Arlington’s third and final Democratic contender for County Board launched her campaign May 6 with criticism of county political leadership.
“I’m a serious person, and this is a serious job. I’m not just challenging an incumbent — I’m challenging a system,” Julie Farnam said during kickoff remarks Wednesday night (May 6) in front of the Arlington County Democratic Committee.
Farnam’s criticisms were levied primarily against the five incumbents — all Democrats — currently leading the local government.
“We are in desperate need of a change on the County Board,” she said, criticizing the incumbents for failing to grasp issues of affordability and outsourcing authority to the county manager and staff.
“We don’t plan for the long term; now we’re in crisis mode,” Farnam said during a 5-minute speech in front of about 70 local Democrats. “Raising taxes can’t always be the first solution.”
Farnam, a civic activist and small-business owner who unsuccessfully sought the party’s nomination in 2024, will square off against James DeVita and incumbent Matt de Ferranti in the Aug. 4 primary.
A county resident since 2009, Farnam was the last candidate to enter the nominating contest before the filing period closed. She jumped in at least partially due to County Board recent budget decision-making.
“It takes someone to step up,” she said. “Someone who has the backbone to stand up for the people of Arlington.”
The three Democratic candidates are expected to participate in the Arlington County Civic Federation’s spring candidate forum, to be held next Tuesday, May 12 at 7 p.m. at the Hazel Auditorium at VHC Health (Virginia Hospital Center). The Democratic Committee will hold a forum for the trio at its next monthly meeting, slated for June 3.
“A lot is building up to that Aug. 4 primary date,” party chair Paul Ruiz said. “The party has a responsibility to educate voters.”
In 2024’s Democratic primary, Farnam finished fifth of five candidates and was the first to be eliminated through the ranked-choice process.
Of the 1,267 who cast ballots for her in the primary, a total of 1,189 ranked at least a second choice on the ballot. Of them, 482 voters transferred allegiance to Natalie Roy, 275 to Tenley Petersen, 205 to DeVita and 227 to Julius “JD” Spain, Sr., the primary’s ultimate winner.
The 2026 primary also will be conducted under ranked-choice rules. Given his nearly eight years in office, de Ferranti is the de-facto favorite in the race. Whether DeVita and Farnam can hold him to under 50% on the first ballot, triggering the ranked-choice machinery, remains to be seen.
The Democrat who emerges from the primary will be the odds-on favorite in the general election, but there will be others on the Nov. 3 ballot.
Republicans have until late June to nominate or endorse a candidate, and may consider backing an independent if they can’t find a nominee of their own. Independents have until mid-June to file for the fall ballot.
The County Board general election will be held using the ranked-choice process, but given Arlington’s political leanings it probably will not be needed, no many how many candidates are on the ballot.
In the two County Board races run using the method, Democratic nominees won a majority of votes cast on the first ballot — Spain garnered 58% in 2024 and Takis Karantonis 65% last year.
