Dr. Babur Lateef, Chairman At-Large of the Prince William County School Board, has entered the race for Virginia’s Lieutenant Governor, positioning himself as an education-focused candidate in a crowded Democratic primary. With years of experience overseeing Virginia’s second-largest school division, Lateef brings a track record of pushing for increased teacher pay, improved graduation rates, and infrastructure investments—all issues he hopes to prioritize at the state level.

An Education-First Platform

Lateef, an ophthalmologist and longtime public servant, has served on the Prince William County School Board since 2018. Under his leadership, teacher salaries have increased by 61%, making the county more competitive with neighboring school divisions. Additionally, the county’s graduation rate has risen to 95%, the highest in its history.

“We know the biggest impact on student performance is the quality of the teacher in the room,” Lateef said during a recent appearance on the Potomac Local News Podcast. “Our commitment to teacher pay has helped us retain top educators and improve student outcomes.”

If elected Lieutenant Governor, Lateef says he will advocate for increased state funding for public schools, citing Virginia’s historically low contribution to education compared to other states. He believes more money should be returned from Richmond to local districts to help fund essential programs, maintain school facilities, and reduce the financial burden on county governments.

“Virginia ranks 42nd and 43rd in the nation in state funding for public education,” he noted. “That means less affluent school districts are paying more for education than their counterparts in other states. We need to change that.”

A Record of Advocacy and Leadership

Lateef has championed several education reforms in Prince William County, including a cell phone ban in classrooms, expanded specialty programs, and increased career and technical education investments. He has also emphasized the importance of extracurricular activities such as robotics, debate, and academic competitions to prepare students for high-paying jobs in the future.

“We’re seeing record amounts of scholarship money awarded to our students,” he said. “That’s real money in the pockets of real families, helping kids access higher education and better opportunities.”

His leadership in one of Virginia’s most diverse counties—where the student population reflects a broad range of socioeconomic backgrounds—has shaped his perspective on equity in education. He has called for the state to lift support caps on key school positions, including counselors and instructional coaches, to provide students with more resources.

Lateef Opposes Expansion of Gambling in Virginia

Babur Lateef voiced strong opposition to the expansion of gambling in Virginia, particularly the push to install skill-based gaming machines in convenience stores and grocery outlets.

Lateef criticized efforts to increase gambling accessibility, arguing that such measures do not align with the real concerns of Virginia families.

While acknowledging that casino projects, such as The Rose in Dumfries, have been approved through local referendums, Lateef drew a sharp distinction between those developments and placing gambling machines in everyday retail spaces. He called the latter “predatory gambling” and warned of the risks associated with exposing children to flashy, attention-grabbing slot machines in highly trafficked areas.

He also questioned the necessity of gambling revenue as a funding source for the state. “If your best idea for raising money is putting slot machines in convenience stores, that’s just an awful idea,” Lateef said. “We’re running surpluses in the state—our lawmakers should be working harder to come up with better solutions.”

Instead of expanding gambling, Lateef advocated for diversifying economic development strategies, pointing to the success of data centers in Prince William County as a potential model for other areas. He suggested that distributing data center projects across the state could generate significant local revenue without the social costs associated with gambling.

Statewide Impact and the Race Ahead

Lateef’s bid for Lieutenant Governor comes when education remains a hot-button issue in Virginia politics. He has argued that strengthening public schools should be a bipartisan priority and has pledged to work across party lines to secure more student funding and resources.

His campaign is also expected to focus on other economic issues, including workforce development and infrastructure improvements. Lateef has expressed support for expanding data centers across Virginia to boost local economies rather than concentrating them in just a few areas.

As he competes in a crowded field of Democratic candidates, Lateef hopes that his record in Prince William County will set him apart. With primary elections approaching, his ability to mobilize educators, parents, and voters who prioritize school funding could be a deciding factor in his campaign.

“We have a responsibility to invest in our kids,” he said. “If we do that right, we’re investing in Virginia’s future.”

