Next year’s battle for Virginia’s 8th House District will be a rematch.
Herndon resident Max Fisher announced on Friday (Nov. 15) that he will campaign again for the seat currently held by Del. Irene Shin, who previously defeated him in 2023. That year, Democrats won every General Assembly contest on the ballot in Fairfax County, ultimately taking back control of the House of Delegates.
Fisher is the first Republican to launch a bid for the 8th District, which represents the Town of Herndon down to Route 50 in Chantilly.
In a press release, Fisher indicated that he hopes to mount a more competitive challenge in 2025 based on the lessons he learned and increased name recognition he gained from his 2023 campaign, when he secured about 30% of the vote. His platform included support for a Republican-crafted proposal to revise the state’s highway tolling system.
With the launch of his second campaign, Fisher highlights addressing inflation and the “fentanyl crisis in Herndon” as two of his top priorities, along with reducing taxes and supporting transportation infrastructure.
“I have learned what’s significant to our community. Under the current left-leaning policies, Virginians are struggling with the high cost of inflation,” he said in the press release, adding later that “we must address the drug issues plaguing our community.”
Fisher proposes eliminating Virginia’s personal property tax — also known as the “car tax” — to “ease financial stress on families.” Gov. Glenn Youngkin has advocated for scrapping the tax, which is imposed on all motor vehicles registered in the state, but during the 2024 General Assembly session, he faced opposition from Democrats, who argued that the revenue provides critical funding for local public services.
When Fairfax County reduced its car tax rate in 2023, hoping to ease the burden on taxpayers facing soaring vehicle prices, county leaders urged the state to increase the reimbursement it sends to localities to offset the lost revenue.
Fisher also expressed opposition to the possibility of a casino in Fairfax County, a proposal that state Sen. Dave Marsden is expected to revive when the General Assembly convenes in January. Though a new bill hasn’t been filed yet, Marsden has confirmed that Tysons is being eyed for the casino as part of an entertainment district that would also include a performing arts venue and hotel.
“We must ensure that the Tysons casino is defeated. It is not in the best interest of our community,” Fisher said in the press release.
On this issue, the two 8th District contenders appear to be aligned. Shin is one of several legislators representing parts of Fairfax County’s Silver Line corridor who have spoken out against the proposed casino, most recently at a community forum held in October at McLean High School.
A graduate of Marymount University in Arlington who studied politics and communications, Fisher works in the aviation industry and has been a homeowner in Herndon since 2015, according to his campaign website. He serves as secretary on the board of directors for the Worldgate Condominiums Unit Owners Association.
“We have a lot of work to do, but we have a strategy, a ground game, that will resonate with the voters in the 8th District,” Fisher said. “Our approach is commonsense, and it shows that we are better together.”
All 100 seats in the General Assembly will be on the ballot for the next general election on Nov. 4, 2025, along with the statewide governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general races.
