By now, Prince William County has become known nationwide for two reasons: it is a bellwether for national and statewide elections, and our notorious County Board Chairman, Neo-Confederate Corey Stewart.
Our county should be known for so much more than that, though. It’s the first and largest minority-majority locality in Virginia, we have some of the top-rated Title I schools in the nation, and we have a deep history of Native American Tribes, Freedmen Entrepreneurs and being a leader in school integration back during the Civil Rights Era. That is the Prince William County I know we can be, and the one I love; that’s part of why I’m running for County Board next year. And I’m not alone.
Here is the slate of the Democrats already declared to turn Prince William’s county board blue next year:
Brentsville Supervisor (the “red” part of the county, but still won by federal and statewide Democrats): Democrat Maggie Hansford is challenging Republican incumbent Jeanine Lawson.
Coles Supervisor (a purple district that should be winnable): Democrats Raheel Sheikh and LT Pridgen vs. Republican Patrick Sowers (note: Republican incumbent Marty Nohe is running for Chairman of the Board).
Occoquan Supervisor (Kaine won this district easily in November): Democrats Kenny Boddye and Aaron Cedric Edmond are challenging Republican incumbent Ruth Anderson.
Potomac Supervisor (a purple district in local years, heavily blue in federal and gubernatorial years) Democrat Andrea Bailey is running again to take the seat currently held by Republican Maureen Caddigan.
Woodbridge Supervisor (very “blue” district): Democrat Margaret Angela Franklin is running for the seat currently held by Democratic incumbent Frank Principi, who has not formally declared re-election, but it is highly rumored that he will be running for Chairman of the Board.
At-Large Supervisor Chairman/Chairwoman (Entire County; note that Tim Kaine romped in PW County on November 6 by 32 points, beating Corey Stewart 2-to-1): Democrats Ann Wheeler and Deshunda Jefferson are running against Republican Marty Nohe and possibly Republican incumbent Corey Stewart.
Note, that means we just need one more candidate (for the Gainesville District) to have a Democrat running in every single county board seat, and we’re not even in 2019 yet! With 34 seats up next year (State Senate, State Delegate, County Board, School Board, Soil & Water, Sheriff & Commonwealth’s Attorney) it’s going to be a big year for Prince William County and Virginia.
We need your help, though. Our historic wins in 2017 were only made possible by folks out there like you having our backs; we’ll need that kind of support again!