Democrats’ night in Manassas: New faces on City Council, School Board

MANASSAS, Va. — Voters shook up the Manassas City Council on Tuesday when they elected a two new Democrats to the board, and sent home a long-serving Republican.

Mark Wolfe, a Republican turned Democrat in 2016, won his reelection bid with nearly 20% of the vote, more than any of the field of six candidates vying to fill three council seats that were up for grabs. Wolfe was elected to the City Council eight years ago as a Republican.

Statement from Wolfe added to this post at 10:43 a.m.: 

“I am tremendously honored by the support that the voters have given me. 

 

The results send a clear message that the citizens of Manassas want to build a Better Manassas. 

It also sends the message that they want leaders who practice positive politics and who get things done.

 

Pam and I are committed to meeting those expectations and we look forward to working with the rest of the City Council

to move Manassas forward.” 

Wolfe ran on a combined ticket with Pamela Sebesky, who serves on the city’s School Board,  and political newcomer Rex Parr, and one-time director of Manassas-based Didlake Inc., a major regional employer of people with disabilities.

Sebesky won her bid for a seat on the Council with nearly 18% of the vote, and sent us this statement:

“I am humbled and grateful for the opportunity that has been given to me by the voters of the city of Manassas. I will work hard to serve and represent all in our city.”

Sebesky will replace Jonathan Way, who has served on the City Council for the past 10 years and as Vice Mayor for the past two years. Like the Democrats, Way ran on a unified ticket with fellow Republicans Theresa Coates Ellis, and incumbent Ian Lovejoy.

Lovejoy will head back to Council after winning 16% of the vote.

Statement from Lovejoy added 2:52 p.m. :

“I’m humbled by the showing of support and to be re-elected to the Manassas City Council. It’s been an honor serving all citizens of our city for the past four years and I’m eager to do so for the next four. In an election that saw the city tilt toward the Democratic Presidential nominee by 58%, for a Republican to overcome that and win a clear victory shows our residents are still heavily invested in practical, effective and affordable government. I do not plan to let them down.”

Longtime Mayor Hal Parrish will keep his seat after running unopposed. He won the seat on Tuesday with nearly 96% of the vote.

Manassas residents also elected Democrat Patricia Richie-Folks as the city’s new treasurer, beating out Republican

Russell Harrison. This marks Richie-Folks’ first term in public office, made possible by the retirement of Robin Perkins, who spent 17 years on the job.

The blue wave that enveloped the city wasn’t just contained to local offices. Voters overwhelming went for Hillary Clinton in the Presidental Election, giving her nearly 55% of the vote over Donald Trump.

While Trump won the Presidency, Virginia was a win for the Democrats on Tuesday.

The city also went for Democrat LuAnn Bennett, who mounted an unsuccessful campaign to unseat freshman Congresswoman Barbara Comstock, who serves Virginia’s 10th District. Comstock won a second term for Congress with a five-point win.

On the Manassas City School Board, one newcomer joins the Board while three incumbents will head back to work.

Incumbents Kirsten Kiefer, Scott Albrecht, and Suzanne Seaberg were all elected to four-year terms on the Board. Newcomer Robyn R. Williams was elected with 17% of the vote.

Albrecht sent us this statement:

“I am genuinely humbled and honored and look forward to the opportunity to serve the citizens of Manassas for another four years. My sincere congratulations to all of the successful candidates and a thank you to all of the candidates who kept the election for School Board positive and focused on the success for all children.”

School Board candidates run without political party affiliation.