As of February 3, 2025, the Democratic primary for Virginia’s Lieutenant Governor race features a competitive field of candidates, including Alex Bastani, Carl Eggleston, Ghazala Hashmi, Aaron Rouse, Victor Salgado, and Levar Stoney. Each candidate brings a unique background and policy focus, setting the stage for a dynamic contest as they vie for the party’s nomination. With education, economic growth, and healthcare emerging as key issues in the race, voters will have a range of choices in shaping Virginia’s leadership for the coming years.

Alex Bastani is an attorney and labor rights advocate known for his progressive stance on workers’ rights and economic justice. With experience in public service and community organizing, Bastani has positioned himself as a candidate focused on fighting income inequality and strengthening labor protections in Virginia.

Carl Eggleston is a longtime community leader and former Farmville town councilor with a history of public service and civic engagement. A small business owner, Eggleston has been an advocate for economic development in rural communities, emphasizing the need for investment in small businesses and infrastructure in underserved areas.

Ghazala Hashmi has served as a state senator representing Chesterfield County since 2020. She made history as Virginia’s first Muslim state senator and has been a vocal advocate for education reform, healthcare access, and reproductive rights. As chair of the Senate Education and Health Committee, she has sponsored legislation focused on expanding early childhood education and increasing funding for public schools.

Aaron Rouse is a former NFL player turned Virginia Beach city councilor and state senator. Since his election to the Senate in 2023, he has focused on social justice, criminal justice reform, and economic opportunities for underprivileged communities. Rouse, who also runs a nonprofit supporting underserved youth, has been a strong advocate for expanding access to affordable housing and creating pathways for workforce development.

Victor Salgado is a federal prosecutor and law professor who entered the race as an outsider with a focus on ethics reform and government accountability. With experience in prosecuting corruption cases, Salgado has positioned himself as a candidate dedicated to increasing transparency in state government and ensuring fair access to legal resources for all Virginians.

Levar Stoney is the former mayor of Richmond and a seasoned political leader who has championed racial equity, economic development, and education reform. Stoney, who previously served as Virginia’s Secretary of the Commonwealth, is best known for leading efforts to remove Confederate monuments and invest in Richmond’s public schools. His campaign emphasizes reducing poverty, expanding healthcare access, and ensuring economic opportunities for all Virginians.

With such diverse candidates, the Democratic primary is expected to be a highly contested race, with each hopeful offering distinct visions for Virginia’s future.

Virginia’s General Assembly convened on January 8 for the start of its 30-day session; to keep readers informed on their local representatives’ efforts, we’ve reviewed some of their bills and votes. Virginia shares bills, votes, and schedules online through the Legislative Information System.

Virginia has 40 Senators who serve 4-year terms.

Senator Tara Durant (R) represents District 27, which encompasses the City of Fredericksburg and some parts of Stafford and Spotsylvania Counties. Durant was elected in 2023. She serves on the Education and Health, Local Government, and Privileges and Elections committees.

Durant is Patron or Co-Patron on 50 bills. We explored a few:

SB749 K-12 schools and institutions of higher education; student participation in women’s sports; civil cause of action.

This bill mandates that all athletic teams or sports sponsored by public schools, Virginia High School League members, or public higher education institutions be designated based on the biological sex of participants. Teams must be labeled as male, female, or coed/mixed if open to both sexes. A signed physician’s statement is required to affirm the biological sex of any student wanting to join a designated team.

It prohibits female-designated teams from allowing male participants and ensures that no government entity, accrediting organization, or athletic association can take action against a school or institution for not following this rule. The bill also allows schools or institutions to take legal action if harmed by violations and permits students to file a civil suit if they are harmed due to a violation or for reporting one.

This bill was passed indefinitely by the Education and Health committee.

SB1241 Charitable gaming; certain common interest communities to conduct bingo.

This bill allows common interest communities serving residents 55 or older to become qualified organizations for conducting Bingo. Virginia currently has 520 organizations that are registered and allowed to conduct charitable gaming.

