For those planning on running for county treasurer, the county’s elections staff is ready to assist in completing the special-election paperwork.
“If anyone is interested in running, come see us,” said Gretchen Reinemeyer, the county’s election director, at the July 7 Electoral Board meeting.
Her comments stemmed from Treasurer Carla de la Pava’s July 1 announcement that she would be retiring this week. De la Pava has served as treasurer since 2014, when she succeeded 30-year incumbent Frank O’Leary.
Details of the upcoming special election remain a work in progress, Electoral Board members heard at the meeting.
The County Board must petition Arlington Circuit Court Chief Judge Judith Wheat, who will order a writ of election setting the date.
It is anticipated that the special election will be held concurrently with the Nov. 3 general election, but that is not guaranteed. Reinemeyer told Electoral Board members she has always “made it a point” not to assume how a judge might act in setting the election.
“It’s up to the judge to decide,” Reinemeyer said.
The Code of Virginia prohibits any election within 55 days of a general election, and requires that a special election for a constitutional officer “shall be held promptly.” That likely would leave two possibilities: early September or Nov. 3.
Once Wheat sets the date, the Virginia Department of Elections will set filing deadlines. The rules are slightly different for those seeking endorsement from a political party and those running as independents, another reason county election personnel are suggesting prospective candidates reach out to them for clarification.
De la Pava’s longtime chief deputy, Kim Rucker, has unofficially announced plans to seek the office and likely will seek support of the Arlington County Democratic Committee. She attended the July 1 Democratic meeting where de la Pava announced her retirement, but did not make remarks.
There are no state-run primaries for Virginia special elections, but political parties can set up nominating contests. The first chance Democrats would have to approve a process to select a nominee would be early August.
Treasurer is one of the five “constitutional offices” serving Arlington, along with sheriff, commonwealth’s attorney, commissioner of revenue and clerk of the Circuit Court.
The positions get their name because they’re enshrined in the Virginia constitution, although not every jurisdiction has all five. Fairfax County, for instance, goes without a treasurer and commissioner of revenue.
The winner of the 2026 special election will serve as treasurer for about a year, then would have the option to run for a full term in November 2027.
