Lorton Voters Choose Puller, Barker

The biggest news of Election Day 2011: Local Democrats and incumbents were re-elected including a hard-won race by Democratic state Sen. , who fought off a challenge from former Del. in the closest race among Route 1 area political representatives Tuesday.

36th Senate District

In one of the most-watched races in southern Fairfax County, Republican Jeff Frederick challenged Democrat incumbent Linda "Toddy" Puller in the 36th District, which covers parts of Fairfax and Prince William counties.

Ultimately, Puller pulled out a win with about 55 percent of the votes. In Fairfax County, Puller's support was stronger—about two-thirds of voters chose her over Frederick. But Frederick's supporters turned out in Prince William County, where Frederick and Puller were just about even, and in Stafford County, where Frederick won.

Whereas Puller pushed for funding for a major Rte. 1 corridor study, Frederick “thinks it is time to stop studying and get on with it,” according to his campaign website.

Puller served in the House of Delegates from 1991 to 1999 and in the State Senate from 2000 to now. Frederick served in the House of Delegates for three terms from 2003 to 2009, when he became chair of the Republican Party of Virginia.

"I'm glad it ended on a really happy note and I thank all of you for making it possible," Puller told supporters Tuesday night gathered in Lorton at the Polo Grill restaurant.  

39th Senate District

In one of the evening's tighter races, Republican Miller Baker challenged incumbent Democrat George Barker for the 39th district seat. Barker pulled a win with 52.98 percent of the votes. Barker has been a senator since 2008 and is an appellate lawyer specializing in Constitutional issues.

Aside from a potential name-based confusion among constituents that pushed Barker to put out campaign signs emphasizing the ‘r’ in his last name, Baker and Barker were very different on the campaign’s central issues, such as how to spur job growth.

Baker's wife, Margaret Baker, told Patch earlier in the evening: "This is a very tight, close race. It's a 50-50 district, and we're feeling really good about the race that we've run."

At the end of the evening, Barker told Patch, "I'm thrilled that the people of the 39th District re-elected me."

42nd House District

Incumbent Republican Dave Albo won despite a tough challenge from Democrat Jack Dobbyn in the 42nd district. Albo has served in the House of Delegates since 1994. Earlier this year, Albo told Patch, “On fiscal matters, I'm about as far-right as you get, because I am a firm believer that government doesn't create jobs. People create jobs and businesses create jobs and everybody is better off if you can let the people and businesses create jobs.” Dobbyn is the chair of the Fairfax County Young Democrats and focused his campaign on improving transportation in southeastern Fairfax County.

Dobbyn said Tuesday night, "It's been wonderful. I've learned so much about the issues that are important to people. ... It's quality of life that people are here for, they're concerned about what's being done in Richmond. I'm thankful for all the help I've received. If I had to sum it up in one word, it would be thankful."

43rd House District

Incumbent Democrat Mark Sickles ran unopposed for the 43rd district seat. Sickles was elected to the House of Delegates in 2003, when he defeated Republican incumbent Thomas Bolvin. In 2011, Sickles introduced legislation focusing on the rights of homeowners and on healthcare. He also introduced legislation that would have created a tax credit for residents who purchase plug-in electric vehicles.

Fairfax County School Board

Dan Storck, the incumbent school board member who represents the Mount Vernon District, defeated a strong challenge from Michele Nellenbach. Nellenbach, a Stratford Landing PTA president, was an early and active advocate for full-day kindergarten at all Fairfax County schools. Nellenbach is especially focused on ensuring the school board is listening more to parents, which she said didn’t happen enough with issues surrounding disciplinary procedures. 

Nellenbach’s campaign promised “increasing accountability to parents and students, restoring honors classes to our schools, reducing class sizes, focusing FCPS on the needs of Mt. Vernon District schools and eliminating wasteful spending,” according to her candidacy website.

