Fairfax County’s top Republican policymaker is entering the race for lieutenant governor.
Pat Herrity, who has represented the Springfield District on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors for more than 15 years, formally announced his candidacy for the office this morning (Friday).
“Republicans can win in November, but we need someone who can deliver votes in Northern Virginia,” Herrity said. “I’ve won here before, and I will do it again for the ticket.”
As the last elected Republican in Fairfax County, I’ve seen first-hand what happens when liberal politicians take control.
That’s why I’m announcing my campaign for Lieutenant Governor. In 2025, we must keep the Commonwealth on track with commonsense, conservative leadership. pic.twitter.com/ZaIY4dDduh
— Pat Herrity (@PatHerrityVA) January 3, 2025
Working to lower taxes, primarily through a repeal of the car tax and an end to taxes on tips, is among the initiatives Herrity would work toward as lieutenant governor, according to the announcement.
Herrity, who represents West Springfield, Clifton, Fair Oaks and parts of Fairfax and Burke, says he would also prioritize a focus on schools, “not on administrative burdens and political agendas.”
He would also work to cut state funding for localities that limit cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement — a move proposed by current Gov. Glenn Youngkin that would affect Fairfax County.
In his announcement video, the 64-year-old Herrity paints himself as a “common sense candidate,” arguing that’s a quality that the Democratic-heavy county board lacks.
Herrity confirmed to FFXnow in November that he was mulling a bid for lieutenant governor, who presides over the state Senate and is first in line to succeed the governor if needed.
“I think what the people of Virginia want are commonsense solutions to their everyday problems, and that’s what I focus on in Fairfax,” Herrity said last year. “It’s why I’ve been reelected in Fairfax. It’s why I’ve been successful in Fairfax, and I intend to take commonsense solutions to people’s everyday problems.”
First elected in 2007, Herrity has been the lone Republican member of the county board since former Braddock District Supervisor John Cook retired at the end of 2019. He has won reelection four times, most recently in 2023.
He has championed a variety of causes since joining the board, including increasing funding for law enforcement, addressing “panhandling” and investing in sports tourism.
“I’m the liberal board’s worst nightmare,” Herrity said in the video. “Not only am I their worst nightmare, I get things done.”
Herrity becomes the second Republican to declare his candidacy for Virginia’s second-highest office following John Curran, a Williamsburg-based business consultant. Both will battle to replace incumbent Winsome Earle-Sears, who is running for Governor.
On the Democratic side, five candidates have stepped into the race: state Sen. Ghazala Hashmi (15th District), Prince William County School Board chair Babur Lateef, state Sen. Aaron Rouse (22nd District), former federal prosecutor Victor Salgado and Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney.
A full news release announcing Herrity’s campaign is below:
Today, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors member Pat Herrity, of the Springfield District, announced his campaign for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia in 2025.
Against a backdrop of Glenn Youngkin’s leadership in Richmond, Pat called for a continuation of the conservative legacy established by Governor Youngkin, Lieutenant Governor Sears, and Attorney General Miyares.
“In 2021, we put Virginia on the right track by electing Governor Youngkin. In 2025, it is crucial that we continue that path by electing Winsome Sears to the Governor’s mansion, re-electing Jason Miyares as our Attorney General, and electing a strong leader to be the next Lieutenant Governor,” Pat said.
“In Richmond, I will continue to bring about the commonsense, conservative solutions that best serve our communities and our Commonwealth. I will work to lower taxes, support law enforcement, and advocate for our children. I’ll focus education resources on students and quality teachers – not on political agendas. I’ll stand up to the progressive prosecutors releasing repeat violent offenders into our neighborhoods, and I’ll penalize localities that refuse to cooperate with ICE to keep our communities safe.”
Pat Herrity currently serves on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and is the last elected Republican in the county. In 2023, Pat won re-election with 54% of the vote, in a district where Governor Youngkin received just 38%. He attributes his success to being a strong balancing voice on the Board, getting things done and delivering commonsense, conservative solutions to the voters who elected him.
