All six candidates for Falls Church City Council seats have agreed to abide by a “candidate integrity pledge.”
The six contenders for the three Council seats on the Nov. 4 ballot formally signed their support for the pledge during a candidate meet-and-greet social event held Sept. 5 at the Falls Church Arts Gallery.
Sponsored by the nonpartisan Citizens for a Better City (CBC) organization, the promise developed from concerns that large campaign spending and advocacy from outside interest groups was creeping into what had been locally centered campaigns.
The integrity pledge debuted in 2023 Council elections.
The campaign-season kickoff “gives everybody a chance to talk to the City Council and candidates for City Council and School Board,” CBC president Hal Lippman said at the evening event.
As for pledging to keep the campaign focused on local events and funded with local dollars? It represents “a courageous decision to do this,” Lippman said.
“The purpose of the Pledge, which took into account input from dozens of other local civic organizations and individuals, was to ensure that Falls Church City elections are conducted with civility and remain local, affordable and accessible to all citizens,” Lippman and organization vice president Don Foley told ARLnow.
Of the four Council members whose seats are on the ballot this year, only one — Debora Schantz-Hiscott — is not seeking re-election. Incumbents David Snyder, Marybeth Connelly and Laura Downs are sharing the ballot with challengers Arthur Agin, Brian Pendleton and James Thompson, Jr.
At the event, each candidate had about two minutes for introductory remarks. Some excerpts:
David Snyder noted he had been involved in CBC activities from his early days as a resident of the city, and “I’ve tried to live by those principles ever since.”
“I love this city,” Snyder said, expressing the hope that he had assisted in playing “a small part in making the city great.”
Marybeth Connelly said she desires to continue service on the Council to address ongoing challenges and opportunities from the city’s recent growth spurt.
“There are some projects I want to keep working on,” she said.
Laura Downs, who gained office in a special election last November after service on the School Board, said she found the Council position “fascinating.”
Downs said she endeavors to continue “approaching issues with an open mind.”
“I really listen to feedback from the community … trying to bring us all together to reach a consensus,” she said.
Arthur Agin said his years of service in the U.S. Army taught him the attributes of “clear communication and decisive action.”
If elected, Again said he would “help up navigate our growth and protect the things we love.”
Brian Pendleton said that, if elected, he would focus on walkability issues, affordable housing and modernizing practices at City Hall.
“We’ve got great staff,” he said, adding that he wants to give them the tools to provide “world-class service.”
James Thompson noted that he will soon be retiring from the U.S. Marine Corps, and that his 12 years of residency in Falls Church is the longest his family had lived anywhere during his military tenure.
“We’re invested here for the long haul,” he said.
Four of five candidates for four School Board seats on the Nov. 4 ballot also were on hand and signed the pledge, including incumbents Anne Sherwood and Kathleen Tysse and challengers Sharon Mergler and MaryKate “MK” Hughes.
Incumbent Lori Silverman was out of town and did not attend the event, nor did she sign the pledge in advance of the gathering.
In addition to the contested races, Sheriff Metin “Matt” Cay, Commissioner of Revenue Tom Clinton and Treasurer Jody Acosta are running unopposed for new terms.
Early voting begins Sept. 19 across Virginia. In Falls Church, early voting is conducted at City Hall.
