Competitive Economy Creates Opportunity For Everyone: District 7 Candidate Cassandra Aucoin

FAIRFAX, VA — Affordability is the issue Republican Cassandra Aucion hears about the most from residents of the Virginia House of Delegates' District 7.

"With federal downsizing ahead, we must innovate, spend wisely, and build a stronger, more competitive economy that creates opportunity for everyone," she said. "Families, seniors, and young people deserve the chance to live, work, and retire here without being priced out and to build their futures right here in Fairfax County."

Aucoin is one of two candidates running in the Nov. 4 general election to represent District 7 in the House of Delegates. She faces incumbent Del. Karen Keyes-Gamarra (D-Reston). Early voting is already underway

As part of its coverage of the 2025 election, Patch has asked each of the candidates in the District 7 race to fill out a questionnaire to describe why they think they're the best person to fill the job for which they're running. The following are Aucoin's responses.

Name

Cassandra Aucoin

Position Sought

House of Delegates - District 7

Age (as of Election Day)

Family: Names, ages and any pertinent details you wish to share.

My husband is Joe, 38-year Navy veteran and two adult children, a son in the Navy, a daughter who graduated from a Virginia college.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? This includes any relatives who work in the government you're a candidate in.

No.

Education

Bachelor's of Science in Business Management, Virginia Tech

Occupation

I am a retired federal employee with nearly 40 years of service. I held leadership roles in the Departments of Army, Navy, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, and the National Reconnaissance Office and I led major initiatives in strategic planning, budgeting, human resources, program analysis, and organizational change.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Political Office

I was a candidate for the Fairfax County School Board (At-Large) in 2023, running to strengthen accountability and student achievement.

Why are you seeking elective office?

I’ve lived in Reston for twenty years and have watched our community change, and not always for the better. Our neighborhoods bring together people from many backgrounds and experiences, a strength that makes Fairfax special but our representatives in Richmond and Fairfax continue to push policies that raise costs and reduce quality of life for everyone.

Fairfax residents now face some of the highest car taxes in the nation, excessive tolls, rising housing and energy costs, and an economy too dependent on federal jobs. Many families and seniors are living paycheck to paycheck, and housing prices are out of reach for too many first-time buyers. Our schools have become a one-size-fits-all system that leaves students behind, and public safety is at risk because of soft-on-crime policies and the challenges recruiting and retaining law enforcement, as human trafficking rises.

Single-party control has led to unchecked spending, costly mandates, and little accountability. One-sided leadership isn’t healthy for any community, especially one as diverse and dynamic as Fairfax. We need balance in Richmond that reflects the full range of voices and experiences in our community.

I’m running to restore balance, reform, and deliver common-sense solutions so every resident in District 7 can afford to stay, feel safe, and build strong futures here.

The single most pressing issue facing voters is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Affordability is the issue I hear about most from our community, from car taxes and tolls to housing, energy, and everyday essentials. With federal downsizing ahead, we must innovate, spend wisely, and build a stronger, more competitive economy that creates opportunity for everyone. Families, seniors, and young people deserve the chance to live, work, and retire here without being priced out and to build their futures right here in Fairfax County.

As Delegate, I will advocate for tax and toll reforms, starting with cutting the unfair car tax, lowering tolls, ending tax on tips so our residents can keep more of what they earn. I’ll also work to reform costly and unrealistic energy mandates, such as the Virginia Clean Economy Act, to lower power bills, maintain reliability, and support a balanced mix of energy sources.

I will advocate targeted investment, upgrading the power grid to meet growing data-center demand, modernizing Medicaid IT systems to protect coverage, reducing waste, and improve service. I will ensure public health funds are used effectively for mental health care and Lyme disease prevention and treatment, challenges affecting many families in our community.

To make housing more affordable, I will support responsible growth, work to streamline permitting, cut excessive fees, review real-estate taxes, and explore first time homebuyer initiatives. I’ll fight for fairer toll policies and more state support to reduce Northern Virginia’s worst congestion areas.

Public safety and quality of life go hand in hand. I will advocate for stronger penalties for human trafficking, fix early-release laws, and support law-enforcement recruiting and retention. I will also oppose a casino in Tysons; the social and economic costs are too high.

Federal downsizing will reshape our region’s economy, and Fairfax must stay competitive by diversifying its job base. Our policies should make it easier for people of all backgrounds to live and work here while supporting growth in emerging sectors. I’ll protect Virginia’s Right-to-Work law, cut red tape, and help small businesses grow and hire. I’ll also expand opportunities in technology, skilled trades, and entrepreneurship, partnering with employers to retrain workers for the jobs of tomorrow.

