County Board Chair Takis Karantonis has picked up the support of three of his four colleagues as he seeks to beat back a primary challenge.
The Karantonis campaign last week announced it had received endorsements from County Board members Matt de Ferranti, Maureen Coffey and JD Spain, Sr. Also announced as supporters were School Board members Mary Kadera and Zuraya Tapia-Hadley, and several environmental and labor organizations.
“I’m honored and humbled,” Karantonis said in a statement released. “This coalition reflects the values our community shares — support for working families, smart environmental leadership and a commitment to accessible local government.”
Not on the list of endorsees was Karantonis’ fourth Board colleague, Susan Cunningham.
Cunningham told ARLnow she was not planning any endorsements this primary season.
“While I am always happy to chat with voters about their choices — and do field a lot of calls to that end! — I deeply respect Arlington voters’ ability to make their own choices,” she said. “And, I truly appreciate candidates’ willingness to stand for election and share their vision with our community.”
Karantonis was elected to the Board in a 2020 special election necessitated by the death of Erik Gutshall. He won a full four-year term in 2021 and was chosen by his colleagues to lead the body in 2025.
His challenger in the Democratic primary, attorney James DeVita, ran in Democratic nominating contests for Virginia Senate in 2023 and County Board in 2024.
Early voting in the Democratic primary kicked off May 2.
In other Arlington political news…
No candidates for Greens: The Arlington Green Party will not have candidates in the 2025 races for County Board, School Board and House of Delegates, party leader John Reeder tells ARLnow.
Greens have supported individual candidates on an occasional basis in Arlington, but never have held a full slate of contenders running under the party’s banner.
Republican chair mulls livestreaming: Arlington County Republican Committee chair Matthew Hurtt said the local GOP might begin livestreaming future meetings.
“I’ve thought about it. And it’s a possibility,” Hurtt told ARLnow.
The Arlington County Democratic Committee livestreams its monthly meetings. But political parties, like other local organizations, face a challenge: Does the availability of an online option lower in-person turnout? And if so, is the tradeoff worth it?
Republicans typically meet monthly at the Leadership Institute headquarters in Clarendon. Because the May meeting date falls on Memorial Day, the party is planning a strategy session instead, to be held on an alternate date this month.
Civic Federation to host candidates: The Arlington County Civic Federation will host candidate forums featuring contenders for County Board and the 1st District House of Delegates seat at its meeting next Tuesday, May 13.
Candidates competing in the Democratic primary have been invited to participate, as has Audrey Clement, an independent who has qualified for the County Board general-election ballot.
Audience questions will take up most of the event, Civic Federation president John Ford said.
The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at Virginia Hospital Center, and will be livestreamed.
NAACP opens registration for candidate forum: The Arlington NAACP has opened registration for its candidate forum to be held on Tuesday, May 27 at 7 p.m. online.
Contenders in the June 17 Democratic primary for County Board and 1st District House of Delegates have been invited to participate.
“This structured and moderated event will help inform community members where local candidates stand on issues such as criminal justice, housing, education, economic development and community engagement,” NAACP officials said.
