Article Text

Braddock District voters overwhelmingly elected Burke resident Rachna Sizemore Heizer to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in the Dec. 9 special election, according to unofficial state results.

Sizemore Heizer, a Braddock District School Board member, lawyer, professor and advocate, captured 66.99% of the vote, receiving 10,611 ballots. Republican Kenneth P. “Ken” Balbuena finished with 29.91%, or 4,738 votes, while independent Carey Chet Campbell received 451 votes, or 2.85%.

The election filled the vacancy created when James Walkinshaw won a September election to the U.S. House, succeeding the late Rep. Gerry Connolly. Sizemore Heizer will complete Walkinshaw’s term on the Board of Supervisors, which runs through 2027.

Sizemore Heizer centered her campaign on affordability, quality of life and building what she described as a smart economy. Campaigning outside polling locations hours before polls closed at 7 p.m., she urged residents to vote and called affordability her top priority.

She said strengthening the local economy could reduce dependence on the federal government, ease pressure on taxpayers and help maintain strong schools and safe communities. She also pledged during the campaign to support fair wages, safer workplaces and stronger assistance for Braddock families.

Balbuena campaigned on reducing commercial vacancies to lessen the tax burden on homeowners and emphasized fiscal responsibility.

Sizemore Heizer’s move to the Board of Supervisors will leave the Braddock District seat on the Fairfax County School Board vacant. A separate special election will be scheduled to choose her successor.

The Fairfax County Electoral Board must certify the Dec. 9 results before they become official. The Board of Supervisors has tentatively scheduled Sizemore Heizer’s inauguration for Dec. 16, 2025, when she is expected to take office. The board’s first primary legislative session of the new year is scheduled for Jan. 13.