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.

Republican candidate Derrick Anderson officially conceded his race for Virginia’s 7th Congressional District on November 7, 2024.

His Democratic opponent, Eugene Vindman, claimed victory on Election Night, securing 50.94% of the vote in Prince William County compared to Anderson’s 48.79%. Prince William, the district’s most populous jurisdiction, played a crucial role in the outcome.

Anderson’s campaign focused heavily on voter outreach across the district, particularly in Prince William County. He noted his efforts to connect with voters in the area, saying his team “did well in Prince William” by visiting locations like Todos and other local businesses to address issues such as rising electricity costs. His strategy resonated strongly in precincts like Colgan and Quantico, where he led with 54.90% and 54.70% of the vote, respectively.

Vindman’s victory was aided by significant early voting support in Prince William County, where he received 66.88% of in-person early votes. Anderson thanked his supporters, acknowledging their dedication and hard work throughout the campaign. While disappointed by the results, Anderson conveyed pride in his efforts to address community concerns and optimism for the future of the 7th District.

Anderson emphasized unity and the importance of addressing the pressing concerns of local residents. In his address, Anderson reflected on his campaign, acknowledging the dedication of his volunteers and supporters. He thanked an extensive network of friends, family, and colleagues, underscoring the deep community ties that fueled his bid for office.

Anderson, who grew up in Spotsylvania County, shared his motivation for running: a commitment to improve the lives of those in his district. He recounted memories of mopping floors at his mother’s restaurant and wrestling at Courtland High School, moments that shaped his vision for service. “The seventh district is my home,” he said. “It’s where I began my journey that took me to the army and ultimately to run for Congress.”

While recounting his experiences and milestones, Anderson addressed the recent election process, noting the 11,000 provisional ballots still pending. However, with the current ballot count leaving no clear path to victory, he conceded, stating it was in the district’s best interest to move forward.

Reflecting on broader national concerns, Anderson outlined his expectations for Washington. He called for a secure border, fiscal responsibility, and support for the nation’s allies, asserting that the next administration should focus on citizens’ economic well-being. “People are ready for change,” he said, voicing the frustrations of those struggling with rising costs of living and security concerns.

In closing, Anderson urged the community to set aside partisan differences and work together, regardless of the campaign’s outcome. “While we can’t claim victory today, I’m asking everyone to come together, as one district, dedicated to looking after our fellow neighbors and focusing on a better future,” he concluded, leaving a message of hope and resilience for his supporters and constituents alike.

This was Anderson’s second bid for the congressional seat. He ran in a Republican Party Primary Election in 2022, and lost to Prince William County Supervisor Yesli Vega, who lost to Democrat Abigail Spanberger (D).

Spanberger, a three-term congresswoman, has hinted she will run against Lt. Gov. Winsome Sears in Virginia’s gubernatorial race in 2025 to replace Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R), who cannot seek re-election due to constitutionally imposed term limits.

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.

Connolly, a Democrat representing Virginia’s 11th Congressional District, won his November 5 election with a decisive 66.5% of the vote, totaling 250,962 ballots in his favor. His opponent, Republican Mike L. Van Meter, garnered 33.06% of the vote, with 124,780 votes. This victory marks another term for Connolly, who has been a prominent advocate for the people of Northern Virginia.

In his announcement, Connolly expressed confidence in his medical team and optimism about his prognosis. “Cancer can be tough. But so am I,” he said, promising to approach treatment “with Irish fight and humor.” While acknowledging that he might feel fatigued during treatment, he reassured constituents of his commitment to fulfilling his responsibilities in the district and Capitol Hill.

Connolly previously represented eastern Prince William County until 2022, when it was redistricted. As part of the decennial redistricting process, Prince William County was split into the 7th and 10th congressional districts, limiting Connolly’s representation to Fairfax County.

In his message, Connolly thanked his family, friends, and supporters for their encouragement, expressing that their love and support would sustain him during this challenging time. He emphasized his privilege to serve and his dedication to continuing his work while undergoing treatment.

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.

