With a contentious primary season behind them, county Democrats have settled on a strategy for the general election.
Without taking local races for granted, the party plans to use its organizational muscle to support Democratic candidates in battleground elections statewide and nationally.
The Aug. 4 primary represented “a trial run for the much larger run ahead,” Arlington County Democratic Committee chair Paul Ruiz said at the organization’s monthly meeting on Aug. 5.
“We have a lot of work to do this fall,” Ruiz said, promising “a really robust effort.”
Democrats have enjoyed a near-monopoly in Arlington governance for four decades. In recent years, the party has used its organizational muscle to provide support to more competitive races outside the county.
This fall, local Democrats will be traveling to several battleground congressional districts in Virginia, as well as to the swing state of Ohio. In addition, the local party has already ramped up phone banks in support of James Talarico, the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in Texas.
“People are really eager and excited to call,” Ruiz said.
For those disinclined to connect with Lone Star State voters, there were other opportunities to have an impact, party leaders said.
“Maybe phone calls are not your thing. We’ve got a lot of ways to plug you in,” Ruiz said.
At the Aug. 5 meeting, Democrats unveiled the leaders of the Joint Campaign Committee, which coordinates efforts between the party and local candidates.
Tony Weaver, Liz Urschel, Mohsin Syed and School Board member Zuraya Tapia-Hadley are leading the effort in 2026.
“It’s time for us to elect some more Democrats again,” Urschel said.
“I hope you are ready to ride the big blue wave,” Weaver added as part of a beach-themed skit performed by the four co-chairs.
At the congressional level, U.S. Sen. Mark Warner (D) and Rep. Don Beyer (D-8) are odds-on favorites for reelection. But a local staffer for Warner warned against the party getting caught napping.
“We can be confident but not complacent,” said T.J. Godbout, who is working for the Warner campaign staff after spending last year helping the successful gubernatorial campaign of Abigail Spanberger.
Tapia-Hadley said Democrats had a strong message going into the general election, but needed to share it with the broader community.
“Elections are won in small, stubborn acts of persistence,” she said, asking the rank and file to “tell your story about why this election matters.”
At the Aug. 5 meeting, County Board Chair Matt de Ferranti gave brief remarks after having won a three-way Democratic primary the night before.
“I’m deeply humbled and honored,” said de Ferranti, seeking this third four-year term. He will face independents Audrey Clement and David Sisson in November.
De Ferranti won 55% of the primary vote against challengers Julie Farnam and James DeVita. He said he would continue to press his agenda during the three-month sprint to Election Day.
“We win elections so we can make policy that helps people,” de Ferranti said.
He also urged Arlington Democrats to cast their ballots early — voting begins in September — and then spend as much time as possible working to support congressional candidates in downstate swing districts.
Democrats honor party, community leaders: At their Aug. 5 meeting, county Democrats honored the legacy of former state Sen. Janet Howell and civic leader Dr. Alfred Taylor, Jr., each of whom had died the preceding week.
Democrats also honored the life of Pam Henriksen, who had served the local committee for 60 years in various administrative capacities.
According to 2014 Sun Gazette coverage, Henriksen began maintaining the organization’s mailing list when it was stored in a metal Addressograph machine. Henriksen later took over financial record-keeping as the party entered the computer age, while also serving as a precinct captain and headquarters vice-chair.