The bill is in the Finance and Appropriations committee, having passed the General Laws and Technology committee 10-5.

SB1244 Ed. opportunities for children of fed. employees; students transferring from foreign countries.

This bill aims to smooth the transition for children of federal employees who are transferring from foreign education into a Commonwealth school. The bill states delays in receiving school records from other countries and variances in attendance, curriculum, or other policies should not delay the student’s admittance to their Virginia school.

The bill passed the Education and Health committee 15-0 and is in the Senate.

SB1238 Health insurance; cost sharing for breast examinations.

This bill prohibits health insurance carriers from requiring cost sharing (such as copayments or deductibles) for diagnostic and supplemental breast examinations under certain health insurance policies, subscription contracts, and healthcare plans in Virginia, starting January 1, 2026. The bill defines these examinations to include diagnostic mammography, breast MRI, and breast ultrasound. This legislation is based on a recommendation from the Health Insurance Reform Commission.

The bill was incorporated with SB1436, which passed the Senate 40-0.

SB1289 Public elementary and secondary schools; nutritional standards for school meals and other foods.

This bill prohibits public elementary and secondary schools from offering or making students any foods that contain one of seven artificial dyes. The prohibited dyes include Red No. 3 and No. 40.

The bill passed the Education and Health committee and is in the Senate.

SB1443 Income tax; state; establishes car tax credit.

This bill would offer a tax credit for taxable years 2025 through 2027 to individuals who meet certain criteria in order to offset personal property taxes on vehicles. The bill notes that the personal property tax relief program has not been adjusted for changes in population, number of vehicles, and average vehicle value since 2004, when it established a $950 million program to distribute tax relief statewide.

The bill was passed indefinitely in the Finance and Appropriation Committee.

Jeremy McPike (D) represents District 29, which encompasses parts of Prince William and Stafford Counties. He is the Chair of the Local Government Committee, and serves on the Commerce and Labor, Finance and Appropriations, General Laws and Technology, and Rules committees.

McPike is listed as Patron or Co-Patron on 40 bills. We explored a few:

SB1301 Workers’ compensation benefits; post-traumatic stress disorder incurred by firefighters, etc.

The bill extends the duration of workers’ compensation benefits for law enforcement officers and firefighters suffering from mental health disorders incurred in the line of duty. It increases the maximum duration for anxiety or depressive disorders from 52 weeks to 104 weeks, and for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from 52 weeks to 500 weeks.

This bill passed the Commerce and Labor Committee 15-0 and was referred to Finance and Appropriations on Jan. 20.

HJ1 Constitutional amendment; fundamental right to reproductive freedom (first reference).

Senator McPike was the Senate patron for this bill; Del. Cole and many others were patrons in the House.

This bill affirms that every individual has a fundamental right to reproductive freedom, including decisions related to prenatal care, childbirth, postpartum care, contraception, abortion, miscarriage management, and fertility care. This right can only be restricted by a compelling state interest and the least restrictive means.

The Commonwealth can regulate abortion in the third trimester, but cannot prohibit it when necessary to protect the health or life of the individual, or if the fetus is not viable.

The bill passed 21-18 on Jan. 31. Vote detail was not available at the time of writing.

SB1312 Real property tax; high exemption locality reimbursements.

This bill would establish a reimbursement program for high exemption localities starting in tax year 2025. These localities will receive 50% reimbursement from the Commonwealth for the exemption value of real property that is exempt from taxes for disabled veterans or surviving spouses of fallen service members.

The exemption value is based on real property exceeding one percent of the locality’s total property value in 2022. A “high exemption locality” is defined as a locality where at least one percent of real property was exempt for these reasons in 2022.

The bill also mandates the Department to assist local revenue commissioners with data for administering the program. The bill would take effect on July 1, 2025, if passed during the 2025 General Assembly session.

This bill was passed by indefinitely on Jan. 23 by the Finance and Appropriations Committee with a 7-6 vote.

SJ249 Constitutional amendment; marriage between two adult persons, etc., (first reference).

