Garvey Wins Special Election to Arlington County Board

Democrats maintain dominance of local government.

Democrat Libby Garvey won Tuesday’s special election to fill a vacant seat on the Arlington County Board by a little more than 800 votes, according to unofficial results. Garvey, 60, campaigned on the experience she gained from 15 years of service on the local school board, on setting priorities and on managing the growth and change that comes to Arlington. Her win once again cements the one-party dominance of local government. “I think my message resonated,” Garvey said at a victory party Tuesday night in the Douglas Park community. “I have a really good record. I think people like what they see.” Thanking the 60-or-so supporters at Arlington County Revenue Commissioner Ingrid Morroy’s home, Garvey said the race had been “tough” and that…

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Election Guide: Vote Tuesday to Fill Arlington Board Seat

Democrat Libby Garvey, Republican Mark Kelly and Green Party candidate Audrey Clement seek spot on Arlington County Board.

Voters will go to the polls Tuesday to fill a vacant seat on the Arlington County Board. Click the candidate's name to see his or her profile: The winner will take office in time to have a say in this year's county budget debate. The new board member, too, will have to hit the campaign trail again soon to hold on to the seat, as the unexpired term up for grabs lasts through the end of the year. The spot on the board opened up when Barbara Favola ascended to the state Senate in November. Between Jan. 1 and March 16, Garvey raised nearly $47,000, followed closely by Kelly, who raised about $45,000, according to the Virginia Public Access Project. Clement raised about $4,000 in that time. Kelly and Clement have spent most of what they raised…

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Patch Profile: Arlington Board Candidate Mark Kelly

Republican pledges to propose alternate county budget that doesn't include a tax hike.

Being a Republican in Arlington is not as bad as you might think, Mark Kelly will tell you. The 40-year-old legislative director for U.S. Rep. Tim Huelskamp, R-Kan., is quick to point out that Republican presidential contender John McCain won nearly 30,000 votes in Arlington in 2008. And partisan divides tend to soften after talking to people one-on-one, Kelly said. “A lot of people think ‘Republican’ and think, ‘Well, he's against any government, any spending.’ They have a misconception. We think that government closest to the people is the best government. Spending money and having that done where you get to sit down with your neighbors and talk about the priorities for the community is where we would support spending tax dollars.” Kelly…

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Arlington Board Candidates Disagree on Major Projects, School Funding

Three candidates seeking a vacant seat on the county board participated in an Arlington County Civic Federation forum Tuesday night.

Major Arlington County projects like the Artisphere and proposed Columbia Pike trolley and the amount of money the local government gives to the school system provided ample fodder for a candidate forum Tuesday night. Democrat Libby Garvey – a school board member who, if elected, would again cement the one-party dominance over local government – found herself between Republican Mark Kelly and Green Party candidate Audrey Clement, both of whom want to cut or eliminate tax dollars going to things like the Artisphere and a new Black Box Theater. Kelly and Clement also both oppose a planned $250 million streetcar project along Columbia Pike. Kelly called it a “boondoggle” that will “wreak havoc” on existing businesses, and Clement believes …

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Arlington County Board Candidates Answer Affordable Housing Questions

Democrat Libby Garvey, Republican Mark Kelly and Green Party candidate Audrey Clement face off March 27 for the Arlington County Board.

Preparation for Arlington Board Special Election Well Under Way

Three Democrats already have announced for post.

Even though the occasional campaign sign still dots Arlington’s streetscape, preparation for the special election to replace state Sen.-elect Barbara Favola on the Arlington County Board already are under way – and in full force. The only problem is no one’s 100 percent sure when that election will take place. Three candidates – all Democrats – have publicly announced their candidacy for the board and filed preliminary paperwork with the Arlington County Office of Voter Registration: At least two more Democrats have indicated they will run, said Arlington County Democratic Committee Chairman Mike Lieberman. Arlington GOP Chairman Mark Kelly said he’s working hard to make sure his party fields at least one candidate. The process Once Favola…

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