Local business owner Tom Dannan will be the Braddock District’s next representative on the Fairfax County School Board.
Endorsed by local Democrats in a caucus on Jan. 10, the 41-year-old Terra Centre resident bested GOP-supported Saundra Davis in a special election today (Tuesday), securing the seat with approximately 65% of the vote, according to unofficial results.
Dannan will succeed Rachna Sizemore Heizer, who resigned after being elected to represent Braddock District on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in December. He will serve the remainder of the term, which expires next year.
Davis, who finished with just shy of 35% of the vote, conceded the race around 9:30 p.m.
“The voters have spoken,” she said in a statement, “and while this is not the outcome we worked for, I respect the results.”
A former PTA president, Dannan was backed by most — if not all — area Democrats, including Rep. James Walkinshaw, Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay and six current members of the school board, among others.
Dannan has emphasized the need for a proactive, “future-focused” perspective throughout his campaign, advocating for the school board to be proactive in navigating developments in technology, learning and other areas.
“Our schools are at a crossroads,” Dannan said in October, when he entered the race. “We’ve made incredible progress in recent years — stronger academics, safer schools, and historic gains for teachers and staff — but attacks on public education and new challenges demand steady, forward-looking leadership.”
Dannan has also been critical of the budget process, noting that he was inspired to seek the school board seat after discussions between the school board and Board of Supervisors “broke down” last year.
“I know it’s very difficult, but there should have been much more robust discussion about and planning in advance,” he said in January. “It’s important that we work doing everything we can to keep those dollars in the classroom. I support conducting a program review to see what’s working [and] what’s not working.”
Also among Dannan’s top priorities is advancing competitive teacher pay and developing a “safe, welcoming environment” by “preventing gun violence, investing in proper security and fostering inclusion.”
Dannan will be officially sworn in at a public ceremony on March 19, according to new colleague Melanie Meren, who represents the Hunter Mill District on the board. The next meeting of the full school board is currently scheduled for March 12.
