The 2024 election results for Manassas signal a shift in the city’s political landscape.

While Democratic Mayor Michelle Davis-Younger retained her seat with a notable 56.91% of the vote, Republicans have made meaningful inroads, building on a newfound organizational strength seen across the state as conservatives embraced Virginia’s early voting system in record numbers. In what has become one of the city’s most contentious elections in recent memory, conservatives leveraged social media and new voices, such as the “Until They Kick Us Out” podcast, to rally supporters and draw attention to their causes. The Republican Party’s increased cohesion and visibility hint at a changing dynamic in a city once considered solidly Democratic.

This year’s council race underscores this shift. In 2020, Democratic incumbents Pamela Sebesky and Mark Wolfe received strong backing, with Sebesky leading with 20.7% (8,532 votes) and Wolfe close behind.

This year’s City Council results paint a different picture: not a single candidate reached the high vote totals of 2020. With Democratic candidates Ashley R. Hutson, Tom C. Osina, and Wolfe each earning lower percentages than before, it’s clear that voter support has become more dispersed. Sebesky did not seek re-election. This suggests a competitive landscape where no candidate has a guaranteed stronghold, pointing to an increasingly divided electorate.

In a shift for the Manassas City School Board, Republican-backed candidate Dayna-Marie Miles will now join conservative board member Sara Brescia, who has been a vocal presence since her election in 2022. Miles’ election signals a potential shift in policy focus and priorities on the school board as it navigates pressing challenges of accreditation, truancy, failing test scores, and teacher retention.

This election cycle wasn’t just competitive; it was particularly nasty. In the heat of the campaign, text messages allegedly exchanged between former Manassas Regional Airport Commission Chairman Ross Snare, Mayor Davis-Younger, and a city employee were publicly shared, with disparaging remarks directed at a council member. This so-called “text-gate” led to Snare’s resignation and fueled the polarized political atmosphere, where even those not running for office felt the repercussions.

The controversy around “text-gate” highlights a broader issue in Manassas politics: a hyper-partisan environment that has emerged since 2020. Democrats in city leadership have largely appointed like-minded individuals to board and commission positions and fill vacant council seats. For some residents, this has led to feelings of alienation. Many have chastised Mayor Davis-Younger for seeming to dismiss or avoid engaging with perspectives that don’t align with her own, creating an atmosphere where dissenting voices feel marginalized.

We at Potomac Local News have criticized the mayor for personalizing politics, valuing positive press, and maintaining control over her narrative. While Mayor Davis-Younger frequently uses the phrase “Our Manassas” to promote unity, that unity often seems conditional—extended only to those who support her leadership.

Her continued reluctance to grant a sit-down interview to Potomac Local News, despite our repeated requests since 2019, is a testament to her aversion to critical coverage. However, she recently promised to give us her first interview post-reelection. If she honors this commitment, it could signal a readiness to engage more openly with the press and residents with differing viewpoints.

The inroads Republicans have made this election should be a wake-up call for Manassas Democrats. With conservatives gaining ground across the city and state, it’s clear that the electorate has been evolving since President Donald Trump’s first term when Democrats posted significant gains in local and state-level offices.

For those in power, governing solely for a base of loyal supporters may no longer be sufficient—or sustainable. As seen in the City Council race, no single candidate can now assume widespread support and future victories will likely depend on a broader coalition.

Democrats in Manassas must recognize the changing political landscape and adapt by genuinely embracing diverse perspectives and governing the entire community. In Virginia’s annual election cycle, political tides can shift quickly, and the lessons of 2024 should serve as a reminder that leadership, inclusivity, and responsiveness to all constituents—not just loyalists—are essential in a city as dynamic as Manassas.

Happy Halloween! It’s scary to think of all the local news you might miss if you’re not visiting PotomacLocalNews.com regularly. Our daily email brings you the six most recent posts, but there’s so much more happening in our community that you won’t want to miss.

Here’s a glimpse of what might have passed you by if you haven’t checked in on our site:

• Stafford County Government Offices Closed November 5 for Election Day
• University of Mary Washington and George Mason University Renew Partnership
• Street Closure to Affect Fredericksburg Voters on Election Day
• Suspect Charged in Woodbridge Domestic Violence Case
• Woodbridge Woman’s Fourth DUI
• Sheriff’s Report: ‘Cat-itude’ Leads to Assault at Jay’s Sports Bar

And there’s even more! Be sure to set PotomacLocalNews.com as a tab in your browser and check back throughout the day. Local stories are constantly updating – you never know what might appear next.

