Virginia's 1st Female County Sheriff Will Not Seek Re-Election In 2023

ARLINGTON, VA — Arlington County Sheriff Beth Arthur, the first female county sheriff in Virginia, announced Tuesday she will not be seeking re-election in 2023 for a position she has held since 2000.

Arthur was appointed sheriff in July 2000 by the Arlington Circuit Court when Sheriff Thomas Faust resigned to take another job and was elected sheriff in a special election in November 2000. She was re-elected in November 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015 and 2019.

"It has been a privilege and honor to serve the citizens of Arlington County as their sheriff, but after more than 22 years as Sheriff, and 36 years with the Sheriff’s Office, I think it is time to hang up my spurs," Arthur said in a statement Tuesday.

Arthur leads a staff of 298, manages the Arlington County Detention Center, administers security of the courthouse and oversees a $47 million budget.

During her tenure as sheriff, Arthur has served as president of the Virginia Sheriffs’ Association, the first female ever elected. She serves on the board of governors and executive committee of the American Correctional Association.

Arthur is also a member of the American Jail Association, Arlington NAACP, Arlington Gay & Lesbian Alliance, Arlington Committee of 100 and Arlington Historical Society. She graduated with a bachelor of science degree from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1983.

Sheriffs are the only locally elected constitutional law enforcement officers in Virginia, as provided in the state's constitution. Sheriffs are elected every four years. Other constitutional officers in Arlington are clerk of the Circuit Court, treasurer, commissioner of revenue and commonwealth’s attorney.

Arthur began her career with the sheriff’s office in January 1986 as a budget analyst under Sheriff James Gondles and was promoted to director of administration in 1988, a position she held until her appointment to sheriff in 2000.