A third independent has qualified for the November ballot in the race for Arlington County Board.
Carlos “DC” De Castro Pretelt, a 22-year military veteran, qualified for the ballot on Monday.
He joins independents Audrey Clement and Jeramy Olmack in attempting to unseat current Board Chair Takis Karantonis, who defeated James DeVita in the Democratic primary last night.
Karantonis won a special election in 2020 and then a four-year term in 2021.
De Castro said he is a true independent who believes in “politics rooted in partnership and accountability.”
“I know this task will not be easy, but that doesn’t excuse me from the responsibility to try,” De Castro said on his campaign website. “The future rests on voters who are willing to rise and place people first.”
De Castro’s website lists three main priorities: Supporting local change-of-government efforts, increasing housing availability through construction of apartments and condominiums, and reducing political campaign signage in public right-of-way.
“I believe in a new kind of politics, one that seeks to understand our differences rather than exploit them,” he said. “A politics rooted in partnership and accountability.”
De Castro initially enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, then was commissioned as an Army officer.
Election officials said they are still confirming the paperwork from one final independent, and Republican Bob Cambridge is also running against Karantonis.
With more than two candidates running for County Board, the Nov. 4 ballot will use the ranked-choice-voting method.
The two-month fall election season traditionally kicks off with a candidate forum sponsored by the Arlington County Civic Federation in early September.
