We’re out here daily, covering the stories that matter to you and our region, including the recent election and its impact across Prince William County, Stafford, Manassas, Manassas Park, and Fredericksburg. It’s a fascinating time for local politics, and the election results show a shift in how our communities are engaging politically. Republicans made gains in areas that have been reliably Democratic, and there are implications as we head into a gubernatorial race next year.

In Prince William County, Kamala Harris lost nearly 7% of the votes Joe Biden won in 2020, which is a big deal in the state’s second-most-populated jurisdiction. In 2020, Biden won neighboring Stafford County by 2,600 votes, while Harris won in 2024 by just 275.

Understanding these changes isn’t just about the numbers; it’s about how these shifts will shape the future of our neighborhoods, schools, and local economies. We’re digging deep to ask what these results mean for our communities, what Democrats need to do to regain lost ground, and how Republicans plan to sustain momentum. These are stories you won’t find anywhere else, reported by people who know our area and care about its future.

This in-depth, ongoing political coverage is made possible through the support of readers like you. By upgrading to a paid membership, you’re investing in high-quality, local journalism that makes you smarter about the community where you live. We believe in asking the tough questions, covering the stories that impact your daily life, and giving you the insights you need to make informed decisions.

We need your support to continue this essential reporting. Upgrade today and become part of the story. Let’s continue building a community where everyone is informed and empowered.

Thank you for being a part of Potomac Local News.

Uriah Kiser
Founder and Publisher
Potomac Local News

Just days after securing another ninth term in Congress, Representative Gerald E. "Gerry" Connolly revealed he had been diagnosed with esophageal cancer. The diagnosis came as a surprise to Connolly, who noted he had experienced only mild, intermittent abdominal aches and pains with no major symptoms. He shared the news in a heartfelt message to constituents, explaining his treatment plan, which includes chemotherapy and immunotherapy, set to begin immediately.

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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.

In Virginia’s highly contested 7th Congressional District race, Democratic candidate Eugene S. Vindman currently leads Republican Derrick M. Anderson by a narrow 12,750 votes, with Vindman tallying 152,136 votes to Anderson’s 139,386.

However, Anderson’s campaign has emphasized that the race remains undecided, with significant numbers of ballots still uncounted and Orange County’s Election Day results not yet published.

“Simply put, like so many other races across the country, this race remains too close to call,” Anderson stated. “And like many other races across the country, it has not been called by any major media outlet. The reality is that there are thousands of outstanding ballots to count. In fact, according to the VA Dept. of Elections, Orange County hasn’t published any Election Day votes.”

We told you last night that Vindman declared victory. 

In Orange County, so far, Vindman captured 4,174 votes, or 42.74%, while Anderson received 5,569 votes, or 57.02%. Anderson’s campaign expects the final tally here could play a significant role in the district’s outcome. “Many of those ballots will be counted today,” Anderson added. “Our team is deploying out to canvasses across all 11 localities in VA07 to get an accurate read on all the votes outstanding.”

The breakdown of votes in other counties shows Prince William County delivered the highest number of votes to Vindman, with 74,834 compared to Anderson’s 38,512. In Culpeper County, however, Anderson claimed a substantial lead, capturing 17,335 votes to Vindman’s 10,349. Other counties, including Spotsylvania and Greene, followed similar trends, with Anderson leading in more rural areas while Vindman garnered stronger support in urban and suburban regions.

The campaign also noted that the Virginia Department of Elections has a Friday deadline for voters to cure ballots that were rejected for various reasons. “We will be working hard to ensure that every vote is counted,” Anderson said, urging voters whose ballots were initially rejected to take action before the deadline.

Anderson criticized a local media entity for what he described as “misinformation” after an incorrect race call led to confusion. “To be exceedingly clear: this media entity gave Virginia voters misinformation at a critical point during an election,” he said. “We ask that, given the amount of misinformation already going around today, any outlet with questions please reach out to us immediately.”

As final counts and cures continue, both campaigns remain vigilant, with Anderson’s team actively tracking remaining ballots across the district’s 11 localities to ensure every vote is accounted for.

More as we have it.