Article Text
Two Democrats have launched campaigns for a congressional district that does not yet exist, as Virginia voters prepare to decide an April 21 redistricting referendum.
State Sen. Saddam Azlan Salim and former federal prosecutor J.P. Cooney are seeking the proposed 7th Congressional District seat. Their candidacies depend on voters approving a constitutional amendment that would temporarily allow the General Assembly to adopt new congressional districts before Virginia returns to its standard redistricting process after the 2030 census.
In-person early voting continues through Saturday, April 18.
Saddam Salim enters the race
Salim, a Democrat who has represented Virginia’s 37th Senate District since 2023, announced his congressional campaign April 6. He said his priorities include housing and health care affordability, climate change, income inequality and changes to the justice system.
A first-generation Bangladeshi American, Salim came to the United States with his family in 2000 at age 10. After the family experienced eviction and homelessness, a family friend and Fairfax County’s affordable-housing program helped them secure a home. His parents worked minimum-wage jobs, and his father advanced from dishwasher to head chef.
Salim attended Falls Church High School, Northern Virginia Community College and George Mason University. He earned a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in public administration while helping his family and working as an assistant track and field coach.
He later worked as a federal contractor at the United States Institute of Peace and other agencies. He also held positions in Democratic and civic organizations and helped establish caucuses intended to elevate Asian American, Pacific Islander and Black voices.
Salim defeated a Democratic incumbent in the 2023 primary despite being outspent 15-to-1, then won the general election.
In the Virginia Senate, he has worked on legislation intended to increase housing construction and allow seniors and working families to remain near jobs and schools. He also promoted a three-bill immigration package designed to limit local law-enforcement involvement in federal immigration enforcement and increase transparency and accountability.
“My family wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for the goodness, empathy and grace of the people of Virginia,” Salim said in announcing his campaign. He connected his candidacy to the assistance his family received from local schools, housing programs and the Fairfax community.
J.P. Cooney campaigns on prosecutorial career
Cooney is a former federal prosecutor who served for nearly 18 years and became a lead prosecutor and principal deputy in Special Counsel Jack Smith’s office.
Raised in Arlington by a single mother, with support from his father in New Jersey, Cooney attended the University of Notre Dame and the University of Virginia School of Law. He began his public-service career as a law clerk to Judge Robert G. Doumar in the Eastern District of Virginia.
After briefly practicing corporate law, Cooney took what his campaign describes as a 75% pay cut to become a prosecutor.
He initially prosecuted murders and other violent crimes in the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Washington. In 2012, he transferred to the Justice Department’s Public Integrity Section, where he pursued public-corruption cases involving members of both political parties.
Cooney later returned to the U.S. Attorney’s Office to help develop its corruption and civil-rights work. His cases included the prosecution of Roger Stone. Following the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, he supervised prosecutions involving the Proud Boys, Oath Keepers, Steve Bannon and Peter Navarro.
As principal deputy to Smith, Cooney helped lead the two federal criminal cases against President Donald Trump concerning classified documents and efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.
Cooney has also been active in Arlington Babe Ruth Baseball. He played youth baseball, worked as an umpire and later served as a coach and the organization’s president.
He now operates a small law practice and lives with his wife, Maureen, and their three children in the Arlington house where he grew up. Their children attend Yorktown High School, Cooney’s alma mater.
Meridian opens rebuilt baseball field with a shutout
Meridian High School celebrated its renovated Mustang Baseball Field on March 25 before the team’s first home game of the season.
Superintendent Terry Dade, City Manager Wyatt Shields and members of the City Council and School Board attended the Athletic Boosters’ ribbon-cutting ceremony. Athletic Director Joanna Quirine cut the ribbon and thanked those who contributed to the project, while Assistant Athletic Director and Assistant Baseball Coach PJ Anderson offered thanks on behalf of the players, coaches and parents.
Vice Mayor and former School Board Chair Laura Downs threw the ceremonial first pitch. Downs chaired the School Board when construction funding was approved in fall 2023. School mascots also participated, with Mustang Sally leading a run into the outfield.
The Mustangs then inaugurated the new turf diamond with a 10-0 victory over Millbrook.
Junior Luke Greiner threw a two-hitter, recording his second complete-game shutout in two starts. Sophomore Chris Capannola scored the field’s first run on a wild pitch in the first inning and reached base in all four of his plate appearances.
Senior Andrew Niemi led Meridian with two hits. Greiner and sophomore Chris Thompson drove in two runs each, while senior Atticus Kim reached base three times. Senior Jack Mossburg stole two bases, including home on a double steal in the bottom of the sixth.
Seniors Addison Gross and Ashok Radcliff and freshman Nate Landers also recorded hits against the Pioneers.
Businesses and project participants recognized for their work included Dan Littlefield, Scott Conn and Freestate Electric; Jeff Sole, Jeff Yoos and FieldTurf; Colin Rooney and Long Fence; Mary Szwarc and Dant Clayton; Dean Mouritzen, Duncan Harker and HITT; and project managers Aneura Phillips, Tyler Grillo and Brailsford & Dunlavey.
