11th District Congressional Candidate Forum: How To Watch

FAIRFAX, VA — For a second time this political season, voters in the 11th Congressional District will have an opportunity to hear the two candidates vying for the late U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly's seat in Congress speak at a candidate forum.

The League of Women Voters of the Fairfax Area is hosting the forum, which will air on Fairfax Public Access, Channel 10 TV and/or livestreamed here at 8 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 18. Voters can submit questions for Democrat James Walkinshaw and Republican Stewart Whitson by calling the number in the link.

The two candidates participated in a July 28 candidate forum sponsored by the Reston Citizens Association at the Reston Community Center - Hunter Woods. They debated a variety of topics, including climate change, energy policy, immigration, and the federal government's role in education.

Congressional Candidates Tackle Crime Data

On Monday, Whitson and Walkinshaw shared their opinions on President Donald Trump's announcement that he was assuming control of the Metropolitan Police Department and sending the National Guard into Washington, D.C.

"The safety and security of our nation's capital should never be a partisan issue. D.C. has faced a historic rise in violent crime, and too often, politics has gotten in the way of allowing law enforcement to do their jobs," Whitson said. "We also know that some crime in D.C. has been underreported — another example of soft-on-crime policies that make it harder for police to keep communities safe. I support any lawful action that restores order, protects innocent residents, and ensures our officers and first responders have the tools and backing they need."

In his response, Walkinshaw said violent crime spiked nationally and in the District due to Trump's failure to address the COVID crisis and the culture of chaos and law-breaking that he embodies during his first term. He added that violent crime has decreased and capital city's crime rate is the lowest it's been in 30 years.

"Deploying the National Guard will do nothing to improve public safety in D.C.," Walkinshaw said. "It’s yet another transparent attempt to distract from the crises Trump has created — a failing economy, rising prices, and his Administration’s cover up of the Epstein files."

During the July 28 candidate forum in Reston, neither candidate was asked directly about constituent safety concerns or violent crime in Northern Virginia. Instead, they each addressed the topics in their responses to other questions.

Also See ...

• Immigration, Climate Change, School Funding Debated During Reston Forum
• 11th District GOP Candidates Spent Half Of Money Raised For Primary
• $2.2M Spent By Democrats In 11th District Congressional Primary
• Stewart Whitson Running For Congress To Listen, Represent Voters' Values
• Opposing Trump Policies Reason Walkinshaw Seeks To Succeed Connolly In Congress

"Fairfax County is the safest large jurisdiction in the United States of America," said Walkinshaw, who represents the Braddock District on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, which oversees public safety funding. "That's not what I say. That's what the International Association of the Chiefs of Police said. They collect the violent crime data on every jurisdiction, and we have the lowest. We do that because we focus on community policing, and we focus on partnering with everyone in our community, including immigrant communities, and we invest in our police department."

Whitson called out his opponent for claiming that he was investing in the police department.

"I find that laughable, because this is the guy that voted to give himself a $30,000 pay raise at a time when crime was on the rise in Fairfax County, and we're short 200 law enforcement officers. Now he's up here claiming that he's focused on investing in our police department. I think that's just a joke."

Vacancies At Fairfax County Police Department

The Fiscal Year 2026 budget that the board of supervisors adopted in May included the elimination of 63 full-time positions, by cutting 47 vacant uniformed positions and reclassifying 19 uniformed positions to civilian positions

“While this appears to be a significant reduction to police officer staffing, it is aligning positions and funding to current practice as well as strengthening department operations,” the adopted budget says. “When staffing levels improve, funding and positions will need to be added back to make this station fully operational.”

Read More About FCPD's Focus On Recruitment

As of Aug. 7, the Fairfax County Police Department has 97 sworn officer vacancies, according to an FCPD spokesman, who added that the number continues to improve thanks to recruitment and retention efforts progress.

"Our most recent academy class, Session 90, marks a significant step forward. With 51 recruits, it is the largest class we have welcomed in several years, representing diverse backgrounds and a strong commitment to public service," the spokesman said.

