School Board Chair Bethany Zecher Sutton launched her reelection bid last week with a pledge to fight for students — and against the Trump administration.
“We’re all feeling the impact of this administration’s attacks on our values. We will not back down,” Zecher Sutton said during Wednesday remarks to about 200 people at the monthly Arlington County Democratic Committee meeting.
“We need a culture that helps everyone feel a sense of belonging,” said Zecher Sutton, who is seeking a second four-year term.
“We need to listen and keep our students at the center of everything we do — refocus on the things that matter most,” she said.
In remarks, Zecher Sutton said she was looking forward to working with the administration of Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) after four years of Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R).
“We now have allies” in Richmond, she said. “We can course-correct.”
To date, Zecher Sutton is the only Democrat to have filed for her party’s endorsement. The filing deadline for those seeking to compete in the Democratic School Board caucus is Feb. 27.
Her announcement was not a surprise, as Zecher Sutton informally telegraphed her plans in early January before holding a campaign-kickoff event later in the month.
If no other intra-party challengers emerge, Zecher Sutton is likely to win the party’s support by acclamation. If any do, voting in the party caucus will take place in May.
In Virginia, school board elections are nominally nonpartisan, but political parties can “endorse” candidacies rather than formally nominating candidates.
No non-Democrat has been elected to the Arlington School Board since the twin victories of Republican-leaning independent David Foster in 1999 and 2003. However, the new chair of the Democratic Committee said the party would be taking no chances.
“People showing up in rooms like this is how we’re going to win,” Paul Ruiz said at the meeting, held at Lubber Run Community Center.
The filing deadline for School Board candidates not competing in the Democratic endorsement process is June 16.
After winning the 2022 Democratic endorsement, Zecher Sutton defeated James “Vell” Rives IV in the ensuing general election. She garnered just over 68% of the vote.
In July, Zecher Sutton’s School Board colleagues elected her as the chair, a leadership post that typically rotates on a year-to-year basis. Her remarks at that meeting also focused on holding firm against Trump administration edicts.
Zecher Sutton currently is the most senior member of a board that has seen significant turnover in recent years. In 2024, one-term incumbent Mary Kadera opted against seeking a new term. She was succeeded by Monique “Moe” Bryant.
While many of her remarks at the Feb. 4 kickoff were aimed at national issues, Zecher Sutton said Arlington Public Schools was making strides on achievement issues, support for teachers and renovation of school facilities.
Zecher Sutton worked for nearly two decades with a national nonprofit educational organization, and now serves as a leadership coach and consultant.
The parent of an APS graduate and current 11th grader, Zecher Sutton previously served as president of the Randolph Elementary School PTA and chair of the Advisory Council on Teaching & Learning.