I will also focus on education, the foundation of a well-prepared workforce and a strong economy. Despite a multi-billion-dollar operating budget, Fairfax County’s 4th and 8th grade reading and math scores have shown little improvement since COVID and, in some cases, are below 2019 levels. I will advocate for independent reviews of spending and performance, a teacher pay plan, expanded vocational training, and more school-choice options so parents can make the best education choice for their child.

As your District 7 representative, I will work every day on these commonsense solutions to strengthen our community today and for future generations. I would be honored to earn your vote.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I am not a career politician. I served our country for nearly 40 years, leading large, complex federal organizations while balancing family life as a military spouse during my husband’s deployments. Those experiences taught me resilience, perspective, and the ability to listen and bring people together to solve problems. I know the challenges families face because I’ve lived them, and I know how government works because I’ve led in it.

My approach is results-driven, fiscally responsible, and community-focused, not guided by partisan ideology. I support small businesses and worker freedom, while my opponent supports repealing the Right-to-Work Act and raising the minimum wage that will hurt jobs and discourage employers from investing here.

I prioritize parental rights and notification, support law enforcement, and back reforms to keep dangerous repeat offenders off our streets. I support education alternatives so every child can succeed.

My opponent stated that I did not support the three Virginia constitutional amendments passed by the 2025 General Assembly. To set the record straight, I support restoring voting rights for felons who have completed their sentences. Same-sex marriage is already protected under federal law and affirmed by the U.S. Supreme Court, so additional state action is unnecessary.

Where we differ is the proposed Reproductive Freedom amendment. Virginia law already protects abortion access, yet this amendment goes much further. It would allow abortion at any stage of pregnancy, even up until birth, and remove medical and parental safeguards that protect women and families. It would also prevent lawmakers from setting reasonable health standards in the future. And as a parent, I cannot support enshrining in our constitution a measure that leaves parents out of critical medical decisions.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

Fairfax is facing a high cost of living, declining school performance, and growing safety concerns, challenges that have worsened after years of one-party control. Residents are paying more while seeing little accountability or measurable improvement.

In the 2025 General Assembly, several bills and budget proposals could have reduced the tax burden for District 7 residents and expanded school options for those who need them most. My opponent chose not to support these measures and offered no alternatives. She also opposed efforts to protect girls’ sports as girls-only, a matter of fairness and safety supported by most Virginians.

During her time on the Fairfax County School Board, my opponent backed policies that kept parents from being informed about their child’s gender-identity changes and voted to keep schools closed long after parents urged reopening. Those decisions eroded trust and left students behind academically.

These aren’t just policy differences, they have real consequences for our community: higher costs, fewer education choices, and a school system that too often shuts parents out.

So, when my opponent says we need a stronger Democrat majority for “maximum effectiveness,” I look at the results we have now and respectfully disagree. District 7 deserves leadership focused on accountability, lower costs, fairness, and stronger schools, leadership that puts our community first.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

My other priorities include improved public safety and health, stronger education, better commutes. I’ve touched on these throughout this survey, and I welcome anyone to reach out or visit my website for more details.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I bring real-world leadership experience. I’ve managed multi-billion-dollar budgets, developed long-range financial plans tied to strategic goals, and led program analyses that delivered millions in savings. I’ve directed teams, offices, and organizations, driving process and organizational reforms, including standing up a new department and creating a career service model later adopted across an entire agency.

Beyond government service, I founded and advised military spouse and community organizations, including a Japanese American group, helping strengthen families and build lasting community networks at home and abroad.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

People like to be heard — so listen.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

As a military spouse, living overseas in Japan and traveling throughout Asia was an invaluable opportunity. Experiencing different cultures taught me that our backgrounds and perspectives shape how we see the world. That understanding made me a better listener and communicator who seeks common ground and focuses on practical, commonsense solutions that bring people together.

Growing up in military communities and later serving as a military spouse taught me the importance of strong, supportive neighborhoods and commitment to service, reinforced through my professional career with the Department of Defense.

These experiences shape how I’ll serve District 7 — by listening to everyone, focusing on results, and strengthening our community for all who call it home.

I would be honored to earn your vote and serve as your voice in Richmond.

For any questions or to share what matters most to you, you can reach me at aucoin4delegate@gmail.com.

Also See ...

• Karen Keys-Gamarra Running For Reelection To House Of Delegates: Candidate Questionnaire
• 'Hateful, Bigoted Attacks' By John Reid Prompt Response From 18 VA Lawmakers
• Obamacare Tax Credits Key To Small Businesses In VA: Walkinshaw
• Walkinshaw Claims VA’s 11th Congressional District, Keeping Seat Blue