"The dedication of these new recruits reflects our department’s ongoing investment in building a well-staffed, highly trained, and community-focused police force. We remain committed to closing the vacancy gap while ensuring the highest standards in training, professionalism, and service to Fairfax County."

The Aug. 18 forum is co-sponsored by the Central Fairfax Chamber of Commerce, Fairfax County Alumnae Chapter Deta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated; Fairfax County Federation of Citizens Associations; Fairfax County Council PTA; Fairfax County NAACP; REV UP Virginia.

Voting Information For Sept. 9 Special Election

See a sample ballot for Sept. 9 special election in the 11th Congressional District.

Voting in the special election is open to any resident of the 11th Congressional District. Visit this Citizen Portal or call the Office of Elections at 703-222-0776 to confirm your eligibility.

Beginning Friday, voters will be able to cast ballots in-person at two polling places, with an additional nine locations opening on Aug. 29. Find your polling location.

Open July 25 – Sept. 6

• Fairfax County Government Center: 12000 Government Center Parkway, Conference Room 7, Fairfax, 22035. Monday-Friday: 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Saturdays (Aug. 30, Sept. 6): 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Closed Monday, Sept. 1 (Labor Day)
• North County Governmental Center: 1801 Cameron Glen Drive, Reston, 20190 Monday – Friday: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m. Saturdays (Aug. 30, Sept. 6): 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., closed Monday, Sept. 1 (Labor Day)

Open Aug. 29 – Sept. 6

• Burke Centre Library: 5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke 22015. Monday – Friday: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Saturdays: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., closed Monday, Sept. 1 (Labor Day)
• Centreville Regional Library: 14200 St. Germain Drive, Centreville 20121. Monday – Friday: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Saturdays: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., closed Monday, Sept. 1 (Labor Day)
• Franconia Governmental Center: 6121 Franconia Road, Alexandria 22310. Monday – Friday: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Saturdays: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., closed Monday, Sept. 1 (Labor Day)
• Great Falls Library: 9830 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls 22066. Monday – Friday: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Saturdays: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., closed Monday, Sept. 1 (Labor Day)
• Herndon Fortnightly Library: 768 Center St., Herndon 20170. Monday – Friday: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Saturdays: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., closed Monday, Sept. 1 (Labor Day)
• Jim Scott Community Center: 3001 Vaden Drive, Fairfax 22031. Monday – Friday, 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Saturdays, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., closed Monday, Sept. 1 (Labor Day)
• Lorton Community Center: 9520 Richmond Highway, Lorton 22079. Monday – Friday: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Saturdays: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., closed Monday, Sept. 1 (Labor Day)
• Sully Governmental Center: 4900 Stonecroft Boulevard, Chantilly 20151, Monday – Friday: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Saturdays: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., closed Monday, Sept. 1 (Labor Day)
• West Springfield Governmental Center: 6140 Rolling Road, Springfield 22152. Monday – Friday, 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Saturdays: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., closed Monday, Sept. 1 (Labor Day)

Five Fairfax County polling places will not be open during the special election: Mason Governmental Center, McLean Governmental Center, Mount Vernon Governmental Center, Thomas Jefferson Library and Tysons-Pimmit Library.

The deadline to apply for a special election ballot to be mailed to you is 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 28. Your request must be received by the local registrar's office by 5 p.m. Requests made by mail for a mail-in ballot must be postmarked by Sept. 2. Apply for an absentee ballot online using the Citizen Portal.

The in-person deadline to register normally or update your registration is 5 p.m. on Sept. 2. Same day registration is available at early voting locations Sept. 3 - Sept. 6. The early voting period ends at 5 p.m. on Sept. 6.

In order to be counted, mail-in ballots must be postmarked by Sept. 9 and received by 12 p.m. on Sept. 12.

To vote on Election Day, visit your assigned polling place between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. An acceptable form of ID is required to vote in person. Same day registration is available only at your local polling place by completing a provisional ballot.

The deadline for returning a mail ballot in a drop box or by hand delivery to the Election office is 7 p.m. on Sept. 9.

More information for Fairfax County voters is available online.