McKay Running For Second Term As Chairman Of Fairfax County Board

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — Jeff McKay, the chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, announced on Thursday that he was seeking reelection. The one-term Democrat faces an opponent in the June 20 primary and a Republican challenger on the Nov. 7 ballot.

Since McKay was sworn-in as chairman in 2020, Fairfax County has undergone a number of significant changes, from the racial reckoning following George Floyd's murder at the hands of Minneapolis police, to the county board's response to the pandemic and its adoption the One Fairfax policy.

In his campaign announcement. McKay admitted that much remained to be done, but that he was optimistic about the county's future.

"When we were faced with the worst, Fairfax County was at its best," McKay said. "We came through for each other, and proved what we have known all along: Only when we all work together, and include every unique and valuable perspective, can we reach our potential."

McKay said he was proud of the way county employees provided reliable information and rolled out an "unprecidented vaccination program" during the pandemic to keep people safe and save lives.

"Every resident of our county has been affected by the loss, the fear, the uncertainty, and the aftermath of COVID-19," he said. "But in the midst of it all, I witnessed something truly amazing: In the darkest and most uncertain times in our county’s history, we showed our great light and incredible capacity. We stood together, everyone pitched in, and we maintained our high standard of services and excellence. I am extraordinarily proud of our response to this unprecedented crisis, and honored to represent you; the amazing residents of Fairfax County."

McKay's first challenge will be the June 20 primary, when he squares off against retired CIA employee Lisa Downing, who is running to make the county more affordable and equitable for its residents.

“I am committed to a vibrant, diverse Fairfax, where the people who work in Fairfax can live in Fairfax," the Dunn Loring resident said, on her campaign website. "I will work to right-size our budget so that what we value — schools, social services, and safety — receive the resources required to operate at their highest potential. We are One Fairfax.”

Whoever wins the primary will then go on to face Republican Arthur Purves, a Vienna resident and president of the Fairfax County Taxpayers Alliance.

Purves has come out strongly against the real estate tax increases that the board has passed under McKay's leadership.

"Specifically for 20 years [they] have recklessly raised real estate taxes three times faster than household income; the police force is short 200 officers due to resignations; they're spending millions in a crusade against a non-existent climate crisis; and they ruined businesses and careers, disrupted families, and exacerbated the mental health crisis with their unconstitutional lockdowns and vaccine mandates," he said, in an email to Patch in March.

Purves also criticized the board's recent decision to authorize a 30 percent pay increase ($123,283) for supervisors and a 38 percent increase ($138,283) for the chairman.

McKay has also come under scrutiny for using a county take-home vehicle for personal use, according to a WJLA 7News investigation. He reportedly was seen driving the vehicle to a campaign event for Braddock Supervisor James Walkinshaw.

Read WJLA 7News' Full report.

In the latest campaign finance filings, McKay has substantially outraised both of his opponents, according to the Virginia Public Access Project.

• Jeffrey McKay (D) - $301,280
• Arthur Purves (D) - $3,000
• Lisa Downing (D) - N/A

While McKay reported he received only $13,825 in donations since the start of 2023, he had $249,742 in the bank at the end of 2022. As of March 31, his campaign had a total of $301,280 on hand.

Most of McKay's money comes from donations of $100 or more, the top three donors were Firefighters - Local 2068 ($20,000), Main Street Virginia PAC ($18,000), and Nova Area Labor Federation ($12,500).

While Firefighters - Local 2068 and Nova Area Labor Federation are labor organizations that overwhelming support Democratic Party candidates and issues, the Main Street Virginia political action committee has overwhelming supported Republican Party candidates and issues over the last three years, according to VPAP.

Main Street Virginia PAC - Contributions (2020-2023)

• Democratic - $37,500
• Republican - $319,250
• Other - $18,750
• Total - $375,500

Pat Herrity, the lone Republican on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, is the candidate who received the most money from Main Street Virginia over the last three years.

Main Street Virginia PAC -Top Contributions (2020-2023)

• $55,000 - Patrick Herrity (R) for Fairfax County Board of Supervisors
• $50,000 - Nick Clemente (R) for Delegate (2022)
• $50,000 - Kirk Cox (R) for Governor (2021)

Herrity kicked off his reelection bid in January.

The $3,000 Purves reported in his campaign finance filing was money from his own pocket, according to VPAP. No information was available about how much money Downing has raised for her campaign.