This bill affirms the right of two adult persons to marry, regardless of their sex, gender, or race, and prohibits the Commonwealth and its political subdivisions from denying a marriage license based on these factors. It also mandates that all lawful marriages be recognized and treated equally under the law.

This amendment repeals the provision that defined marriage as only between one man and one woman, along with related provisions invalidated by the 2015 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges.

This bill passed Jan. 21 with a 24-15 vote. McPike and Durant both voted Yea.

SB1303 Public elementary and secondary schools; diabetes medical care and management in public schools.

This bill makes several changes to how public schools manage and care for students with diabetes. Students with parental consent and a provider’s approval may carry and use diabetic care supplies and manage their condition independently while at school. School Boards must ensure a certain number of school employees complete diabetes care training, and the bill expands the care services that school employees may assist with.

The bill is in the Senate.

SB1306 Taxation, Department of; repealing Virginia Free File Tax program.

This bill directs the state Tax Commissioner to end the Virginia Free File program and its agreement with the Consortium for Virginia.

It requires the Tax Commissioner to develop a new free individual state income tax filing program, starting in taxable year 2028, which will be similar to and compatible with the federal IRS Direct File program. To create this program, the Tax Commissioner must work with the IRS through a memorandum of understanding.

The General Assembly is scheduled to adjourn on Saturday, Feb. 22. Senators will continue introducing and reviewing bills throughout the period.

Virginia’s General Assembly convened on January 8 for the start of its 30-day session; to keep readers informed on their local representatives’ efforts, we’ve reviewed some of their bills and votes. Virginia shares bills, votes, and schedules online through the Legislative Information System.

Virginia has 100 delegates who serve two-year terms. Between Jan. 8 and Jan. 30, 2,370 bills were introduced by delegates and senators. A total of 287 have failed the House of Delegates so far, and 306 have passed the House, many of which have moved into a committee for further review.

Delegate Joshua Cole (D) represents the 65th District, which includes the City of Fredericksburg and parts of Spotsylvania and Stafford. Cole won re-election in November 2024 and is a member of three committees: General Laws, Health and Human Services, and Privileges and Elections.

Cole did not cast any votes on Jan. 30. On previous days, he voted Yes on all floor votes. Cole was a Patron or Chief Patron of 131 bills. We explored a few:

HB1600 Budget Amendment

Cole has requested $25,000 from the General Fund to support Stafford County’s Rappahannock Education Farm.

HB1598 Individual income tax; first-time homebuyer tax credit.

This bill would create a one-time tax credit for first-time homebuyers. From 2025 to 2029, eligible homebuyers can receive a nonrefundable income tax credit of up to $10,000 for expenses related to buying their first home. The credit is based on the purchase price of the home. However, if the buyer sells the home within three years of purchasing it, they will have to repay the credit.

The bill passed two committees with 5-3 and 11-10 split votes and is currently waiting for review by the Commerce, Agriculture, and Natural Resources Committee.

HB1599 Certain end-of-course Standards of Learning assessments; elimination and replacement.

This bill would eliminate the Department of Education’s end-of-course
Standards of Learning tests for Chemistry and World War II. Instead, localities would be required to create an end-of-course assessment for both courses.

The bill was referred to the Education Committee.

HB1601 Siting of data centers; site assessment; high energy use facility.

This bill would require localities to have applicants for data centers to perform and submit site assessments of sound assessments for residential areas and schools within 500 feet of the property boundary. Localities will also be allowed to require assessments of the impact of a new data center on agriculture, water, parks, historical sites, and forestlands.

The bill passed the house 57-40 and was referred to the Committee on Local Government on Jan. 24.

HB1635 Certified nurse midwives; licensed, certified midwives; independent practice; organized medical staff.

This bill allows licensed certified midwives (LCMs) to practice independently after completing 1,000 hours under a practice agreement, as long as they confirm the physician or midwife they worked with. It also lets certified nurse midwives (CNMs) and LCMs form practice agreements with other CNMs or LCMs who are authorized to practice independently. Additionally, the bill directs the Department of Health to update regulations so that organized medical staff can include independent practice midwives, physicians, and dentists.

