Puller Pulls Out Victory in Southern Fairfax County Senate District

Rose Hill voters re-elected several candidates Tuesday, including Sen. Toddy Puller and Fairfax County School Board member Dan Storck.

Senate

The Virginia Senate was split evenly, with 20 Democrats and 20 Republicans, by the end of the night.  Any tie votes would be broken by the Republican lieutenant governor. But one senate election in central Virginia may be headed for a recount, as fewer than 100 votes separated Republican Bryce E. Reeves and Democrat Edward "Edd" Houck in the 17th Senate district.

In one of the most-watched races in southern Fairfax County, Republican challenged Democrat incumbent in the 36th district, which covers part of Fairfax and Prince William counties.

Ultimately, Puller pulled out a win with about 55 percent of the votes. In Fairfax County, Puller's support was stronger—about two-thirds of voters chose her over Frederick. But Frederick's supporters turned out in Prince William County, where Frederick and Puller were just about even, and in Stafford County, where Frederick won.

Whereas Puller pushed for funding for a major Rte. 1 corridor study, Frederick “thinks it is time to stop studying and get on with it,” according to his campaign website.

Puller served in the House of Delegates from 1991 to 1999 and in the State Senate from 2000 to now. Frederick served in the House of Delegates for three terms from 2003 to 2009, when he became chair of the Republican Party of Virginia.

"I'm glad it ended on a really happy note, and I thank all of you for making it possible," Puller told supporters at the Fairfax Democratic Party gathering in Fairfax.

Fairfax County Public Schools Board

In one of the most watched Fairfax County races this season, Ilryong Moon, Ryan McElveen and Ted Velkoff walked away with victories in the at-large school board race.

It was the "most intense" Fairfax County School Board race in years, and also among the largest. Seven candidates sought the board's three at-large seats, two of them vacated by incumbents who chose not to seek re-election.

Voters also approved a .

Mount Vernon District

Current Mount Vernon district school board representative defeated a strong challenge from .

Nellenbach is the Stratford Landing PTA President and was an early and active advocate for full-day kindergarten at all Fairfax County schools. Nellenbach is especially focused on ensuring the school board is listening more to parents, which she said didn’t happen enough with issues surrounding disciplinary procedures.

Nellenbach’s campaign promises included “increasing accountability to parents and students, restoring Honors classes to our schools, reducing class sizes, focusing FCPS on the needs of Mt. Vernon District schools and eliminating wasteful spending,” according to her candidacy website.

Storck has served on the Fairfax County Public Schools board since 2004. His goals include bringing back a full-day Monday at all schools. The next few years may bring some boundary realignment around South County Secondary School, as well as for West Potomac, Hayfield and Mount Vernon. He was a key player in getting the middle school at South County built.

"I think the grades for Mount Vernon voters are in. I'm pleased with the marks they've given me. I look forward to being at the top of the class," he said.

Springfield District

In the Springfield District, Elizabeth L. Schultz won, defeating John F. Wittman. Schultz received 58.8 percent of the votes. She was an outspoken advocate for the now-closed Clifton School, and she has children in pre-school, elementary, middle and high school.

Wittman served as chair of Fairfax County Public School’s business and community action committee for two and a half years.  He has also spent the last five years on the career and technical advisory committee. schultz: Burke Patch just reported in from the Republican party, where she talked to Elizabeth Schultz. "I am really tired, but also very emotional for all the races I've worked on throughout the campaign. ... I've been trying to change the culture from the beginning of the campaign all the way through. The environment is right. Taxpayers want change."

Lee District

Tamara J. Derenak Kaufax ran unopposed for the Lee District seat. Kaufax has served on the county Child Care Advisory Council since 2001 and the Lee District Budget Advisory Council for the past two years. This is her first term in office with the Fairfax County Public Schools board.

Board of Supervisors Races

In the Board of Supervisors chairperson’s race, incumbent Democrat Sharon Bulova retained her seat, defeating Republican Michael “Spike” Williams, Independent candidate Will Radle and Independent candidate Christopher DeCarlo.

In reference to both her own race and that of other Board of Supervisors candidates, Bulova said Tuesday night: “I’m very pleased with the results.”
Bulova received 59.40 percent of the votes; Williams received 35.59 percent; DeCarlo received 3.40 and Radle received 1.53 percent.

Michael "Spike" Williams thanked his wife and supporters as he acknowledged his loss to Sharon Bulova at the Fairfax GOP party in Falls Church.

Last time DeCarlo ran he only received 1 percent of the vote, and he told Patch he attributes his new success to his rap campaign video. "I'll run every year," DeCarlo said, hinting that he might run for Congress in 2012.

Incumbent Lee District Supervisor Jeff McKay ran unopposed.

McKay has served on the Board of Supervisors since 2008, though his service in Lee District has been much longer. McKay was the chief of staff to Lee District Supervisor Dana Kauffman from 1996 to 2007.

House of Delegates

Incumbent Democrat Mark Sickles ran unopposed for the 43rd district seat.

Sickles was elected to the House of Delegates in 2003, when he defeated Republican incumbent Thomas Bolvin.

In 2011, Sickles introduced legislation focusing on the rights of homeowners and on healthcare. He also introduced legislation that would have created a tax credit for residents who purchase plug-in electric vehicles.

Sheriff's Race

Current Fairfax County Sheriff Stan Barry, a Democrat, prevailed in a race against Republican Bill A. Cooper III. In the Fairfax County sheriff’s race, Republican William Cooper challenged current Sheriff Stan Barry in a race that was fairly close throughout the evening. Barry won with 54.4, crediting his experience for the win.

"Honestly, I think I had a long record that people could look at," Barry said. Cooper is a former deputy sheriff lieutenant.  Barry has been Fairfax County Sheriff for 12 years, though there was a bit of controversy over Barry's participation in the DROP program.Barry said the DROP attacks hurt his opponent, because people in Fairfax want a positive campaign."All of that stuff was just very negative."

Commonwealth's Attorney

Current Commonwealth’s Attorney Raymond Morrogh, a Democrat, ran unopposed. Morrogh has been CA since 2007.

Soil and Water Conservation

Five candidates ran for three open positions for Fairfax County Soil and Water Conservation director in the Northern Virginia District. The agency's goal, according to its web site, "is to promote clean streams and protected natural resources."  It is not a regulatory agency, but provides technical expertise in soils, conservation engineering, water quality and erosion control.

Winners were Johna Good Gagnon, George W. Lamb and John W. Peterson.