weren’t my only motivation. I was concerned with several environmental issues, transportation, school policies, and rising street crime. I entered the race for Mount Vernon Supervisors as an independent to fix problems, not play politics. As a supervisor, I will be a steward of my neighbor’s money, and I’ll work backward from a maximum spending amount and be completely transparent about where each dollar is spent. I’m running for my family and all our neighbors who are struggling and know that we can do better. Votechristophermorgan.com