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.
Ross Snare has resigned as Chairman of the Manassas Regional Airport Commission, effective Monday, October 21, 2024. His departure comes amid unverified allegations involving disparaging remarks about a city council member, adding fuel to an already heated local election season.
Snare, a Prince William County resident, was appointed to the commission by the Manassas City Council in 2018 and reappointed in 2022. He made history in June 2023 by becoming the youngest and first county Prince William County resident to serve as Chairman. During his tenure, Snare played a pivotal role in the airport’s efforts to introduce commercial flights, a milestone now expected to be achieved in 2026, a year behind the initial schedule.
In his resignation letter to the city council, Snare cited personal matters and other commitments as his reasons for stepping down. “Serving as chair during this transition over the past several years has been the honor of a lifetime,” Snare wrote. “I wish you all the best during this transition.”
The resignation followed a podcast episode of “Until They Kick Us Out,” where hosts read aloud text messages they claimed were between Snare, Mayor Michelle Davis-Younger, and a city employee, allegedly disparaging a sitting council member. Potomac Local News has not independently verified these messages.
This development occurs in the context of a contentious local election, where incumbent Mayor Michelle Davis Younger, a Democrat, faces challenger Xiao Yin “Tang” Byrom, a Republican and longtime city business owner. The podcast hosts have publicly endorsed Byrom for the upcoming November election. With three city council seats and four school board seats also in contention, the campaign has been marked by polarizing debates over property taxes, public safety, capital projects, and school accreditation.
Snare, who currently serves as the Associate Chief of External Affairs for UVA Health, has a background in political affairs and community service, including his role as the Chief Operating Officer of the Prince William Chamber of Commerce. He has been a vocal advocate for the airport, highlighting its economic impact, which includes $375 million in annual economic activity and over 1,350 jobs.
The Manassas Regional Airport, which covers 889 acres, is the busiest general aviation airport in Virginia, with plans to transform it into a hub for commercial passenger flights. The commission’s recent approval of these plans is seen as a significant step toward achieving a vision that has been in the works since the mid-1990s.
Manassas is gearing up for an engaging Mayoral Forum on October 1, 2024. The event, featuring incumbent Mayor Michelle Davis-Younger (D) and challenger Xiao-Yin Tang Byrom (R), will be held at the Manassas Museum, located at 9101 Prince William Street. Doors open at 6:00 p.m., and the program will commence promptly at 6:30 p.m.
Organized to give residents a direct channel to hear from the candidates about their visions and policies, the forum promises a thorough discourse on local issues. It will be moderated by trusted local entities, including InsideNova and the Prince William Times, and Potomac Local News.
Registration is mandatory for those planning to attend in person. Details are available on the event’s website. The venue will also provide light refreshments.
Understanding the importance of reaching a broader audience, the Prince William Chamber of Commerce will extend its service to the community by streaming the debate live on its official Facebook page. This service primarily targets those who cannot attend the forum in person. Interested viewers can access the live stream at facebook.com/pwchamber.
The Prince William Chamber notes that while it aims to provide uninterrupted streaming, it reserves the right to end the broadcast at any time and is not responsible for any potential streaming interruptions. This measure ensures that the event remains exclusive to registered and present attendees should there be any unforeseen issues with the online broadcast, the chamber states.
The Prince William Chamber provided the candidates with the questions in advance.
Early voting for the mayoral election, three open seats on the city council, and two on the school board is underway at the city’s voter registration office. Election Day is Tuesday, November 5, 2024.
The mayoral campaign in Manassas has begun, and Democrats have launched their first attack, focusing on the shirt color of the Republican candidate, Xiao Yin “Tang” Byrom.
Byrom knocked on doors and talked with voters on Sunday, August 4, 2024. She posted a photo of herself wearing her campaign colors, pink and green, on Facebook.
“Knock, knock, rain or shine here we come. Team Tang is ready to serve YOU!! Making more new friends… Can’t wait to see you next week and introduce you to the rest of the team,” Byrom posted on Facebook.
Byrom, a tailor and bridal consultant and owner of Tang’s Alterations, chose pink and green instead of traditional red and blue for her campaign colors. The Manassas and Manassas Park Cities Democratic Committee commented on Byrom’s post, criticizing her color choice.
“We are wondering over here: did you purposely choose AKA colors? To be honest, it feels disrespectful and disingenuous,” the committee posted. Presidential nominee Kamala Harris is a member of the AKA sorority, which sports the pink and green colors.
“I find your colors to be downright disrespectful! These colors represent our Vice President’s sorority, AKA. You are not Aka, nor do you represent our Vice President, who is now the Democratic nominee for president,” commented Helen Zurita.
The Manassas Republican Party responded to the criticism.
“Can’t believe we even have to jump in and comment but better than Tang having to waste time on this. Google Lilly Pulitzer. As the owner of one of the DMV’s top alterations and clothing shops, Tang has been making brides elegant, stylish and trendy right here in Manassas for 25 years and now she’s done the same to her campaign. How about we stop criticizing designers on their design inspirations and talk about issues voters care about?”
Delegate Ian Lovejoy (R), and former Manassas City Council member added, “The ‘choose the obscure colors of the vice president’s sorority to trick the HUGE portion of the voting public who base their vote on obscure sorority colors’ gambit.”
Mike Frowen commented, “We were wondering why Manassas and Manassas Park residents pay the highest tax rates in the State and have the worst school systems. Also wondering why you raised taxes during the pandemic and every year since and now brag about how much ‘revenue’ the city is bringing in. Stop drinking the cool aid and try some Tang!”
Ray Wachter stated, “Duly noted how you went immediately to race instead of, say, breast cancer awareness. You don’t own the colors. Not even the colors of the rainbow.”
Ray Settle remarked, “Get a grip. Put your wittle feewings back in your pocket, and get out here with the adults. Why would you even think you own a certain color? Because you’re unable to think, that’s why.”
Jimmy Lunsford commented, “It amazes me that Ms. Zurita is more bothered by the colors that a local mayoral candidate is using, than the fact that her party performed a major coup on a sitting president and installed someone who LITERALLY did not receive a single vote by the people.”
Catherine Stone McNickle asked, “Is this a Mean Girls skit? ‘On Wednesdays we wear pink’ + ‘You can’t sit with us!'”
Byrom has not commented on the matter, is facing one-term incumbent Democrat Michelle Davis Younger, and her campaign slogan is, “Tailoring Success for Everyone.”
Anna Phillips added, “What a great campaign slogan! I can’t wait to cast my vote for Tang4mayor in November and start some much-needed change in Manassas.”
Early voting begins Friday, September 20, 2024. Election Day is Tuesday, November 5.
On Friday, June 14, Manassas leaders hosted a delegation of Chinese officials and business leaders from the City of Quianjiang in Hubei province. The Manassas Department of Economic Development organized the visit to encourage cultural and economic exchange. This was the first such visit since officials from the City of Shaoxing visited in 2015.
Mayor Michelle Davis Younger, who did not respond to a request for comment for this story, was initially scheduled to lead the delegation but dropped out at the last minute due to a scheduling conflict. Vice Mayor Pamela Sebesky, along with Interim City Manager Doug Keen, took over the task.
