Rives Qualifies For November Ballot In Arlington School Board Race

ARLINGTON, VA — James "Vell" Rives has qualified for the Nov. 7 general election ballot for Arlington School Board, his campaign announced Wednesday.

Rives, a psychiatrist, is a past co-chair of Arlington Public Schools' School Health Advisory Board. He currently represents the School Health Advisory Board on the Arlington Addiction Recovery Initiative.

In 2022, Rives also ran for Arlington School Board, losing to Bethany Sutton in the general election. His campaign priorities in 2023 are school safety, academic rigor and teacher retention.

Rives is hoping to replace Arlington School Board Chair Reid Goldstein, who decided not to seek re-election.

Also on the November general election ballot will be either Miranda Turner and Angelo Cocchiaro, who are seeking the endorsement of the local Democratic Party in the school board race. Goldstein has announced his support for Cocchiaro to replace him on the school board.

Voting in the Arlington County Democratic Committee endorsement process for school board will be held in May at three locations.

An Arlington resident for 24 years, Rives and his wife Carmen have two children who attend Wakefield High School and Gunston Middle School.