Last week, we invited the candidates running in the June 18 Democratic primary to write a post about why Arlington residents should vote for them. Find information on how and where to vote here.
Below is the unedited response from JD Spain, candidate for Arlington County Board.
Fellow Arlingtonians – our community holds a special place in my heart. My wife and I chose to raise our three children in Arlington because of the exceptional schools and diverse population. For 15 years, I have dedicated myself to contributing to the success of our community, building on a lifetime of public service. I humbly request your #1 vote for Arlington County Board. If elected, I will draw upon the valuable insights gained from our residents and prioritize:
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Improving our neighborhoods and infrastructure to advance sustainability and enhance the safety of our community
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Growing our local economy and helping small business
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Protecting our tree canopy, public parks, and open spaces
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Investing in our students, teachers, and public schools
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Advocating for communities, attainable housing across all stages of life, and improved mental health services
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Supporting progressive Democrats and vehemently opposing extremists who would ban abortion and contraception
With your support and input, I will use my leadership experience and relationships to help make these priorities a reality. Having formerly served as an appointed Commissioner, an appointed community representative on two County working groups, leading the NAACP both locally and statewide, advising on equity efforts, and volunteering for numerous community organizations, I’ve learned a great deal about the challenges and opportunities for our wonderful county.
One thing that makes our community so special is our diversity, which my multicultural family represents. Paired with a wide range of impactful leadership and community engagement experience, I would be proud to bring this unique perspective to the County Board. I believe my representation will strengthen the Board, enhancing its capability to effectively and equitably represent and serve our entire community.
My Inspiration for Serving As a Community Leader and Advocate
I am proud to share the experiences that have shaped the leader I am today. My mother’s work as a missionary and my father’s dedication as a master electrician, helping neighbors in need, instilled in my brother and me a deep sense of service and duty. This led us to enlist in the military. I served in the Marine Corps for nearly three decades, fulfilled a diplomatic assignment in Belgium, completed a fellowship in the US Senate, rose to the highest enlisted rank, and was awarded the Legion of Merit for meritorious and exceptional service to our nation. I bring this same standard of dedication, excellence, and integrity to my family, career, nonprofit work, and, if elected, to serving the community of Arlington.
How I Lead And Advocate For Our Community
I know when we work together we can solve our community’s most complex challenges. I am committed to transparency, empathy, asking the right questions, and bringing innovative solutions. Whether it is about strengthening public education and reducing commercial vacancy rates, keeping our community safe, or improving transportation and our public parks, I will work collaboratively and listen first. I believe that seeking understanding, unifying, and then taking decisive action yields the most effective outcomes for the greater good of our community. I will listen and deliver, and I am fully prepared to lead on day one.
We are One Arlington
Inspired by inclusive leadership, track record of results, and visionary policy ideas, I am proud to be the candidate to have earned the most #1 endorsements from dozens of trusted community leaders and progressive organizations (visit my website for more details: https://jdforarlington.com/
