Two additional candidates are interested in running for the Mount Vernon district supervisor seat as a result of Supervisor Gerry Hyland’s retirement announcement. This brings the total of announced candidates, all from the Democratic party, to four. Earlier, community activist Jack Dobbyn and School Board member Daniel Storck announced for intent.
The two latest announced Democratic candidates are Tim Sargeant and Candice Bennett.
Tim Sargeant, manager, state and local affairs for Dominion Virginia Power, is currently a Board of Supervisors appointee as an at-large member of the Fairfax County Planning Commission.
“For more than 20 years I have devoted myself to providing community leadership to the Mount Vernon District and Fairfax County. Now I want to continue my service as the next Mount Vernon district supervisor. I am ready and eager to take on the challenges that face our district,” Sargeant said. “I believe that economic development and revitalization, with an expanded emphasis on transit and environmental awareness, go hand in hand with increase support for schools and a better quality of life for all Mount Vernon residents.”
Sargeant was appointed to three consecutive terms on the Planning Commission. In that capacity he was appointed co-chair of the county task force to redevelop the former D.C. prison. As a result he had a major role in redeveloping the Laurel Hill community, and provided three sites for new schools, and set aside approximately 1200 acres of park and recreation lands. Recently, he voted to oppose the expansion of the construction debris landfill in south county. In 2014 he received the northern Virginia leadership award from Leadership Fairfax. He and his wife Nancy have lived in the Mount Vernon community for 20 years, raising two children who attended Fairfax County public schools. His work with Dominion Virginia Power is as a community relations advocate focusing on customer service.
Visit www.timsargeant.com.
Bennett is a small business owner of Candice Bennett, Inc., a marketing research company. She is married to William Hewitt, a former U.S. Army veteran who served in Iraq. Bennett has lived in Lorton for the past seven years. Prior to that she lived in Kingtowne and Huntington. She earned a bachelor’s degree, summa cum laude, and a master’s degree in security policy from George Washington University. She also completed specialized training in leadership and the Tuck Executive education program at Dartmouth College.
“I am running for Mount Vernon district supervisor because I am passionate about improving our community. Over the past several years I have served in a business and volunteer capacity and I believe now is the time to take the next step to really make a difference for our district,” Bennett said.
She has owned and operated her own marketing research firm for 10 years, and assisted clients in the fields of consumer electronics, financial services, academia, hospitality, etc. Prior to starting her own firm she was a Democratic pollster with the firm of Penn, Schoen, and Berland; among her clients there, she worked for the Democratic National Committee, and Tim Kaine for Lt. Governor. Her volunteer involvement in Northern Virginia included raising money for the Junior League of Northern Virginia, the Women’s President’s Educational organization, and Leadership Fairfax. She also serves on the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History national committee.
“As supervisor my priorities would include education, affordable housing, especially for seniors; ensuring the Lorton landfill fulfills its promise to open a 250-acre park; economic development; jobs, and transportation.”
Visit www.electCandiceBennett.com.
According to party spokesman Bruce Neilson, former chair of the Mount Vernon Democratic Committee, Mark Cannady is still considering whether to run for supervisor.
As for the two open state legislative seats, the 44th delegate seat, and the 36th State Senate seat, they are both open because Senate incumbent Linda T. Puller recently announced her retirement plans, and the 44th District incumbent, Scott Surovell announced that he would vacate his delegate seat to run for Puller’s seat.
Christian Relief Services attorney and community activist Paul Krizek announced that he would run for the Democratic nomination for the 44th Delegate seat being vacated by Surovell.
Republican candidate Jerry Foreman, Mayor of Dumfries, announced he is seeking the Republican nomination for the State Senate seat. No other candidates haves announced for the 36th Senate seat.
No Republican or independent candidate has announced for either the open delegate seat or the open Mount Vernon district supervisor seat.