There is a bellwether election coming up in Fairfax County, Virginia. The largest Virginia school district by enrollment with an election in 2017, is Fairfax County Public Schools, Virginia.
In fact, voting for which is already underway:
It is a Special Election, and early voting is happening now:
You can vote early for the August 29th Special Election where we’re supporting Karen Keys-Gamarra for School Board. It’s easy to qualify! If you’ll be outside of Fairfax County for any part of the day on August 29, or unable to get to the polls for one of the 19 other reasons, then you can cast your ballot:
- In-Person at the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Pkwy July 14 – August 26
Dates & times: Monday thru Friday: 8:00 am – 4:30 pm; Thursdays extended to 7:00 pm; and Saturday August 26 from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
- By Mail – request your mail-in absentee ballot at fairfaxdemocrats.org/keys (or download & print the absentee ballot Application here)
On the election day August 29, your regular polling place will be open from 6:00am to 7:00pm.
It is an election for the Fairfax County School Board [FCSB].
A candidate that I have been admiring from afar, is running for the Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) School Board At-Large Seat
The Republicans call it the “Scalia Seat” — likely because a Republican in this seat will shift the board to a more conservative outlook; and, also likely, because of the political games that were played to open it up for a Special Election.
The previous board member is moving away. Hence, the Republicans got her to resign early, so that they could force this Special Election in August, to elect the next FCSB member. As opposed to electing the new FCSB member in November, when Virginians will turn out to vote (in a statewide election) for the next governor, and other state officials.
Republicans want to limit the interest and voter turnout for this one to get their candidate elected.
Additionally, Republicans evidently enjoy spending extra taxpayer money — $250,000 — to hold this Special Election. When more people vote, the Democratic candidate usually wins. Republicans know this. Hence, all the shenanigans and games to ensure a late August election day.
Here is an observation by the Mount Vernon Gazette:
Could there be a worse time to hold a special election? August is a time when people do anything they can to get out of the region, which transforms into a swampy sauna in late summer. Nevertheless, election officials are preparing for an Aug. 29 special election to fill the at-large seat vacated by School Board member Jeanette Hough in May. If Hough had waited just a few more days to resign, voters would have been able to vote in the general election this November. But the timing of Hough’s resignation will prompt a late summer special election, a phenomenon experts say helps Republicans.
“Oftentimes a lower turnout election is going to feature a wealthier and whiter electorate,” said Geoff Skelley at the University of Virginia Center for Politics. “But if the political energy of the moment is particularly high, which I would say it is right now, it could potentially go a different way.”
Well, the energy has been high!
The candidate I’m writing about is Karen Keys-Gamarra, a Fairfax County attorney, in practice, who has also represented children in difficult situations. She has been endorsed by the Fairfax County Democrats, the Fairfax Educational Association, the Fairfax County Federation of Teachers, and she has also been endorsed by former Democratic Lt. Governor candidate Susan Plat, Democratic Lt. Governor nominee Justin Fairfax, and many Fairfax County Supervisors.
An incumbent member of this school board is one — Elizabeth Schultz. I’m not sure she is a conservative. I’d categorize her as a tea party candidate. Here are some of her tweeted views:
Think of that — a school board member who says that Trump’s history of grabbing and groping “don't matter.”
What she is further referencing there is a story out of Norway, about Norway’s policies, which has a total of nothing to do with Fairfax County Public Schools or their school board.
Above, is Elizabeth Schultz’s tweet about Norwegian 10 year olds, even as she has stated that Trump’s propensity to grab and grope “don’t matter” —
Schultz sent a tweet on Oct. 8 that began “Why #TrumpTapes don’t matter,” referencing a video recording that captured the Republican nominee talking about groping and kissing women. She followed it with “#SCOTUS” a reference to the U.S. Supreme Court, and linked an Associated Press story about how transgender children can legally change their names through an online form in Norway, summarizing the article by saying “when 10-yo legally changing their gender online w/no therapy is ‘progress.'” LINK
Look at the hypocrisy. Does Ms. Elizabeth Schultz think that Donald Trump deserves more protection and support than many children who happen to be transgender?
And likely at this point you’re wondering what that’s all about — right?
