Candidate Profile: Chuck Anderson Runs For New Term On Vienna Town Council

VIENNA, VA — Charles "Chuck" Anderson, an incumbent member of Vienna Town Council, is running for a new term in the Nov. 7, 2023 general election.

All six Vienna Town Council seats and mayor are up for election in 2023 due to a new Virginia election law. Previously, Town Council had staggered two-year terms with elections in May.
Anderson is running for Town Council along with incumbents Howard Springsteen and Ray Brill and newcomers Jessica Ramakis, Roy Baldwin, Sandra Allen and Shelley Mountjoy. Elizabeth Korondy is no longer running for Town Council, and Beth Eachus has a write-in campaign, according to the Gazette Leader.

Mayor Linda Colbert is also running for re-election and does not have a challenger.

Town of Vienna voters will have the Town Council and mayoral elections on the ballot, as well as Fairfax County races, Virginia House 12 and Virginia Senate 37. The Fairfax County races in the Town of Vienna include Hunter Mill District Board of Supervisors member and Fairfax County School Board member, as well as countywide races for Board of Supervisors chairman, three at-large School Board representatives, Fairfax County Commonwealth's Attorney, Fairfax County Sheriff, and Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District.

Early voting for the general election began Friday, Sept. 22. More information on how to vote is available from the Fairfax County Office of Elections.

Patch asked candidates for Vienna Town Council to fill out a candidate questionnaire with the same questions. Here are Anderson's responses:

Name

Charles ("Chuck") Anderson

Office Sought

Member, Vienna Town Council

Campaign Website

chuckforvienna.com

Age (as of Nov. 7 election)

66

Education

BA, Williams College (history and political science); MA Oxford University (philosophy, politics and economics)

Occupation

Principal and Co-founder, Capital Trade, Inc.

Family

I am married, with two adult children, three cats and one part-time dog!

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Previous public office positions or appointments

Vienna Planning Commission (chair for two years); Windover Heights Board of Review

Why are you seeking this office?

Because in three years on Council, I have consistently represented the wishes of the people and have achieved consensus in Council on major issues. I have supported modest height limits on Maple Avenue. I have championed preservation of existing trees over clear-cutting. I have worked to expand our park system without bankrupting our town. I have championed new budget processes. And I have supported using our revenues to repair roads and critical infrastructure. I have also been active in Vienna’s Liberty Amendments Month celebrations – our gift to the nation. And I have done this and more on my own time, while accepting no financial contributions for my campaign. If you want to find out more, visit ChuckforVienna.com

What are the major differences between you and the other candidate(s) seeking this post?

I have substantial experience in Vienna government. I champion more housing choices, trees, and work to achieve consensus on complex issues.

What do you see as the top issues facing (your town), and how do you address them in your campaign platform?

Carefully enacting our new zoning ordinance; continuing to seek opportunities for housing at different price points.

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

I have been part of an unusually long council that has put together an impressive string of accomplishments, including managing the Covid crisis and emerging financially strong as ever, keeping taxes modest, building a new police station and community meeting center on time and on budget, enacting a new zoning ordinance for the entire town, establishing new budget priorities, building 2 miles of new sidewalks, and engaging in a massive program to upgrade our critical infrastructure.

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

Follow me on Facebook at Chuck for Vienna