An independent candidate with a background in local activism has entered the race for Arlington treasurer.
Aasim Rawoot is a familiar face for those familiar with County Board meetings, where he has often joined other activists in calling for county leaders to take a stronger stance on the conflict in Palestine. He has filed his candidacy against Kim Rucker, the former chief deputy treasurer who became treasurer last month following Carla de la Pava’s retirement.
This is the first time an independent candidate has qualified to run for treasurer since 1991, according to county records.
“I feel that they have been banking on not having anyone else run, so they can kind of continue that dynamic — which again, is pretty undemocratic,” Rawoot told ARLnow.
Both de la Pava and her predecessor, Frank O’Leary, announced their retirement mid-term and passed the seat on to their chief deputy treasurer.
Rawoot also criticized the process by which Arlington Democrats accepted candidates for this position, providing only a three-hour window to submit paperwork on July 24. Rucker was the only candidate to file, and the party canceled its caucus to endorse Rucker in a voice vote on Wednesday.
“We’re seeing a lot of anti-establishment sentiment throughout the country, and I feel like that anti-establishment sentiment will resonate with people when they understand just, like, the gaming of the system,” said Rawoot.
Rawoot acknowledges the treasurer’s office’s strong track record of maintaining a low tax delinquency rate in Arlington. He said he doesn’t want to change anything about how the office collects taxes, but he wants to push the limits of the position to act as a watchdog on county investments.
“Especially since this role is an elected position, I feel like it’s a violation of people’s morals, ethics and values if we choose to then invest in oil and gas companies that contribute to climate change, or predatory banks that take advantage of underrepresented communities, or weapons manufacturers that profit off of human rights violations,” he said.
Rawoot is an environmental consultant and a native of Arlington.
Rucker, who was also born and raised in Arlington, comes to the race with 34 years of experience in the treasurer’s office, the last 12 of which she spent as chief deputy treasurer.
“I don’t intend to rest on past accomplishments,” Rucker told Arlington Democrats in accepting their endorsement. “I will continue to lead with empathy and compassion.”
A special election for treasurer will take place concurrently with the Nov. 3 general election, with the winner serving the final year of de la Pava’s term.
The last time an independent ran for treasurer was in 1991, when Richard E. Sincere earned about 30% of the vote attempting to unseat O’Leary. Sincere, the chairman of the Virginia Libertarian Party, maintained that “taxation is theft” and campaigned on a platform critical of taxes on vehicles and business equipment, according to Washington Post coverage at the time.
O’Leary fended off another challenge in the Democratic primary in 2007, where Robert A. James earned 36% of the vote.
De la Pava never faced anyone but write-in candidates.
The Arlington GOP Chair Matthew Hurtt has expressed interest in presenting a candidate for treasurer, but said that they would need to have the relevant background and skills to serve in the position.
“Any goober can get elected to County Board or School Board, as we have seen — but this [job] is heavy on technical process,” Hurtt said at a meeting on July 27.
The deadline to file for treasurer is Aug. 14.