The committee voted 21-0 to pass, with Cole not voting.

Delegate Paul Milde (R) was elected in 2023 and represents the 64th District, part of Stafford County. Milde serves on the Privileges and Elections and Transportation Committees.

Milde and Cole were sponsors of HB2164 Public school funding, specific funding calculations.

This bill requires the Dept. of Education to remove the value of real estate property eligible for tax exemptions for disabled veterans or surviving spouses when calculating a locality’s ability to pay for each school division. This bill would increase funding for areas with significant veteran populations.

The bill was set aside by the Appropriations committee.

Milde and Cole were both patrons of the HB1991 Domestic and Sexual Assault Conviction Database; established.

This bill would require the State Police to establish a database of persons convicted of certain crimes against family members or household members. The public could access this information on the State Police website, and persons listed would be able to petition for their removal from the database.

The bill was referred to the Committee for Courts of Justice.

Milde introduced 56 bills as a Chief Patron or Co-Patron. We explored a few:

HB2127 Local gov’t. employees; establishes a framework for the locality to establish & implement telework policy.

This bill allows localities to establish a framework to allow telework for local government employees. Employees would have to commit to a telework agreement, and requests for remote work would need to be approved by different authorities based on the number of remote workdays per week.

The bill was submitted January 7, before President Donald Trump  mandated federal employees return to the workplace. It was set aside by the Counties, Cities and Towns committee on Jan. 17.

HB1551 Income tax, state; removes sunset on elevated standard deduction amounts, etc.

This bill would remove the sunset provision which currently applies to the current standard deduction amounts, which were established in 2017’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. As a result, the current standard deduction amounts would apply permanently and not expire after Taxable Year 2025.

Under current law, the standard deduction amounts are $8,500 for single individuals and $17,000 for married persons filing jointly. Because of the sunset provision, the standard deduction is currently set to revert to $3,000 for single individuals and $6,000 for married persons filing jointly after Taxable Year 2025. If enacted during the regular session of the 2025 General Assembly, this bill would become effective July 1, 2025.

This bill was assigned to a Finance subcommittee on Jan. 25.

HB1885 Juvenile/adult adjudicated delinquent/convicted of violent juvenile felony; immigration status.

This bill would require the Director of the Department of Juvenile Justice to report any juveniles or adults found guilty of violent juvenile crimes to ICE if they are found to be in the country illegally.

The bill was referred to the Committee for Courts of Justice.

HB2129 Exchange of items on roadways; the ability of localities to prohibit.

This bill would allow localities to ban the exchange or attempted exchange of any item between a pedestrian and the occupant of a motor vehicle on a roadway. Violators could receive a fine of $50 or less.

The bill was set aside by the Counties, Cities and Towns committee on Jan. 24.

HB1985 Child support orders; date of conception.

For children conceived on or after July 1, 2025, this bill would make child support orders retroactive to the date of conception. Under current law, child support orders are retroactive to the date of the filing for child support.

This bill was struck from the docket on Jan. 15.

Candi Mundon King (D) represents the 23rd District, which covers part of Prince William and Stafford Counties. She chairs the Counties, Cities and Towns committee; is Vice Chair of Public Safety, and a member of the Finance and Labor and Commerce Committees. King was a Patron or Co-Patron of 80 bills. King voted Yes on all Floor votes except HB2595, related to tax credits for firearm safety devices. That bill later passed 99 – 0 after a passage was reconsidered. We explored a few of King’s bills:

HB1614 Postpartum doula care; DMAS to amend state plan for medical assistance services.

This bill directs the state medical plan to provide payments for post-partum doula care.

The bill passed the house 89 to 9 on Jan. 28. Cole was also a patron of this bill.

HB1844 Baby Food Protection Act; testing and labeling requirements for toxic heavy metals.