It’s about this:
The Virginia Supreme Court threw out a lawsuit filed against a Fairfax County Public Schools nondiscrimination policy in a unanimous decision on April 13, 2017. The policy was approved by the school board in May 2015 and extended the district's nondiscrimination policy to include sexual orientation and gender identity. The lawsuit was filed by Andrea Lafferty, president of the Traditional Values Coalition and Women for a Great America, as well as an anonymous student and his parents.
And also, another gem from her twitter feed —
Lets look at that tweet and look at that WaPo article again for an explanation:
She said she is, in fact, buying ammunition in case Hillary Clinton wins the presidency because she fears the Democrat will restrict her gun rights.
A Tea Party conspiracy theorist! With quite the track of antics on Twitter.
Seriously, this article is so worth reading.
Indeed.
Let’s look at candidate Karen Keys Gamarra:
- “An Attorney who currently handles family matters and works as a court-appointed Guardian ad litem in Northern Virginia representing the best interests of children… a child advocate with extensive knowledge of local issues as she often collaborates with various state and local agencies to improve the lives of children and families.”
- “[B]road experience in the Fairfax community where she serves as a Fairfax County Planning Commissioner and volunteers for such organizations as the NAACP and CASA.”
- “[A]n Advisory Board member for a domestic violence non-profit organization and has previously been appointed to the School Board Budget Task Force and currently serves the Schools Committee for the Planning Commission.”
- She has previous experience running for public office: in 2015, she lost by a tiny margin (10,243-10,046) for School Board from Sully District, one of the most Republican-leaning districts in Fairfax County. Note that in 2015, Democratic at-large candidates for School Board had a lot of trouble in Sully District, so the fact that Keys-Gamarra almost won there in 2015 should be seen as a plus, certainly not a minus. When it comes to the at-large seat, I’d argue that Keys-Gamarra has a cross-county coalition given that she lives in and has run in western Fairfax, while working with at-risk kids on Route 1 in eastern Fairfax. Great combo.
- She’s a strong progressive who has been involved as a Democrat, and didn’t just join the committee to run for office. LINK
In other words, she has actual experience with schools, children’s issues, and education, unlike her opponent.
Really, Karen Keys-Gamarra is very much the kind of school board member everyone would want. She will work to ensure that the Fairfax County teachers get the resources they need. Also:
1) Protect after-school programs from Donald Trump and Betsy DeVos, who want to cut all federal funds to these programs in our schools.
2) Fully fund Fairfax schools so our teachers get the resources they need to give our kids a great education.
3) Enact policies to reduce bullying, so our kids have a safe learning environment.
4) Decrease class sizes so our students receive the attention they need to learn and teachers are better able to support all kids in the classroom.
Please, do consider donating.
Here’s the candidate herself, making an excellent case for herself!
Here’s SemDem's excellent diary about Ms. Keys-Gamarra.
Here’s Aleurophile excellent diary about Candidate Karen Keys-Gamarra.
Go HERE to find your polling place on August 29th.
The next election is the School Board Special Election of August 29th, 2017.
Polls open 6 am – 7 pm (you cannot be turned away if you are in line by 7 pm).
Please be sure to confirm your correct polling place on your voter registration.
ADDENDUM:
This would be an great time for Governor Terry McAuliffe to visit the area, with this election in mind.
He‘s the top democrat in the State of Virginia, and he may even be contemplating running for a higher office someday. What an excellent way of furthering and enhancing the chances of a win for a blue team member. What a perfect opportunity for him, to swing in some free media in friendly territory. Politicians at his level travel with their own political eco system; such as the presence of print media and local teevee, local elected officials, and local committee activists.
There are still two good weekends left before this election. A visit by Governor McAuliffe is probably worth thousands of votes and free media for all candidates running in the area.
The same logic applies for Ralph Northam, Justin Fairfax, Gerry Connolly, Don Beyer, Bobby Scott and Don McEachin, Tim Kaine and Mark Warner. As well as the nine (9 !!) announced candidates for the 10th U.S Congressional District.
You know, that’s Barbara Comstock’s district.
It should be a freaking travelling party!
Everybody should come and make hay for the next 23 days.
A win here benefits everybody