Storck has served on the Fairfax County Public Schools board since 2004. His goals included bringing back a full-day Monday at all schools. The next few years may bring some boundary realignment around South County Secondary School, as well as for West Potomac, Hayfield and Mount Vernon. He was a key player in getting the middle school at South County built. "I think the grades for Mount Vernon voters are in. I'm pleased with the marks they've given me. I look forward to being at the top of the class," he said.

Tamara J. Derenak Kaufax ran unopposed for the Lee District seat. Kaufax has served on the county Child Care Advisory Council since 2001 and the Lee District Budget Advisory Council for the past two years. This is her first term in office with the Fairfax County Public Schools board.

In the Springfield District, Elizabeth L. Schultz won, defeating John F. Wittman. Schultz received 58.8 percent of the votes. She was an outspoken advocate for the now-closed Clifton School, and she has children in pre-school, elementary, middle and high school.

Wittman served as chair of Fairfax County Public School’s business and community action committee for two and a half years.  He has also spent the last five years on the career and technical advisory committee.

"I am really tired, but also very emotional for all the races I've worked on throughout the campaign. ... I've been trying to change the culture from the beginning of the campaign all the way through. The environment is right. Taxpayers want change," Schultz said Tuesday night.

Board of Supervisors Races

In the Board of Supervisors chairperson’s race, incumbent Democrat Sharon Bulova retained her seat, defeating Republican Michael “Spike” Williams, Independent candidate Will Radle and Independent candidate Christopher DeCarlo.

In reference to both her own race and that of other Board of Supervisors candidates, Bulova said Tuesday night: “I’m very pleased with the results.”
Bulova received 59.40 percent of the votes; Williams received 35.59 percent; DeCarlo received 3.40 and Radle received 1.53 percent.

Michael "Spike" Williams thanked his wife and supporters as he acknowledged his loss to Sharon Bulova at the Fairfax GOP party in Falls Church.

Last time DeCarlo ran he only received 1 percent of the vote, and he told Patch he attributes his new success to his rap campaign video. "I'll run every year," DeCarlo said, hinting that he might run for Congress in 2012.

Mount Vernon District Supervisor Gerry Hyland, a Democrat, defeated a challenge from Independent Gail Parker. Hyland has served on the Board of Supervisors since 1988 and has lived in the Mount Vernon District since the 1960s. A retired U.S. Air Force colonel, Hyland currently serves as the co-chair of the Community Revitalization and Reinvestment Committee, and he is the Chairman of the Public Safety Commission.  Hyland also appointed the Mount Vernon Visioning Task Force, which is looking at issues such as development, transportation and infrastructure along the Rte. 1 corridor.

Gail Parker pushed the common Independent Green platform, “More Trains, Less Traffic.” She has run in several elections (always as an Independent Green candidate), including House of Delegates in 2009, U.S. Senator in 2008, and Fairfax County Supervisor Chairperson in 2007.

Sheriff's Race

Current Fairfax County Sheriff Stan Barry, a Democrat, prevailed in a race against Republican Bill A. Cooper III. In the Fairfax County sheriff’s race, Republican William Cooper challenged current Sheriff Stan Barry in a race that was fairly close throughout the evening. Barry won with 54.4, crediting his experience for the win.

"Honestly, I think I had a long record that people could look at," Barry said. Cooper is a former deputy sheriff lieutenant.  Barry has been Fairfax County Sheriff for 12 years, though there was a bit of controversy over Barry's participation in the DROP program. Barry said the DROP attacks hurt his opponent, because people in Fairfax want a positive campaign. "All of that stuff was just very negative."

Commonwealth's Attorney

Current Commonwealth’s Attorney Raymond Morrogh, a Democrat, ran unopposed. Morrogh has been CA since 2007.

Soil and Water Conservation

Five candidates ran for three open positions for Fairfax County Soil and Water Conservation director in the Northern Virginia District. The agency's goal, according to its web site, "is to promote clean streams and protected natural resources."  It is not a regulatory agency, but provides technical expertise in soils, conservation engineering, water quality and erosion control.

Winners were Johna Good Gagnon, George W. Lamb and John W. Peterson.