McDaniel Picks Up Endorsements From 2 Fairfax School Board Members

Update (March 10, 9 a.m.): Former Virginia Secretary of Education Atif Qarni also endorsed Kyle McDaniel's campaign in the race to fill one of the three at-large school board seats, according to a March 10 campaign release.

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — Fairfax County School Board Members Laura Jane Cohen (Springfield) and Megan McLaughlin (Braddock) have endorsed Kyle McDaniel, a Herndon resident who is running for one of the board's three at-large seats.

“Having known Kyle McDaniel for more than a decade, I am happy to endorse him for an At-Large position on the School Board," McLaughlin said, in a release from McDaniel's campaign. "His extensive experience in government, as well as being a small business owner and a father will provide him with a valuable perspective on matters that impact our schools. He will work with the community, parents, students, teachers, and staff to move FCPS into a bright future.”

Cohen was also pleased to support McDaniel's campaign.

"I know what it takes to get the job done and Kyle’s knowledge, enthusiasm, and deep commitment to our county make him an ideal candidate to help protect and defend public education in these difficult times," she said, in the release.

RELATED: Democrat Kyle McDaniel Enters At-Large School Board Race In Fairfax

"As we enter this post-COVID world, we have a choice to make: we can embrace fear and cynicism, or we can lean into hope and optimism," McDaniels said, in his campaign release. "I know what I choose. We need a school board that looks ahead and builds a brighter future for all students in a safe and welcoming environment.”

On Monday, McDaniel's campaign announced that the candidate had also received the endorsement of Julie P. Shepard, a military families advocate and the 2022 Hampton Roads Military Spouse of the year.

All school board candidates run as independent candidates. In his initial campaign announcement, McDaniel said he was seeking the Democratic Party's endorsement. He is running against fellow Democrats Abrar Omeish, the incumbent at-large member on the school board; Lawrence Webb, a former member of the Falls Church City School Board and former School Board Member Ilryong Moon.

Other candidates who have registered to run in the at-large school board race included Cassandra Aucoin, Saundra Davis, Linda Pellegrino, and Mark Stanley Tenney, according to the Virginia Public Access Project.

Online voting for the endorsement caucus will take place from May 13, at 10 a.m. to May 20, at 4 p.m. In-person voting will take place on May 20, from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m., at locations to be announced at a future date.

Those wishing to cast a ballot in the caucus must be a registered voter and must be pre-register for the caucus. Pre-registration opens on April 10, at 10 a.m., and closes on May 5.