Creating More Affordable Housing Priority For Ilryong Moon: Candidate Questionnaire

BURKE, VA — While many issues have fueled School Board Member Ilryong Moon's (At-Large) to seek the open Braddock District seat on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, the issue he is most passionate about is creating more affordable housing in the county.

"Affordable housing is at the core of enabling Fairfax to invest in public schools and other essential services," he said. "Rising costs of rentals and homeownership make it increasingly difficult for working families to live near where they work, forcing long commutes that create traffic congestion, reduce quality of life, and weaken the local labor market when employees eventually relocate."

Four candidates are running to represent the Democratic Party on the Dec. 9 special election ballot: Moon, Rachna Sizemore Heizer, Sabrina Mattin, and April Pavis Shroeder. The winner of the Oct. 4 firehouse primary will face Republican Ken Balbuena on Dec. 9.

When incumbent James Walkinshaw (D-Braddock) defeated Republican challenger Stewart Whitson on Sept. 9 to fill the congressional seat held by U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly (D), who died in May, Walkinshaw's seat on the Fairfax Board of Supervisors became vacant.

After a Fairfax County Circuit Court judge called for a Dec. 9 special election to fill the vacant board seat, the Fairfax County Democratic Committee scheduled a firehouse primary for Oct. 4, from 9 a.m to 5 p.m., at the following three locations:

• Braddock District Supervisor’s Office, 9002 Burke Lake Road, Burke
• Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax
• Landings Community Center, 6001 Cove Landing Road, Burke

Online early voting will be available Oct. 2-4. More information on how to vote in the primary is available on the Fairfax County Democrats website.

As part of its coverage of the Oct. 4 primary, Patch has asked each of the Democrats in the race to fill out a questionnaire to describe why they think they're the best person to represent their party in December. The following are Moon's responses.

Name

Ilryong Moon

What will be your age on election day?

68

What is your occupation and the number of years you've worked in this field?

I retired this past year after forty years as a small business attorney. I also spent four years on the Fairfax County Planning Commission and am currently serving my 23rd year on the Fairfax County School Board.

What is the single issue that defines your candidacy?

While many issues have fueled my campaign, the one I am most passionate about is creating affordable housing in Fairfax County. Affordable housing is at the core of enabling Fairfax to invest in public schools and other essential services. Rising costs of rentals and homeownership make it increasingly difficult for working families to live near where they work, forcing long commutes that create traffic congestion, reduce quality of life, and weaken the local labor market when employees eventually relocate. Retirees face similar challenges; downsizing from larger homes, they often find smaller units in the county still prohibitively expensive, pushing long-term residents to leave and taking years of community ties and civic engagement with them.

Without a range of affordable options, Fairfax risks losing both its workforce and longstanding residents, undermining economic competitiveness and social stability. I am committed to working with the private sector to remove regulatory hurdles, incentivize higher-density housing accessible to all income levels, and streamline government processes to reduce waste—using those savings to ease the property tax burden for every resident.

What makes you the best candidate to represent the Democratic Party in the Dec. 9 special election?

My journey of public service on the Fairfax County School Board and the Planning Commission has spanned more than 25 years. On the Planning Commission, I analyzed proposals and worked closely on community development projects, including the laying of foundation for development of the Mosaic District and Fairfax Corner. These experiences showed me how thoughtful planning can strengthen neighborhoods, foster community engagement, and better serve residents.

Alongside public service, I bring over forty years of law practice, helping ordinary people and small business owners, many of whom are not native English speakers. This work has given me a deep understanding of the challenges families and businesses face, and the importance of ensuring equitable access to resources and opportunities. Public service is rooted in who I am as a South Korean immigrant, a non-native English speaker, and someone who has overcome poverty. A Braddock resident since 1987 and parent of two Fairfax County Public Schools graduates, I deeply love this community and am committed to keeping Fairfax the best place to live, work, and raise a family.

What impacts have the Trump administration's policies had on Fairfax County and how would you advocate for your constituents in addressing those policies?

Fairfax County has felt the impact of the Trump administration’s efforts to defund federal jobs and contractors central to our community. Historically marginalized groups, including immigrants and the LGBTQ+ community, have faced the consequences of overreach and lack of due process, leaving students and staff understandably fearful. As an immigrant whose opportunities in this country would have been improbable elsewhere, I am committed to ensuring everyone has a fair chance to pursue their ambitions, no matter who they are or where they come from.

I will never allow bigotry or partisan agendas to dictate how people live their lives, whether in schools, workplaces, or public spaces. Every corner of Fairfax County must be safe and welcoming for all residents to be their authentic selves. We must raise awareness of LGBTQIA+ issues, support equity initiatives, and protect the rights of every individual. I am proud to have led efforts to establish non-discrimination protections, and I will continue fighting to make Fairfax a county where everyone can thrive. I proudly brought a motion to include sexual orientation in our non-discrimination policy in 2014 and second the motion to expand it to include gender identity in 2015.

Also See ...

• Keeping Fairfax Co. Affordable For All Aim Of Sabrina Mattin: Questionnaire
• Opportunities For Residents To Thrive Rachna Sizemore Heizer's Goal: Candidate
• Affordability Top Issue For April Pavis Shroeder: Braddock Primary Candidate
• Special Election To Fill Vacant Braddock District Seat Scheduled