The Prince William Board of County Supervisors dean announced her run to become its chair.
Jeanine Lawson, who served on the board the longest of all its eight members since 2014, seeks to unseat Ann Wheeler, who has served as board chair since 2020. Lawson has been an outspoken opponent of Wheeler and the majority of Democrats who have pushed to put more data centers and other industrial businesses in the western portion of the county.
Last fall, Lawson led a fight to oppose the Prince William Digital Gateway, 27 million square feet of data center space that could be developed next to the Manassas National Battlefield, after the board amended the county’s comprehensive plan last fall, after a marathon 14-hour meeting.
Last spring, Lawson ran to become the Republican candidate to run against Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D) in Virginia’s 10th congressional district. Hung Cao won a May 2022 GOP firehouse primary to become the nominee.
Meanwhile, Wheeler, a Democrat, faces opposition from a candidate in her party — Deshundra Jefferson, whose been critical of Wheeler over the past two years and her push to trade rural land for data centers, is seeking her party’s endorsement in a June 2023 Primary Election.
Lawson said she would campaign on a platform to end regular tax increases and to reduce the county’s increasing crime rate.
More in a press release:
Today Brentsville Supervisor, Jeanine Lawson, announced her bid for Chair of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors.
“Under the failed leadership of our current Chair, Prince William County has been quickly moving in the wrong direction,” Lawson said. “In three short years under her iron-fisted reign, we’ve watched her lead with extreme and reckless policies, while putting her political agenda first and Prince William families last. We deserve better.”
Here are just a few disturbing facts from the past three years under our current county Chair’s failed leadership:
Rising taxes – over $1,400 more in annual real estate tax bills for the average Prince William County family, plus a new meals tax, and additional proposed tax increases.
Skyrocketing crime – 150% increase in homicides since 2020.
The prioritization of a multi-billion dollar data center industry over residents – giving big business tax breaks on the backs of Prince William families.
“Enough is enough. Our local taxes are through the roof. Unchecked development is rampant while conservation and concerns about our local environment have been tossed aside. Crime in every corner of the county is skyrocketing,” Lawson continued. “It’s time to throw out our current Chair’s radical approach and implement new, practical, constituent-focused solutions to local governing.”
“As your next Chair, I’ll restore common-sense leadership, integrity, and a balanced approach back to our Board of Supervisors. I’m running to represent our families and neighbors, not an out-of-touch agenda. I’ll strive to lower our cost of living, improve our quality of life, and manage the growth of our communities in a responsible way.”
Jeanine Lawson has lived in Prince William County since 1995, where she and her husband Dan raised their two children. Since 2014, Jeanine has served on the Board of Supervisors representing the Brentsville District where she has been re-elected twice. During her time in office, Jeanine has fought to keep taxes low, support public safety agencies and manage growth.
Updated Wednesday, September 21 -- Theresa Coates Ellis is seeking a second term on the Manassas City Council.
She and Lynn Forkell Greene are the only two Republicans on the city's top governing board, which Democrats have controlled since 2020.
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Daniel M. Gade will be the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate to face incumbent Mark Warner (D) in the November 3 General Election.
Gade handily beat his Republican Primary Election opponents Allisa A. Baldwin, and Thomas Speciale II with 67% of the vote. Locally Gade won Prince William and Stafford counties with 58% and 64% of the vote, respectively.
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Tuesday is Primary Day across Virginia, where voters will head to the polls to choose candidates for Senate and House of Representatives.
Polls open at 6 a.m. Tuesday, June 23, and close at 7 p.m.
Three Republicans are vying to unseat Mark Warner, a Democrat who was first elected to the office in 2009.
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Manassas citizens will have the chance to vote to select three out of four Democrats running for City Council in a June 23 Primary.
Polls in the city will open at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.
The vote will occur before they head to the general election in November. There are four candidates, including the incumbents Mark Wolfe and Vice Mayor Pamela Sebesky.
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Manassas citizens will have the chance to vote to select three out of four Democrats running for City Council in a June 23 Primary.
