With 100% of precincts reporting, Democratic Party-backed Karen Keys-Gamarra has pulled off a stunning victory over GOP-backed Chris Grisafe with a nearly 2-to-1 win and goes onto become the Fairfax School Board At-Large-Elect!
Some were worried that the rain (it being the second day of school) would depress what will already be a very low turnout, but it appears the Democrats have succeeded in getting out the vote! This was made possible by a coalition of candidates up and down the ticket, and a legion of dedicated Democratic volunteers that braved the rain.
It’s also important to remember that the Republican who formerly held this seat resigned 10 days earlier than necessary in order to trigger a special election. Had she waited, this election would have been held in November along with the rest of our races. This was done on purpose to try and depress the vote, and it cost Fairfax taxpayers close to $250,000 that they would not have needed to pay otherwise.
Here’s my official statement on Karen’s win:
Congratulations to Fairfax School Board At-Large-Elect Karen Keys-Gamarra for her stunning victory in today's special election.
A big shout out to Peter Dougherty and the rest of Karen's campaign team for organizing such a well-run campaign in such a short time, and for the legions of volunteers who knocked on doors, wrote postcards, made phone calls, and staff the polls today in the pouring rain. This victory belongs to you, too!
Another big shout out to Kathy Tran for Delegate, Karrie Delaney for Delegate, Donte Tanner For Delegate, Justin Fairfax for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia and all of the other Democratic candidates that devoted their own campaign time and resources to assisting with this big win. We've proved that moving outside of our own campaign silos is how we win big, and our unity couldn't be stronger.
Congratulations to Chris Grisafe, Sandra D. Allen, and Michael Owens on their campaigns as well. Putting yourself out there to run for office is no small endeavor, and each of your deserve our respect for stepping up. Seeking to represent your community is commendable.
Fairfax County Public Schools will have great leadership with Karen Keys-Gamarra joining the ranks of the school board. Have a great school year!
And here’s thee final vote count:
244 precincts of 244 (100.00%) reporting
Candidate |
Votes |
Percent |
Chris S. Grisafe |
21,114 |
32.70% |
Sandra D. Allen |
789 |
1.22% |
Karen A. Keys-Gamarra* |
41,208 |
63.83% |
Michael H. Owens |
1,406 |
2.18% |
Write In |
43 |
0.07% |
*Declared winner
Last Modified on 08/29/2017 09:02 PM
Tuesday, Aug 29, 2017 · 11:58:54 PM +00:00 · KBoddye
UPDATE 2:
83 precincts of 244 (34.02%) reporting
Candidate |
Votes |
Percent |
Chris S. Grisafe |
7,231 |
32.62% |
Sandra D. Allen |
292 |
1.32% |
Karen A. Keys-Gamarra |
14,111 |
63.66% |
Michael H. Owens |
516 |
2.33% |
Write In |
16 |
0.07% |
Last Modified on 08/29/2017 07:56 PM
Wednesday, Aug 30, 2017 · 12:06:04 AM +00:00 · KBoddye
UPDATE 3: (Karen is being declared the presumptive winner)
92 precincts of 244 (37.70%) reporting
Candidate |
Votes |
Percent |
Chris S. Grisafe |
8,140 |
33.40% |
Sandra D. Allen |
313 |
1.28% |
Karen A. Keys-Gamarra |
15,347 |
62.96% |
Michael H. Owens |
558 |
2.29% |
Write In |
16 |
0.07% |
Last Modified on 08/29/2017 08:01 PM
Wednesday, Aug 30, 2017 · 12:19:59 AM +00:00 · KBoddye
UPDATE 4:
153 precincts of 244 (62.70%) reporting
Candidate |
Votes |
Percent |
Chris S. Grisafe |
13,520 |
33.23% |
Sandra D. Allen |
470 |
1.16% |
Karen A. Keys-Gamarra |
25,811 |
63.43% |
Michael H. Owens |
862 |
2.12% |
Write In |
28 |
0.07% |
Last Modified on 08/29/2017 08:16 PM
Wednesday, Aug 30, 2017 · 12:33:43 AM +00:00 · KBoddye
UPDATE 5:
197 precincts of 244 (80.74%) reporting
Candidate |
Votes |
Percent |
Chris S. Grisafe |
16,689 |
32.47% |
Sandra D. Allen |
641 |
1.25% |
Karen A. Keys-Gamarra |
32,882 |
63.98% |
Michael H. Owens |
1,146 |
2.23% |
Write In |
35 |
0.07% |
Last Modified on 08/29/2017 08:31 PM
Wednesday, Aug 30, 2017 · 12:48:24 AM +00:00 · KBoddye
UPDATE 6:
231 precincts of 244 (94.67%) reporting
Candidate |
Votes |
Percent |
Chris S. Grisafe |
19,671 |
32.46% |
Sandra D. Allen |
751 |
1.24% |
Karen A. Keys-Gamarra* |
38,807 |
64.03% |
Michael H. Owens |
1,338 |
2.21% |
Write In |
39 |
0.06% |
*Presumptive winner
Last Modified on 08/29/2017 08:46 PM
Wednesday, Aug 30, 2017 · 12:59:57 AM +00:00 · KBoddye
UPDATE 7:
243 precincts of 244 (99.59%) reporting
Candidate |
Votes |
Percent |
Chris S. Grisafe |
21,019 |
32.74% |
Sandra D. Allen |
787 |
1.23% |
Karen A. Keys-Gamarra* |
40,967 |
63.80% |
Michael H. Owens |
1,392 |
2.17% |
Write In |
42 |
0.07% |
*Declared winner
Last Modified on 08/29/2017 08:51 PM
Wednesday, Aug 30, 2017 · 1:33:50 AM +00:00 · KBoddye
FINAL UPDATE:
244 precincts of 244 (100.00%) reporting
Candidate |
Votes |
Percent |
Chris S. Grisafe |
21,114 |
32.70% |
Sandra D. Allen |
789 |
1.22% |
Karen A. Keys-Gamarra* |
41,208 |
63.83% |
Michael H. Owens |
1,406 |
2.18% |
Write In |
43 |
0.07% |
*Declared victor
Last Modified on 08/29/2017 09:02 PM