With the Arlington School Board caucus now underway, several Democratic candidates have released introduction videos.
Local Democrats have until May 11 to vote in this year’s caucus, determining which of the four candidates currently running for School Board will receive the party’s endorsement for two open seats.
Candidates Kathleen Clark, Chen Ling and Zuraya Tapia-Hadley have all released videos introducing themselves and their platforms. Candidate Larry Fishtahler is also seeking a Democratic endorsement but had not put out a video at publication time.
The two Democratic nominees are expected to face off against at least two independent contenders in November: James “Vell” Rives, who also ran in 2022 and 2023, and Arlington teacher Paul Weiss, who announced his intention to run today (Wednesday).
Though School Board races are officially nonpartisan in Virginia, in a press release, Arlington Democrats Chair Steve Baker connected this year’s election to culture wars at the state level.
At a time when Governor Glenn Youngkin and Virginia Republicans are attacking our teachers and schools, we need to elect strong leaders who will champion our public schools. I encourage every Arlington Democratic voter to participate in our School Board Endorsement process now online through May 11 or during our three in-person voting days next week. The candidates we endorse ahead of the November election will stand up to Youngkin’s culture wars and ensure our children have access to a quality public education.
In-person voting in the caucus will take place at the following times and locations.
- Sunday, May 5 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. at Washington-Liberty High School (1301 N. Stafford Street)
- Wednesday, May 8 from 7 p.m.-9 p.m. in the Carver Community Center at Hoffman-Boston Elementary School (1415 S. Queen Street)
- Saturday, May 11 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. at Dr. Charles R. Drew Elementary School (3500 23rd Street S.)
Arlington Democrats say any voting in the endorsement caucus is limited to Democratic voters.
“Any registered Arlington voter will be allowed to participate in the committee’s endorsement vote after pledging they are a Democrat and do not intend to support any candidate opposed to a Democratic nominee or endorsee in the General Election,” the local party said. “We will verify your eligibility by cross-checking against your Arlington voter registration information.”
