Manassas Primary Election: City Council Candidates To Be Decided

MANASSAS, VA — While the presidential election and congressional elections are the nation's most closely-watched races this year, City of Manassas will also have mayor and City Council on the ballot in November. A Democratic primary will be held for three City Council seats. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on June 18, 2024, for the primary election.

The Democratic primary election will determine candidates for three City Council seats. Four Manassas School Board seats will be on the ballot in November along with mayor and City Council.

Candidates in the City Council primary are Ashley Hutson, Tom Osina, Mark Wolfe, Samantha Tungul and Anthony McGhee.

Hutson, who works for the Heavy Construction Contractors Association, has outlined campaign priorities of listening and acting on community and business needs, funding Manassas City Public Schools to give students employable skills, making forward-thinking land use decisions, supporting attainable housing, and keeping Manassas a good place to live, play and work.

Osina, a current City Council member and small business owner involved with the Georgetown South HOA, is running on campaign priorities of growing economic prosperty, strengthening neighborhoods and housing opportunities, providing quality public safety, advancing solid finances and supporting education serving all students.

Wolfe has indicated campaign priorities of continuing to attract high paying jobs, funding education, and building on quality of life.

Tungul is running on a campaign to support affordable housing, smart economic development, environmental sustainability, and more inclusive local politics.

McGhee's campaign priorities are leveraging the Manassas Airport to support economic growth, supporting veterans through affordable housing, transitional services and job training, and supporting youth through summer job programs and workforce development.

In the mayoral race, Democratic Mayor Michelle Davis-Younger has already announced a re-election bid and is unopposed in the party. Davis-Younger was first elected as mayor in 2021 after being elected to City Council in 2019.

On Tuesday, the Manassas Republican Party formally nominated its candidates for mayor and City Council to run in the November general election. Republican Xiao-Yin (Tang) Byrom, an immigrant from Taiwan who started the business Tang's Alterations Bridal & Bespoke in Manassas, is running for mayor. For City Council, Robyn Williams, Lynn Forkell Greene and Stephen Kent will be the Republican candidates. There will not be a Republican City Council or mayoral primary in Manassas.

What Else Is on the Primary Ballot

Because Virginia voters are not registered by party, they may cast a ballot in either the Democratic or Republican primary. Sample ballots for the Democratic and Republican primaries are available here.

The Republican and Democratic ballots in the City of Manassas include a primary to choose candidates for the 10th congressional district. Current Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D-Leesburg) is not seeking re-election after receiving a progressive supra-nuclear palsy diagnosis.

Candidates in the Republican primary for the 10th congressional district are Mike Clancy, Alex Isaac, Aliscia Andrews and Manga Anantatmula.

Democratic primary candidates include Eileen Filler-Corn, Suhas Subramanyam, Atif Qarni, Dan Helmer, Marion Devoe, Krystle Kaul, Jennifer Boysko, Adrian Pokharel, Michelle Maldonado, Mark Leighton, David Reid and Travis Nembhard.

In addition, there is a Republican primary for U.S. Senate to determine a candidate who will challenge Sen. Tim Kaine in November. Candidates include Hung Cao, Eddie Garcia, Jonathan Emord, Chuck Smith and Scott Parkinson.

If you live in the Manassas area of Prince William County, you will only have congressional elections on the ballot. Check with the Prince William County Office of Elections for sample ballots and more voting information.

How to Vote

The deadline for voter registration was May 28, but same-day registration is available to let voters cast a provisional ballot. Voters who will be 18 by the next general election on Nov. 5, 2024, can register to vote in the primary.

To vote on Election Day (Tuesday, June 18), visit your assigned polling place during voting hours from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Check your polling place using the Virginia Department of Elections citizens portal or see a map of City of Manassas precincts. An acceptable form of ID is required to vote in person.

If you received a mail-in ballot, return the completed ballot by 7 p.m. on June 18 or have it postmarked by June 18. It must be received by the Manassas Voter Registration and Elections Office by noon on June 21. The deadline to apply for a mail-in ballot was June 7. Voters may return the ballot by mail, a secure drop box outside the Manassas Voter Registration and Elections Office at 9025 Center St., or in person at the Manassas Voter Registration and Elections Office at 9025 Center St. weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

After polls close at 7 p.m. on June 18, preliminary election results will be tallied on the Virginia Department of Elections website. Patch will provide coverage of the City Council primary as well as other key races in Northern Virginia.

For more information on voting in the City of Manassas, visit the Manassas Voter Registration and Elections Office website.