Fairfax City Election: When Is A Recommendation Not An Endorsement?

FAIRFAX CITY, VA — Some candidates were confused last week by a political mailer from U.S. Rep. Connolly (D) that endorsed four Democratic Party candidates running in City of Fairfax races and recommended three people running as independent nonpartisan candidates.

Each of the candidates Connolly recommended said they were surprised by the mailer: Stacy Hall, Rachel McQuillen and Tom Peterson. All three said they did not seek the congressman’s endorsement or recommendation.

“I’m honored to have received Representative Connolly’s recommendation to voters of the City of Fairfax,” Peterson told Patch. “At the same time, I continue to support all nonpartisan independent candidates and am committed to working with everyone inside and outside government, regardless of party, to represent citizens of the City and make the best decisions on their behalf.”

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McQuillen also said she was honored by Connolly’s recommendation, especially since she didn’t seek it.

“It’s encouraging to see that even well-known political figures recognize the strengths and qualifications of our group of independent candidates,” she said. “However, I remain focused on running as an Independent, fully committed to serving all of Fairfax City. My goal is to be an approachable, transparent representative who listens to every voice, and these endorsements are just another reminder that our team is made up of capable individuals ready to lead.”

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Hall was likewise surprised and honored to see her name on the mailing.

“I think this recommendation has helped raise awareness for all the independent candidates, especially coming from such a respected political figure,” she said, in an email to Patch. “I am running as an independent candidate, and my focus remains unchanged; I will continue to advocate for my platform: "This is YOUR city and YOUR voice matters.’ I encourage voters to research all candidates thoroughly before casting their votes.”

Patch reached out to the Connolly for Congress campaign for comment and received the following response from a campaign spokesman:

“Congressman Connolly works closely with the City Council and needs cooperative partners who share our values, not partisan operatives who feign non-partisanship. He believes Democratic voters should vote for six candidates to ensure MAGA Republicans don't gain a foothold on the City Council. The six candidates he endorsed are best prepared to serve on the City Council and that Democratic voters should vote for all six."

The other candidates on Connolly’s mailer — Mayor Catherine Read, incumbent City Council member Billy Bates and city council candidates Taylor A. Geaghan and Stacey Hardy-Chandler — were endorsed by the City of Fairfax Democratic Committee in June.

“The City of Fairfax Democratic Committee did not consult with Congressman Connolly on his recent mailer, but as always, we appreciate his support for Democrats up and down the ballot,” said committee president Laura Stokes, in an email. “Our focus has been and will always be working to elect Democrats at all levels. We encourage voters in the city of Fairfax to learn more at fairfax24.com.”

In June, Hall, McQuillen and Peterson, along with mayoral candidate Susan Hartley Kuiler; incumbent council members Kate Doyle Feingold and Jeff Greenfield; and city council candidate Anthony Amos banded together as independent nonpartisan candidates, choosing not to seek the endorsement of any political party.

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All candidates running for city office in Fairfax City appear as “Independent” on the official ballot, even if they’ve been endorsed by a political party or are running as nonpartisan independent candidates.

In addition to the candidates already mentioned, there are other candidates on the official ballot running as independents who have not been endorsed by the City Democrats nor are associated with the independent nonpartisan candidates. They are Amini Elizabeth Bonane and Jack Ryan are running for the city council and Lauren Bartelme, Kristina M. Cecere, Amit Hickman, Sarah Kelsey and Carolyn Pitches are in the school board race.