Braddock District voters will soon select their next representative on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.
Early voting in the race begins tomorrow (Friday), giving residents more than six weeks to cast their ballots before the special election on Dec. 9.
Where and how to vote
Initially, the Fairfax County Government Center (12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 323) will be the only available early voting location. Its opening hours will be:
- Monday through Friday: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Saturdays (Oct. 25, Nov. 1, Nov. 29 and Dec. 6): 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Sunday, Oct. 26: 1-5 p.m.
- Closed Nov. 11 (Veterans Day) and on Nov. 27-28 (Thanksgiving)
Braddock District voters will be able to cast a ballot in person at the government center on Nov. 4 — when early voting for the supervisor contest will coincide with Election Day for Virginia’s high-stakes statewide races. In-person early voting in those races, which will determine the state’s new governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and General Assembly, expanded today (Thursday) to another 13 locations.
Early voting for Braddock District supervisor will then expand to Burke Centre Library (5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke) on Nov. 29:
- Monday through Friday: 1-7 p.m.
- Saturdays (Nov. 29 and Dec. 6): 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
In-person early voting at both locations will conclude on Dec. 6.
Voters can apply online, by mail or in person for a mail ballot until Dec. 1 at 5 p.m., which is also the deadline to register for in-person voting. The Fairfax County Office of Elections sends out mail ballots within three business days of receiving an application.
Mail ballots can be returned by mail, in person at the elections office (Suite 323 in the Fairfax County Government Center) and via the ballot drop boxes present at all early voting sites and polling places. Ballots returned by mail must be delivered to the elections office by noon on the Friday following the election to be counted.
On the day of the special election, Braddock District voters are required to cast their ballots at their regularly assigned precinct. As in past elections, voters must show an accepted form of identification, such as a driver’s license or a utility bill with their name and address, or sign an ID confirmation statement.
The winner of the three-person race will serve the remainder of the term vacated by James Walkinshaw, who was elected to Congress earlier this year. The current term expires at the end of 2027.
Who are the candidates?
The pool of candidates vying for Walkinshaw’s former seat includes a veteran school board member, a former civic association president and a local union leader.
Rachna Sizemore Heizer, the Democratic nominee, appears to be the frontrunner in the race based on the support given to Walkinshaw in the previous two elections. The Congressman has also endorsed Sizemore Heizer, saying she would make a “fantastic member” of the board.
A Burke resident, Sizemore Heizer has served on the Fairfax County School Board since 2019. She has represented the Braddock District on the board since 2023.
Her priorities include improving affordability and quality of life for residents, plus preserving the environment, according to her campaign website.
The Republican candidate in the race is Ken Balbuena, who is closely aligned with John Cook — the last Republican to represent the district on the Board of Supervisors.
Balbuena, of North Springfield, has served in a variety of service roles since moving to Northern Virginia in 2003. His resume includes a stint on the county’s
Balbuena dubbed his approach “People before Politics,” boasting a platform that focuses on less controversial, non-partisan issues. Among his priorities is addressing the commercial vacancy tax as a means to “reduce the burden” on residential taxpayers, according to his website.
Carey Chet Campbell, who is the only independent candidate in the race, is a 45-year federal service veteran with a background in accounting.
A North Springfield resident, he also serves as executive vice president of a local branch of the AFL-CIO.
Campbell has now sought the Braddock District seat five times, dating back to his first candidacy in 2007. He received just shy of 20% of the vote against Walkinshaw in 2023 — a two-man race.