Polls in the city will open at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.
The vote will occur before they head to the general election in November. There are four candidates, including the incumbents Mark Wolfe and Vice Mayor Pamela Sebesky. Two newcomers, Helen Zurita and Tom Osina, also have thrown their hats in the ring. Only three will win and head to the November election.
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It's looking like Manassas City will have a female mayor for the first time in its 147-year history.
Mayor Hal Parrish II announced his retirement at a small gathering at Okras restaurant in Downtown Manassas in February. It came as a surprise to many, as he's served as mayor since 2008, and has been on the city council since 1993.
As Parrish departs, he's leaving the city in a similar economic climate that mirrors the financial crisis of 2008, when he won his mayoral job. After a banner economic year for the city, unemployment in the city has skyrocketed to 13% -- levels seen during the Great Depression of the 1930s -- following the pandemic.
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Ann Little is running for Mayor of the City of Fredericksburg.
She'll face incumbent Mayor Katherine Greenlaw in an upcoming city-wide election on May 19. That election was postponed from May 5 by order of Gov. Ralph Northam, due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Little has a green thumb that has helped her grow her businesses. She has founded many companies including AGL Marketing in 1977, Through The Garden Gate Landscaping Company in 2004, and Tree Fredericksburg in 2008.
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Diane Raulston aims to keep her seat on the Prince William County School Board, and says the work to reduce or remove classroom trailers needs to continue.
Name: Diane L. Raulston
Party: Democrat
County: Woodbridge
Running for: Prince William County School Board – Neabsco District
Website: facebook.com/friendsforDianeRaulston
Work: I am a retired activist who currently sits on the PWCS School Board. I represent the Neabsco District.
Education: I attended Kansas State College and majored in English and Journalism.
Community Involvement: In 2007, I moved to Dale City, Virginia where I obtained membership in many local and civic organizations. I am a former member of the Bel Air Women’s Club. I am an active member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1503, a lifetime member of the Dale City Civic Association, and volunteer with the Prince William County Lassie League.
On a county level, I was appointed to serve two terms as chair of the Neabsco Budget Committee at the pleasure of my late friend, the Honorable John D. Jenkins, Board of County Supervisors. I am a former member of the Prince William County Disability Services Board, and the Discover Prince William & Manassas Convention and Visitors Bureau.
I received Congressional Recognition of Volunteerism from Congressman Gerald Connolly in 2013 and 2014 and from U.S. Senator Mark Warner in 2014. I currently sit on the Board of directors of the Prince William County Boys and Girls Club. As mentioned
I am currently a sitting member of the PWC School Board, representing the Neabsco District and looking forward to another great four years representing my district.
Questions and Answers
PL: What are the top three major issues facing the district you wish to represent?
Raulston: Eliminating the remaining trailers. Increasing the district’s school budget, and transportation.
PL: What concrete solutions do you propose to address these issues?
Raulston: School renovations following trailer elimination, work with the board members to increase the school site budgets, and obtaining competitive salaries for school bus drivers.
PL: From your perspective, what is the job description of the office you’re seeking?
Raulston: Oversight of the Superintendent to make sure he is achieving the visions and goals of the district, work within the budget and advocate for the teachers, parents, and students.
PL: What expertise will you bring to the office?
Raulston: As the incumbent, I will bring my four years of experience as a sitting member PWC School Board representing the Neabsco district and my future four-year strategic plan that includes increasing parent involvement and a journey of continuous progress to upgrade technology and systems.
PL: Do you feel that the average citizen is well-informed and understands the workings of local government?
Raulston: No. I intend on improving communication with my constituency by frequent town hall meetings, simplified social media access, and newsletters.
PL: Have you ever made any mistakes in your public life? How have they affected you?
Raulston: No.
PL: Our readers want leaders in local government. Why should they vote for you?
Raulston: Over the last four years I was able to reduce 70% of the trailers in the Neabsco District. We have seen continuous academic progress in our schools at every grade level. Going forward I will continue to work with leadership and the community for the best interests of our students.