This bill provides for a work group to study the presence of toxic metals in baby food products and requires manufacturers to comply with limits and testing requirements set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

This bill was assigned to the Commerce, Agriculture and Natural Resources subcommittee.

HB2041 Speed safety cameras; placement and operation.

This bill allows localities to install speed cameras. New cameras must be announced publicly and requires a warning by mail for the first 30 days instead of a ticket or fine. It also requires localities have periodic reviews of the cameras and traffic impacts, provide public information about usage of the cameras, and form advisory groups related to the use of the cameras.

The bill was amended by the Transportation Committee.

HB1928 Minimum wage.

This bill raises the minimum wage to $15.00 per hour by January 1, 2027. The increase will be done in increments: minimum wage was $12.41 per hour effective Jan. 1, 2025 and will raise to $13.50 effective Jan. 1, 2026.

The bill passed the House 50-46 on Jan. 30; the voters’ list was not available at the time of writing.

The House of Delegates is scheduled to adjourn on Saturday, Feb. 22. Delegates will continue introducing and reviewing bills throughout the period.

On January 7, the U.S. House of Representatives convened for the first session of the 119th Congress and passed H.R. 29, the “Riley Laken Act,” with bipartisan support.

The bill is named in memory of Riley Laken, a 22-year-old nursing student tragically murdered in February 2024 while jogging on the University of Georgia campus. Her assailant, José Antonio Ibarra, a 26-year-old Venezuelan national who entered the U.S. illegally, was convicted and sentenced to life in prison without parole.

Riley’s death ignited widespread media attention and a national debate over immigration policies, focusing on the detention and monitoring of individuals entering the country illegally.

The Riley Laken Act mandates the detention of certain undocumented immigrants arrested for or charged with crimes such as burglary and theft. It also empowers states to sue the federal government for perceived failures in immigration enforcement.

The bill passed the House with a 264-159 vote. Eleven members abstained, while 48 Democrats joined Republicans in support of the measure.

Northern Virginia’s Representatives Divided

Representative Suhas Subramanyam (D-10, Loudoun, Prince William, Manassas) was among the Democrats who voted in favor of the bill, joining five Republican representatives from Virginia.

Meanwhile, Eugene Vindman (D-7th, Woodbridge, Stafford, Fredericksburg) opposed the legislation. In a statement, Vindman expressed frustration over the lack of collaboration, stating:

“The Riley Laken Act puts additional burdens on our local police without their input or additional funding, overwhelms our corrections facilities, and leaves so many of the most pressing challenges on immigration unresolved.”

Vindman, a University of Georgia alumnus with a family member currently attending the school, emphasized his commitment to bipartisan solutions:

“I voted no today to uphold the right to due process and keep our law enforcement focused on the most pressing issues in our communities, but remain frustrated by the lack of real solutions to our immigration problems. We need to find bipartisan solutions that prioritize securing our borders while providing pathways to legal immigration.”

Vindman narrowly won his seat in the November 2024 election against Republican challenger Derrick Anderson.

Historical Context: Bipartisan Immigration Legislation

The Riley Laken Act echoes the controversy surrounding H.R. 7909, the “Violence Against Women by Illegal Aliens Act,” passed in 2024. That legislation, which garnered support from 51 Democrats, including Vindman’s predecessor Abigail Spanberger, made sexual offenses or conspiracies to commit them grounds for deportation. It also expanded the list of domestic violence crimes that can lead to deportation, including physical or sexual abuse and coercive behavior within close relationships.

After passing the House in September 2024, H.R. 7909 was sent to the Senate and referred to the Judiciary Committee for review.

Both bills underscore the continued challenge of addressing immigration policy, balancing enforcement, and securing bipartisan consensus on pathways to reform.

Monica Gary, who represents the Aquia District on the Stafford County Board of Supervisors, announced she will step down at the end of her term on December 31, 2025. Gary, elected in 2021, shared her decision in a statement posted to Facebook emphasizing family and faith as her priorities moving forward.