Police warn of government impersonation scams
Falls Church police are warning residents about recurring financial scams in which callers pose as police officers, sheriff’s deputies or other government officials.
In one version, scammers spoof a legitimate government telephone number and claim that the target faces arrest over an outstanding legal matter or missed jury duty. They then demand immediate payment through gift cards, cryptocurrency, bank transfers, credit or debit cards, or cash deposited at a cryptocurrency ATM.
Police said scammers frequently threaten victims with jail to pressure them into paying. Legitimate law-enforcement agencies and government officials do not demand money or immediate payment by telephone.
Another scheme targets people with active planning or zoning matters. Fraudulent emails include publicly available permit information, application numbers and the real names of city employees but originate from nongovernmental domains such as “@usa.com.”
The messages direct recipients to pay supposedly permit-related invoices by wire transfer, peer-to-peer service or cryptocurrency. Some tell recipients to request instructions only by email, discouraging them from contacting the city’s zoning office to verify the charges.
Anyone receiving a suspicious law-enforcement call should ask for the caller’s name, badge number and agency, hang up, and independently call the Falls Church Police nonemergency line at 703-241-5053. Residents should not use a number supplied by the caller.
Police also advise residents to inspect email domains carefully, refuse requests for gift cards, cryptocurrency or other unusual payment methods, and never provide financial information to unsolicited callers. Consulting a trusted friend or relative before making a large or unfamiliar payment can provide another safeguard.
The Falls Church Police Department does not call, text or email people to collect fines or solicit money. Suspected scams and losses in the city can be reported at 703-241-5053.
April events fill the Falls Church calendar
Falls Church Forward will hold a cleanup at Howard E. Herman Park from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, April 11. Participants will meet at the park entrance nearest Timber Lane and South Oak Street, then take a nature walk and paint a rock snake for the park. Supplies will be provided, and attendees should wear clothes suitable for getting dirty.
The group’s monthly happy hour is scheduled for 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, April 16, on the outdoor patio at Ireland’s Four Provinces, 105 W. Broad St.
Virginia Dream FC will hold a fan festival at West Falls ahead of its 2026 home opener on April 12.
Meridian High School’s International Baccalaureate art show will have public opening nights April 15 and 16.
The League of Women Voters Falls Church will hold a film-festival fundraiser April 19.
Early voting approaches its final days
Virginia’s special election on redistricting will take place Tuesday, April 21.
Voters will decide whether to amend the state Constitution to permit the General Assembly to temporarily establish new congressional districts for upcoming elections, with the standard redistricting process resuming after the 2030 census.
All registered voters may cast an early ballot without providing a reason or filing an application. Early voting is available at City Hall, 300 Park Ave., through Saturday, April 18.
Weekday hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday voting on April 11 and 18 runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the polls will remain open until 7 p.m. Thursday, April 16.
Arts Day planned at Cherry Hill Farmhouse
Falls Church Arts Day will take place April 18 on the grounds of Cherry Hill Farmhouse, with April 25 reserved as the rain date.
The event will feature displayed artwork, public art installations and live music. It will coincide with the Saturday farmers market.
Artists may display their work from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Setup runs from 7 to 9 a.m. at the entrance to the farmhouse grounds, 312 Park Ave. Participation requires a nonrefundable $15 fee.
Artists must provide their own tables, easels, chairs, displays or weighted tents and umbrellas. Direct sales without commission are allowed, and participants must offer an online payment option. Display locations will be assigned on a first-come basis after payment.
Parking will be available along Park Avenue, at the Community Center and City Hall campus, and in the Kaiser Permanente garage.
Home for Life Expo brings experts to Fairfax
The free Home for Life Expo will feature 30 exhibitors and four presentations from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 10 at the Sherwood Center, 3740 Blenheim Blvd. in Fairfax.
Matthew Quinn of Quinn’s Auction Galleries will present “What’s Hot? What’s Not?” at 11 a.m. Physical therapist Kristin Dunn will discuss pelvic-floor health and aging at 11:45 a.m.
Derick Malis will present information about the Lifetime Learning Institute at 12:30 p.m. Joanne McCarty of Independent You will close the program with “Aging with Dignity and Independence” at 1:15 p.m.
More Earth Day activities announced
The Providence District will hold an Earth Day celebration April 18.
Idylwood Studios will host a free Earth Day pop-up from 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 22, at 7617 Idylwood Road in Falls Church. The event will bring together artisans, vendors and community organizations focused on reuse, recycling and sustainability.
Berryfine Goods will highlight waste diversion and reuse, while Jenny Newberry Art will show work made from discarded materials. Fillagreen will offer information about refillable health, beauty and household products, and Future Acres Farm will discuss composting practices.
Luci’s Mobile Library, a Springfield nonprofit, will provide gently used books to children. Mend a Hand will demonstrate ways to repair and repurpose possessions rather than replace them.
Paloma Vintage Designs will display accessories and décor made from vintage and reclaimed costume jewelry, and Rokatree will feature textile art. Scout troops and community groups are expected to attend, and hands-on demonstrations are planned.