Early Bird Candidate Enters Braddock School Board Race

BURKE, VA — Even though a special election hasn't been scheduled to choose the next Braddock District representative to the Fairfax County School Board, a candidate has already declared his intention to run if such a race is scheduled.

Small business owner Tom Dannan announced on Thursday that he will seek the endorsement of the Fairfax County Democratic Committee in a bid to succeed incumbent school board member Rachna Sizemore Heizer (Braddock).

“Our schools are at a crossroads,” Dannan said. “We’ve made incredible progress in recent years — stronger academics, safer schools, and historic gains for teachers and staff — but attacks on public education and new challenges demand steady, forward-looking leadership. I’m running for School Board in Braddock District to protect and strengthen our public schools by listening to teachers, families, and students, and by making sure we’re preparing our kids for their future, not our past.”

After defeating three other candidates in the Democratic Party's firehouse primary on Oct. 5, Sizemore Heizer will face Republican Ken Balbuena in the Braddock District supervisor's race in the Dec. 9 special election.

When then-incumbent Supervisor 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.

Although all school board members appear as independents on the ballot, they can seek the endorsement of either political party, which is what Dannan is doing. Since the Braddock District leans toward the Democratic Party politically, Sizemore Heizer is expected to win.

If she does, then a special election will be scheduled to choose her successor.

“It seems Braddock residents are voting every month in 2025," Dannan said. "I am announcing my candidacy now because it is incredibly important that we aren’t caught flat-footed in this third back-to-back special election. In the weeks ahead, as I raise funds and meet with voters, I will be knocking doors to ensure we elect Abigail Spanberger and the entire Democratic ticket in November, and Rachna Sizemore Heizer in December.”

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One of the reasons Dannan and his wife moved to the Braddock District was the area's outstanding public school system, according to his campaign announcement. They have two students in Fairfax County Public Schools, one in the Academic Program at White Oaks Elementary and another at Terra Centre, receiving the same speech services he received when he was growing up.

In his first year as PTA president, Dannan helped increase membership by 46 percent and fundraising by 44 percent.

Dannan listed the following priorities he would focus on if elected to the school board:

• Investing in teachers and staff through full funding of collective bargaining agreements and expanded professional supports.
• Protecting public education by standing up for local control, increasing funding, and keeping taxpayer dollars in public schools where they belong.
• Preparing students for the future by thoughtfully integrating technology and AI to enhance rather than hinder classroom instruction.
• Ensuring safe, welcoming schools by preventing gun violence, investing in proper security, and fostering inclusion.
• Promoting student mental health through continued no-cost high school supports and expanded services for younger learners.
• Advancing environmental leadership by expanding energy efficiency and climate resilience efforts that already save FCPS nearly $10 million annually.