Virginia delivered a decisive win for Vice President Kamala Harris, with 51.54% of the vote in the 2024 presidential election. Harris secured 2,104,533 votes statewide, edging out Republican opponent Donald Trump, who garnered 46.86% and 1,913,435 votes.

Harris’s victory included significant support from populous localities like Fairfax and Prince William County, which was critical to her statewide margin. In Fairfax, Harris won decisively with 5,292 votes, or 64.60%, while Trump received 2,541 votes or 31.02%. Prince William County also leaned toward Harris, where she earned 124,465 votes, representing 57.29% of the vote, compared to Trump’s 39.56%.

Harris maintained a strong lead in more minor yet pivotal areas like Fredericksburg and Manassas. Fredericksburg saw Harris with 8,401 votes (64.57%), while Trump received 4,294 votes (33.00%). In Manassas, Harris secured 56.18% of the vote, with 8,726 ballots cast in her favor, while Trump garnered 41.50%.

Manassas Park also leaned toward Harris, with 58.35% of votes cast for her (3,298 votes), while Trump’s was 38.75% (2,190 votes).

Stafford County remained highly competitive, with Harris narrowly edging Trump by a slim 285 votes. Harris obtained 39,616 votes (49.19%), while Trump came in close at 48.83%, reflecting 39,331 votes.

Trump, however, led in several traditionally conservative areas. Fauquier County reported a strong preference for Trump, with 59.91% of voters casting ballots for him (26,192 votes) versus Harris’s 38.42% (16,799 votes). Spotsylvania County similarly favored Trump with 41,553 votes, or 53.58%, while Harris received 34,799 votes (44.87%).

In Prince William County, Republicans made noticeable gains compared to 2020, narrowing the gap traditionally held by Democrats. While Harris secured 57.29% of the vote in 2024, this marked a decline from the larger margins achieved by Democrats in the previous presidential election. Trump’s performance in the county, capturing 39.56% of the vote, reflects a concerted effort by the GOP to appeal to suburban voters in a region where Democrats have typically held a comfortable lead.

In Stafford County, Republicans also closed in on Democrats’ lead from 2020, making the race especially competitive. Harris narrowly won the county by just 285 votes, securing 49.19% of the vote compared to Trump’s 48.83%. This tight margin reflects a shift in a locality that has traditionally leaned Republican but has seen growing Democratic support in recent years.

From The Center Square:

Democratic state Sen. Suhas Subramanyam defeated Republican challenger Mike Clancy for Virginia’s 10th Congressional District.

Subramanyam won by 52.1%-47.9% with more than 95% of votes in.

Subramanyam, having represented Virginians in the state House of Delegates and Senate for four years and served as a White House technology policy advisor to President Obama, put out a formal statement at 9:20 PM, with 89% of the vote in and before the race had been called by the Associated Press or the New York Times.

Today, November 4, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R) and Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin will join Republican congressional candidate Derrick Anderson in a Get Out the Vote Rally in Spotsylvania County.

A former Green Beret, Anderson is vying to unseat Democratic Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger in Virginia’s hotly contested 7th District. Anderson faces Democrat Eugene Vindman in what many are calling a close race.

The rally, intended to energize supporters just days before Election Day, will be held at Anderson’s campaign office near the Cracker Barrel on Southpoint Parkway, conveniently located near I-95. Doors open at 4:30 p.m., with the event beginning at 5 p.m.

Election Day is tomorrow, Tuesday, November 5, 2024.

From The Center Square:

The districts most likely to shift Virginia’s current balance of power in the House of Representatives from Democratic to Republican would be District 7 or 10, according to the nonpartisan Virginia Public Access Project – but that may prove a tough feat for District 10’s Republican Mike Clancy.

Clancy is a lawyer, tech executive and “national media commentator,” according to his campaign website. He was the clear winner of the district’s Republican primary, capturing nearly 65% of the vote. But he has never been elected to state-level office before. At the same time, his competitor is Sen. Suhas Subramanyam, D-Loudoun, elected to the state Senate after two terms in its House of Delegates.