Three Arlington House Delegates, Adele McClure, Patrick Hope, and Alfonso Lopez, announced their re-election bids. The Democratic candidates are favored in their respective seats. The School Board election features two candidates, with the winner likely heading to the general election. The Young Republicans have also assembled new leadership as they prepare for the 2025 election cycle.
In a recent announcement, three members of Arlington’s House of Delegates, Adele McClure (D-2), Patrick Hope (D-1), and Alfonso Lopez (D-3), declared their intention to seek re-election. This decision was made public at the Arlington County Democratic Committee’s monthly meeting on March 5, following the conclusion of the 2025 legislative session.
During the event, Delegate McClure emphasized the ongoing challenges facing the community, stating, “There is still so much to do, especially now. Every person in this room knows exactly what we are up against.” Delegate Hope, who is vying for his ninth term, highlighted his experience as a key factor in his candidacy, asserting, “I’ve delivered for Arlington and I know how to get things done.” Meanwhile, Delegate Lopez focused on his role in advocating for Arlington values, expressing, “There’s nothing more rewarding than helping people. We need to create more prosperity and do it in a way where everyone wins.”
The upcoming elections present a favorable landscape for Democrats, with all three seats considered strongholds for the party. As of now, both McClure and Lopez face no intra-party competition, while Hope has drawn a challenge from Arjoon Srikanth. Candidates must submit their filings by April 3 for consideration in a primary scheduled for June 17.
In addition to the delegate races, Virginia’s Democratic party is also preparing for upcoming elections, including contests for governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general. According to Kip Malinosky, a former county Democratic chair, “We’re well-positioned to win. We need turnout, we need margin, we need to make sure we vote up and down the ballot.”
In the School Board races, only two candidates, Monique “Moe” Bryant and June Prakash, have emerged for the Democratic caucus, both of whom will compete in online and in-person voting from April 19 to May 10. The winner will advance to the general election on November 4, where the Democratic nominee is anticipated to have a strong advantage.
In related news, the Arlington-Alexandria-Falls Church Young Republicans have elected Daniel Turner as their chair for the 2025 election cycle, with a full slate of officers including vice chair Danielle Kochar, treasurer Vikram Prasad, secretary Brigette Maggio, and director of communications Katelyn Stotzky, in a bid to enhance GOP efforts moving forward. Their next meeting is scheduled for March 17.
The recent announcements made by Arlington’s delegates and the dynamics of the upcoming elections illustrate a robust political landscape for the Democratic party, which is fortified by strong incumbents and a favorable electoral backdrop. The School Board races and the Young Republicans’ leadership changes also indicate active engagement in local governance and electoral strategy. As Arlington approaches these key elections, the emphasis on turnout and candidate support will be paramount for both parties.
Original Source: www.arlnow.com
