Saundra Davis Runs As Independent In Braddock School Board Race

BURKE, VA — Saundra Davis, a Republican who previously ran for school board and the Virginia House of Delegates, has filed paperwork with the Virginia Department of Elections to run as an independent candidate in Braddock District School Board race.

Davis will be challenging small business owner Tom Dannan, who received the Democratic Party's endorsement after defeating fellow Democrat Alexa Krezel in Saturday's firehouse primary.

A mother of three adult children who graduated from Fairfax County Public Schools, Davis hopes to bring independent thinking and practical solutions to education leadership, according to her campaign website.

"Saundra is committed to trust, transparency, responsible use of taxpayer dollars, and working across traditional lines to deliver results for families in the Braddock District — always keeping students at the center of every decision," according to the website.

As the director of a secure memory-care community, Davis has experience balancing budgets while meeting the needs of vulnerable populations. The is currently a member of the Virginia Public Guardian and Conservator Advisory Board.

Last November, Laura Jane Cohen defeated Davis in the District 15 House of Delegates race. Cohen received 27,353 (67.39 percent) of the votes cast, doubling the 13,146 (32.39 percent) garnered.

In 2023, Davis ran as one of the nine candidates seeking one of the three at-large seats on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. She received 97,906 votes (11.49 percent), finishing fourth behind winners Kyle McDaniel, Ryan McElveen, and Ilryong Moon.

Also See ...

• Primary Results: Braddock District Democrats Pick School Board Candidate
• Every Child Receiving World-Class Education A Priority For Alexa Krezel
• He'll Do Everything He Can To Put Kids First, Tom Dannan Says
• Democratic Candidates In School Board Race To Square Off In Firehouse Primary

While Krezel could technically still run as an independent in the March 3 special election, each of the Democrats on the primary ballot agreed to submit a candidate withdrawal form and withdrawal authorization letter to the Fairfax County Democratic Committee, which will submit them to the Fairfax County General Registrar sometime this week.

The school board seat became vacant on Dec. 16, when Rachna Sizemore Heizer was sworn in as the new Braddock District supervisor. She was elected to that post by defeating Republican Kenneth P. "Ken" Balbuena and Independent candidate Carey Chet Campbell in the Dec. 9 special election.

Any registered voter in the Braddock District can cast a ballot in the March 3 special election. The early voting period runs from Jan. 16 to Feb. 28 at the following location:

• Fairfax County Government Center, Room 323, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax; Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m and Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

A second polling location in the Braddock District will be open Feb. 21-28:

• Burke Centre Library, 5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke 22015; Monday-Friday, Feb. 21-28, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The deadline to register to vote, update your registration or apply to have your ballot mailed to you is Feb. 20. For more information, visit the Virginia Department of Elections website