Wishing you a safe and spooktacular Halloween,

The Potomac Local News Team

P.S. Don’t miss the chance to x-ray your Halloween candy – details are on our site!

Our internship program provides college and high school students with practical journalism experience. More than just writing news stories, the program teaches students how to talk to people, conduct interviews, and conduct themselves professionally.

Here’s what our interns are learning and why they joined:

Skills Development

• Interns are trained to conduct interviews, write news articles, and learn the workflow of a local newsroom.
• They practice fact-based reporting and clear, objective writing, particularly for Small Business Spotlight articles.
• Interns receive personalized feedback, with a focus on creating impactful headlines and mastering the posting process.

Program Insights

During a recent meeting, we discussed professional communication and journalistic integrity.

• Interns were shown how to manage their own story assignments and update progress using an organized posting group.
• Kiser emphasized the importance of clear communication, explaining, “As journalists, we strike out all the extra words and get straight to the point.”

Why They Joined

Each intern shared their unique reasons for joining Potomac Local News:

• Jazbia Fasih Chaudhry, from Colgan High School in Woodbridge, said, “I wanted to try something new and gain journalism experience.”
• Rosa Rivera, from Osbourn High School in Manassas, joined because she aspires to pursue a writing career: “This internship is a great opportunity to build my skills for the future.”
• Aya Karouane, of Stafford, recently promoted to Content Manager, noted, “I joined to learn more about my community. Now, I feel more connected to what’s happening locally.”

Real-World Challenges

The interns practice reaching out to local businesses for interviews, facing the real-world challenge of obtaining responses.

• “The hard part is getting people to respond,” Kiser told the group, “but persistence pays off, especially when promoting unique local businesses.”

Our interns are looking to interview small bsuiness owners to write stories about businesses in our community. We’re providing This FREE service to the community in exchange for allowing our interns to interview them. If interested, please email us.

Have you got an event coming up? Whether it’s a community gathering, business workshop, charity fundraiser, or festival, you can easily promote it on our Potomac Local News Events Calendar — and the best part? It’s completely FREE!

Simply submit your event through our quick and easy form to get it in front of thousands of local readers. Events posted on our calendar can also be featured in our weekly newsletters, reaching an even broader audience across Prince William County, Stafford, Manassas, and Fredericksburg.

Want even more exposure? You can upgrade to a paid promotion that guarantees your event will be highlighted in multiple news emails and showcased on our homepage for 14 days — giving your event the spotlight it deserves!

Take advantage of this great opportunity and get the community’s attention for your event today!

Dear Members,

We seek your insights on the ongoing challenges with the Stafford County Public Schools transportation system. As many of you know, the start of the school year was marked by significant bus scheduling issues, leaving 3,000 children without transportation, as reported in late August. This has continued with late buses and some that never showed, profoundly affecting students and families.

Recently, the Stafford County School Board Chair, Maureen Siegmund, acknowledged these ongoing problems and discussed the potential for an independent investigation into what went wrong. The board is considering various steps to address the issues, which include software malfunctions and staff shortages that have significantly disrupted daily routines.

Your experiences are precious to us and to our community. Whether your child’s bus was late or didn’t show up, or if you’ve had to make alternative arrangements, we want to hear from you. You can simply share your story (please include your name, your child’s age, and the name of your child’s school) by texting 571-989-1695 or emailing us.

If you like, you may indicate if you are open to being contacted for an interview. Your voice is crucial in our continued coverage and advocacy for solutions.

Thank you for helping us gather this vital information and supporting local journalism.

Best regards,

Uriah Kiser
Founder & Publisher
Potomac Local News

Dear Potomac Local News Readers,

We’re excited to introduce our new History and Heritage Feature Series, exploring our region’s rich history and cultural heritage. This initiative wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of Sentara, whose commitment to local education helps bring these stories to life.

Our inaugural article features the historic Rippon Lodge in Woodbridge, one of Prince William County’s oldest homes, dating back to the 1740s. The County’s Historic Preservation Division has announced exciting plans for a new addition to the site: a Nature and Interpretive Center. This new facility will merge historical education with environmental stewardship, serving as a hub for learning and exploration. It aims to deepen our understanding of the site’s historical significance while promoting a greater appreciation for our natural environment.

