Candidate Profile: Jessica Ramakis Runs For Vienna Town Council

VIENNA, VA — Jessica Ramakis, an education policy professional for the federal government and Vienna planning commissioner, is running for Vienna Town Council 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.
Ramakis is running for Town Council along with incumbents Charles "Chuck" Anderson, Ray Brill and Howard Springsteen and newcomers Roy Baldwin, Sandra Allen and Shelley Mountjoy.

Mayor Linda Colbert is also running for re-election and does not have a challenger. Elizabeth Korondy is no longer running for Town Council, and Beth Eachus has a write-in campaign, according to the Gazette Leader.

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 Ramakis's responses:

Name

Jessica H. Ramakis

Office Sought

Vienna Town Council, Vienna, VA

Campaign Website

www.ramakis.com

Age (as of Nov. 7 election)

44

Education

Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of California, Los Angeles and Master of Pubic Policy from the University of California, Los Angeles

Occupation

Civil servant in education policy.

Family

My husband and I have lived in Vienna since 2010. We have a son and a daughter who attend elementary school in Vienna, and we spend a lot of time together – including watching them play football, soccer, softball, baseball, and basketball.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

I am a civil servant with the Federal government.

Previous public office positions or appointments

I currently serve on the Planning Commission for the Town of Vienna.

Why are you seeking this office?

Vienna is a vibrant place that I am fortunate to call home. I’m enthusiastic about doing more to be sure the community knows what is being considered and can share ideas. Through stronger communication, we can shape the future of our Town together.

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

I have a collaborative and learning-focused approach to public service. I enjoy hearing different perspectives and making connections between them to foster creativity and partnership.

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

Working as a community to form a shared vision for the future is a top issue. The combination of parks and trees, small businesses, community service activities and history make Vienna a special place to live. My priorities include focusing on engagement, serving as a partner for small businesses, valuing and supporting community organizations, and preserving trees and parks.

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

During my time on the Planning Commission, I have made sound recommendations on numerous issues relating to individual projects as well as broad strategic efforts including Code Create, the effort to update the Town Zoning Ordinance, and the review of the Town's Comprehensive Plan. In addition, I have 20 years of public service experience as a Federal civil servant focused on education policy and have made contributions across administrations through collaboration and a focus on results.