Bailey to run in primary against Councilman Wood for Potomac Supervisor in June

Andrea Bailey, a military wife and corporate business development professional, plans to run for the Board of Supervisors in the Potomac District. Maureen Caddigan (R-Potomac) currently holds the seat.

But before she can run against Caddigan, Bailey must first win the primary against Dumfries Councilman Derrick Wood. The Democratic primary will take place on June 13.

Bailey is not concerned about running against Wood.

“I’ve had the opportunity of work with all types of diverse populations and schools of thought, and I think that my experience in corporate America, my experience in the church, and my experience in community organizations speaks a lot of my relationship within the community to get the job done,” said Bailey.

Bailey, who has been living in and out of the Potomac community since 1976, is a graduate of National-Louis University. She has been working in sales and business development for companies like Xerox and USA Today.

There are three major issues that Bailey plans to campaign on for the Board seat — education, economic development and transportation.

For Bailey, she feels that the 57 percent revenue sharing amount that the Prince William County Public School System receives is not enough. She thinks that if the Board of Supervisors and the School Board were to meet, that they could look at options for expanding funding.

“I believe that the relationship between the county board of supervisors and the school board needs to be enhanced. And I think if that relationship is enhanced and nurtured a little bit more, then the concerns that the educational system has – the overcrowding in schools and providing even more [of a] world-class educational program for students – I think that [would help],” said Bailey.

According to Bailey, there has not been enough commercial business welcomed into the Potomac District.

“I think there’s a grand opportunity in the Eastern corridor, where I reside – the Potomac District – to bring in much more substantial commercial businesses. To create jobs in that environment,” commented Bailey.

In terms of transportation, Bailey stated she is in support of expanding light rail into Prince William County, as well as expanding the Tri-County Parkway.

“I think the transportation issue [in the district] has been a lifelong issue. And we really need to look at that and make sure that people have easy access in and out of the community they live in. A majority of time, people are on the roads, trying to get out the community to go to work, and to get back in once they’ve worked all day,” Bailey said.

While she spoke highly of Caddigan’s work as Potomac supervisor, Bailey feels that it is time for a change.

“I think Maureen [Caddigan] has done a very good job, since she’s been in office. But I think that the way that our world is progressing…I think that we need a change. I think that I could be the one to work with the board to initiate that change,” said Bailey continuing, “When you look at the progression and the population growth in this area, we are behind. And we need to step it up a notch.”

If Bailey wins the primary election against Wood, she will be the Democratic candidate against Caddigan this November.