We invite you to read the full article on our website and follow the series as we uncover and celebrate the legacy of Prince William County, Stafford County, Manassas, Manassas Park, and Fredericksburg.

Thank you for your continued support of local journalism. Your engagement is crucial as we preserve and share our community’s fascinating history.

Warm regards,

Uriah Kiser
Founder and Publisher
Potomac Local News

We’re thrilled to introduce our new intern, Jazbia Fasih Chaudhry, a 17-year-old senior from Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School in Prince William County.

With a passion for journalism and mechanical engineering, Jazbia is excited to dive into community reporting. Reflecting on why journalism matters, she says, “Community journalism is important because it helps people stay informed about what’s happening in their neighborhoods. It gives a voice to residents and helps build a sense of belonging.”

Jazbia’s interest in journalism is paired with a creative flair—she has experience in video editing and graphic design for her local mosque. Outside of journalism, she has a wide range of hobbies. “I absolutely love pilates, journaling, playing basketball, and listening to Brent Faiyaz,” she said. She also admits, “I watch too much Formula 1,” showing her passion for sports and competition.

When asked what she loves most about her community, Jazbia emphasized its diversity. “The best thing about my community is its diversity. I love learning new things about other cultures, religions, and ways of living. It helps people get past their differences and live together peacefully,” she said.

During her internship at Potomac Local News, Jazbia hopes to achieve something meaningful. “One thing I wish to have accomplished when I leave PLN is building good professional relationships and feeling more motivated to continue journalism.”

We’re excited to have her on board and look forward to the contributions she’ll make.

Dear Members,

Now that the weekend has arrived, we wanted to take a moment to celebrate the work we’ve done together this week to keep our community informed, empowered, and connected. Our team has been hard at uncovering stories that matter to you and highlighting the vibrant life in our region.

Here’s a look at some of the top stories we’ve brought to you:

• Restoring a Landmark: We shared the exciting news about the restoration of Goolricks Pharmacy, one of Fredericksburg’s most beloved landmarks. Soon, you’ll be able to enjoy their famous old-fashioned milkshakes once again.
• First Fridays Under Scrutiny: In Manassas, we dove into the City Council’s discussion about public safety and management changes to the much-loved First Fridays event.
• Bringing Jobs and Growth: In Prince William County, ATCC announced a major investment in a new biomanufacturing facility, creating 75 new jobs and driving innovation in global health.
• Stafford School Transportation Failures: We delivered critical coverage on the Stafford County School Board Chair’s response to the transportation crisis that left more than 3,000 students without reliable rides to school. Calls for an independent investigation are mounting, and we’ll continue to follow this story closely.
• Shining a New Light: North Stafford High unveiled the largest school solar array in Virginia, an exciting leap toward sustainability, saving millions in energy costs over the next 25 years.
• Election Readiness: With elections on the horizon, we continued to help voters make informed decisions by sharing candidate surveys from both state and local leaders.

This is just a sample of the stories we’ve published to keep you informed about what’s happening in our community. Your support makes this possible. If you’re not already a supporting member, we invite you to join us and help sustain local journalism. You can sign up for our $103 annual plan or our $9 monthly plan. Every contribution helps us continue to bring you the news that matters.

Thank you for being a part of our journey.

Uriah Kiser
Founder & Publisher
Potomac Local News

On the night before school started, Potomac Local News was the first to report that Stafford County Public Schools left more than 3,000 students and their parents scrambling when it failed to provide bus transportation to students who expected to ride the school bus.

The school division waited until the last minute to inform parents, causing many to rush to adjust schedules and make alternate arrangements to get their children to school.

Questions about what happened have only grown in the weeks since this debacle. Despite our multiple requests, no elected county school board member has agreed to be interviewed by Potomac Local News.

We have not forgotten, and we believe you deserve answers. We’ll continue reporting on this critical issue and cover the upcoming county school board meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024. Interestingly, as of this post, there is no scheduled discussion about the school bus issues on the meeting agendas.

The School Board will meet next Tuesday, September 10, 2024, for a 5:30 p.m. work session and a 7 p.m. meeting where the public may speak. Both meetings will be live-streamed. The broadcasts will also be live on local cable channels: Comcast channel 18, Cox channel 89, and Verizon channel 38—replays air on Fridays at 7 p.m., Saturdays at 1 p.m., and Tuesdays at 7 p.m.

You can read our previous reports for our continued coverage of this issue.

Thank you for your continued support of local news in our community. We are here to ensure you stay informed.