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Fairfax City Council

Vote for
6
Term
2 years
Candidates
11
Election
Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: The six-member city council, elected at large, sets the City of Fairfax's budget, tax rates and ordinances and appoints the city manager.

CandidatesCompare by issue

Taxes & budget

  • Sandi W. Slappey BrownNo party listed

    • Supports more commercial activity to ease real estate taxes.
    • Supports Parks Foundation fundraising for park infrastructure.

  • Kelly M. O'BrienNo party listed

    • Pledges to review spending before raising taxes or cutting services.

  • Russell A. JonesNo party listed

    • Pledges budget transparency and lower property taxes.
    • Supports cutting frivolous spending and staying within budget.

  • Stephen S. KimNo party listed

    No documented position found.

  • Susan Hartley KuilerNo party listed

    • Supports efficient budgeting and long-term financial planning.

  • María José PadmoreNo party listed

    No documented position found.

  • Steve S ChangNo party listed

    • Pledges greater fiscal discipline and budget transparency.
    • Supports seeking efficiencies before raising taxes or fees.

  • Jessica L. LoughNo party listed

    • Proposes a 10-year city plan with accountability metrics.
    • Supports growing the commercial tax base to ease homeowner taxes.

  • Stacy R. HallNo party listed

    • Voted against raising the meals tax to 4.5%.

  • Rachel M McQuillenNo party listed

    • Voted against raising the meals tax.

  • Anthony T. AmosNo party listed

    • Voted to raise the meals tax from 4% to 4.5%.

Public safety

Education

Housing

  • Sandi W. Slappey BrownNo party listed

    • Supports clearer expectations and a faster development review process.
    • Supports market-rate, attainable and affordable housing options.
    • Supports the city's detached accessory dwelling unit ordinance.

  • Kelly M. O'BrienNo party listed

    • Supports aligning zoning with the city's adopted Small Area Plans.
    • Supports implementing the city's Affordable Housing Strategic Plan.
    • Supports allowing ADUs, townhomes and apartments in suitable locations.

  • Russell A. JonesNo party listed

    • Supports a cautious approach to new development.

  • Stephen S. KimNo party listed

    No documented position found.

  • Susan Hartley KuilerNo party listed

    • Proposes town halls on the pace and scale of growth.

  • María José PadmoreNo party listed

    No documented position found.

  • Steve S ChangNo party listed

    • Opposes projects conflicting with the Comprehensive Plan or overwhelming roads.
    • Opposes approving projects solely to add housing or tax base.

  • Jessica L. LoughNo party listed

    • Supports middle-income housing and small businesses.

  • Stacy R. HallNo party listed

    • Opposed by-right detached ADUs, favoring special use permits.

  • Rachel M McQuillenNo party listed

    • Opposed the Davies development over scale and design.
    • Supports down-payment assistance and workforce housing.
    • Voted against by-right detached accessory dwelling units.

  • Anthony T. AmosNo party listed

    • Supports dedicated revenue for the city's housing trust fund.
    • Supports case-by-case review of development proposals.
    • Voted for by-right detached accessory dwelling units.

Economy & jobs

Roads & infrastructure

Environment & parks

Health & human services

Government & transparency

Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 9 issues covered in this race.