“As we enter the New Year and I spend time mindfully with my family, I’m reminded of how quickly life passes us by,” Gary wrote. She highlighted her family’s milestones, including her children’s graduations and her desire to be more present for her loved ones. “This is also a time for me to deepen my relationship with the Lord and prepare for whatever comes next.”

Gary expressed pride in her accomplishments on the board and encouraged others to serve their community. “The issues I ran on now have real, tangible solutions in place that will continue to move forward, even without my presence,” she said.

Her announcement comes amid lingering controversy following her censure by the Board of Supervisors in December 2024.

Censured Over Library Board Controversy

On December 17, 2024, the Stafford County Board of Supervisors voted 5-0, with one abstention, to censure Gary for her role in the removal of Mary Becelia from the Central Rappahannock Regional Library (CRRL) Board of Trustees earlier in the year. The board accused Gary of providing misleading information and violating its Code of Performance.

The censure resolution stated that Gary’s actions were “political in nature” and aimed at securing support from the Stafford Democratic Committee for her 2025 re-election bid. As part of the censure, Gary was removed from all board assignments and committee appointments.

Gary defended herself during the meeting, alleging retaliation by the board and accusing her colleagues of damaging public trust. “The public doesn’t trust because this board is not trustworthy and has shown themselves not to be so,” she said.

Community members rallied behind Becelia, a longtime volunteer in Stafford County, criticizing the board’s actions and calling for accountability. Becelia, accused of misconduct, described the ordeal as “reckless” and without evidence.

In a Facebook post, Gary admitted her role in Becelia’s removal, calling it a mistake and apologizing for the actions taken. Despite her attempts to reinstate Becelia, the board upheld its decision, citing misconduct and political motives tied to Gary’s re-election aspirations.

2023 Virginia State Senate Campaign

Before the censure and resignation announcement, Gary pursued higher office in 2023, running as an independent for Virginia’s 27th District State Senate seat. The district includes portions of Stafford and Spotsylvania counties and Fredericksburg.

The election results reflected a closely contested race dominated by the two major party candidates:

• Tara A. Durant (Republican): 34,180 votes (48.1%)
• Joel L. Griffin (Democrat): 32,927 votes (46.3%)
• Monica L. Gary (Independent): 3,282 votes (4.6%)

Monica Gary’s journey into public service is marked by a diverse and challenging background. Growing up in poverty, she became a mother at 17 and later endured an abusive relationship.

During this period, she worked as a dancer in strip clubs, a decision she attributes to the influence of her then-partner and the constraints of her circumstances.

Reflecting on this time, Gary told ABC News, “Because I grew up in purity culture, I thought, ‘Well, I’m broken, so no one’s ever gonna want me. I’ll just be with this guy who’s already awful to me because maybe he’ll want me.'”

Despite these hardships, she pursued higher education, earning a theology degree, and founded the New Wine Community Church in Stafford in 2019. Her experiences have profoundly shaped her approach to leadership and advocacy, emphasizing resilience and a commitment to community service.

The Stafford Board of County Supervisors will hold its annual organizational meeting on Tuesday, January 7, 2024.

With the establishment of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) on the horizon, Northern Virginia’s federal workforce and contractors brace for potential downsizing as the incoming administration targets redundancies and inefficiencies in government operations.

DOGE, a proposed federal agency designed to streamline government operations under incoming President-Elect Donald Trump, aims to enhance transparency and reduce bureaucratic inefficiencies. Specific focus areas include modernizing outdated IT systems, consolidating overlapping agency functions, and introducing advanced data analytics to improve decision-making processes.

This article is for our Locals Only members. Please Sign In or upgrade and Become a Locals Only Member today! Make the smart choice for staying informed about your community. Thank you!

Delegate Paul Milde (R-64, Stafford County) has introduced legislation aimed at closing a loophole created last year by HB 790, which inadvertently allowed underage students to possess tobacco and vaping devices on school grounds without facing legal consequences.

This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.

Following the Tuesday, November 5, 2025, General Election, Manassas Park will see a new mayor and a fresh face on the city council. Democrat Alanna M. Mensing, who ran unopposed, will assume the mayoral role, succeeding outgoing Mayor Jeanette Rishell. Mensing received 83.87% of the vote, marking a significant shift as Rishell, mayor since 2016, did not seek re-election this year.

Mensing, who has been involved in city government, brings a wealth of experience to her new role. She has served as Vice Mayor from 2022 to 2024 and has been a city council member since 2019. Additionally, she sits on the Manassas Park Planning Commission and previously served a term on the city’s school board. Outside of her public service, Mensing is a self-employed music teacher, offering lessons to local children and teaching piano at the Manassas Park Community Center from 2015 to 2020. She has resided in Manassas Park since 2009.

Democrat-endorsed Stacy J. Seiberling, who received 22.53% of the votes, will join the council. She brings a strong background in public service and local involvement. Seiberling has been a Manassas Park resident since

1999, serving on the Manassas Park School Board and the city’s Social Services Committee. She also has extensive experience in IT solutions, government management, and project management and holds a PMP certification. As a council member, Seiberling intends to prioritize fiscal responsibility, improve government transparency, and focus on community-driven solutions.

Returning to the council are two incumbents, Yesenia E. “Yesy” Amaya and Darryl G. Moore were re-elected. Amaya, originally from El Salvador, has been a Manassas Park resident since 2001. She brings business experience from owning and operating a bakery in Prince William County and an event venue with her sister. She captured 26.51% of the vote. Moore, a seasoned policy expert with 13 years in management with the Oakland Housing Authority and former Berkeley, California, city council member, garnered 26.25%.

Independent candidate Laura H. Hampton lost her re-election bid. Hampton, a lifelong Manassas Park resident, has served on the council since 2021. She is well-known for her advocacy work, including founding local initiatives like the Manassas Park Community Maintenance Group and Keep the Park Beautiful.

This election ushers in a blend of continuity and new perspectives for Manassas Park. Mensing is poised to lead the city into its next chapter as mayor, and Seiberling is adding her expertise to the governing body. The new council will focus on local issues, aiming to make the city a better place to live and work.

Federal and state

Democrats kept their stronghold in Manassas Park as Vice President Kamala Harris and Democratic candidates continued to secure significant leads over their Republican counterparts despite a stronger showing from former President Donald Trump in neighboring Prince William County.

In the Presidential race, Harris captured 58.57% of the vote in Manassas Park with 3,341 votes, while Trump followed with 38.50% and 2,196 votes. The outcome highlights the challenges Republicans face in gaining traction in this Democratic-leaning area, even as Trump’s performance across Prince William County showed marked improvement over previous years. According to the Virginia Public Access Project (VPAP), Trump narrowed the Democratic lead in Prince William County, winning 40% of the vote compared to his 36% share in 2020. Vice President Harris, meanwhile, won 57% of the county, a six-point drop from President Joe Biden’s 2020 win.

In the race for U.S. Senate, winning incumbent Democrat Tim Kaine maintained a comfortable lead, receiving 63.38% of the vote (3,545 votes) in Manassas Park. Republican challenger Hung Cao garnered 36.15% (2,022 votes). Kaine’s stronghold reflects the Democratic presence in this Senate seat and adds momentum for his party at the state level.

For the 10th District House of Representatives seat, Democratic candidate Suhas Subramanyam received 59.40% of the Manassas Park vote, totaling 3,281 votes. His Republican opponent, Mike Clancy, received 39.95%, or 2,207 votes. This demonstrates a similar trend to the Senate race, with Democratic support prevailing in the district. Subramanyam will replace the retiring Jennifer Wexton (D) who did not seek re-eleciton.

These results come amid a new alliance for local Republicans. In October, the Prince William County Republican Committee announced that it merged with the Manassas Park Republican Committee. The consolidation aims to strengthen the Republican base in Prince William County and Manassas Park as the party seeks to build on Trump’s gains.