Sully supervisor contest illustrates ‘the man in the arena’

By Lynn R. Mitchell

The campaign for the Republican nomination for Sully District supervisor in Fairfax County was held Saturday, resulting in a low turnout that saw the winner garner 478 votes. Congratulations to John Guerava who now moves on to the general election against Democratic candidate Kathy Smith.

Thank you to Brian Schoeneman and John Litzenberger and all candidates who step into the arena. For those who do not make it, remember that you play an important part in the political process. We appreciate your service. You are the man in the arena….

Brian Schoeneman leads Sully candidates in fundraising quarter

By Lynn R. Mitchell

This week’s release of campaign finance reports confirmed that Fairfax County Sully District Republican candidate Brian Schoeneman was the top fundraiser during the quarter that ended March 31 (see Schoeneman ends fundraising quarter with 85% from small donors).

The Schoeneman campaign actually released its numbers on April 1 but results from the other two Republican candidates were unknown until this week when reports showed Brian led not only his fellow Republican candidates but also the Democratic candidate (see Schoeneman leads money race in Republican contest for Fairfax seat):

Whites need not apply

By Tito A. Munoz
Guest Post

Whites need not apply. Ludicrous? Yes, but it’s the message John Whitbeck, Chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia, gave to prospective candidates seeking his support for nomination in Republican contests in Northern Virginia. He chose to support a Hispanic over two white candidates vying for the Sully District Supervisor position in an upcoming Fairfax County firehouse primary with this explanation: “I do think the Republican Party is not doing minority engagement to the fullest extent possible if it’s not eventually nominating candidates that don’t look like me, a white male” (see As Fairfax grows more diverse, candidates for office mostly don’t).

Whitbeck said he gave his support as an individual and not as Chairman. He stated this when criticized for offering support during a primary, but his de facto endorsement would mean nothing without his title. Without the title of Chairman, the “support” might as well come from John Doe and it is likely Whitbeck realizes this. If not, he should.

Who’s best for Republican outreach, Guevara or Schoeneman, in the Sully District?

By Daniel P. Cortez

John Whitbeck, the newly elected head of the RPV, has made an unprecedented move “endorsing” and that’s what it is regardless of the language used in his recent statement of support for John Guevara for Supervisor of the Sully District in Fairfax County.

In this, the first genuine move by Whitbeck towards outreach to the minority community for conservatives, he states, “Growing the Republican Party is essential to our winning elections in Northern Virginia.  John Guevara is exactly the kind of Republican we need to accomplish just that. His military and private sector experience in project management makes him uniquely qualified to serve on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.”

Brian Schoeneman endorsed by Steve Hunt

Brian Schoeneman

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Brian Schoeneman, running for the Republican nomination for Sully District supervisor in Fairfax County, received the endorsement of Steve Hunt, Fairfax County Electoral Board Chairman, former State Senate candidate, and former At-Large School Board Member.

Brian noted that “there are few people in Fairfax politics who know me better than Steve — we spent two years in the trenches on the Electoral Board together.”

Brian Schoeneman to run for Fairfax County supervisor

By Lynn R. Mitchell

With the announcement that long-time Fairfax County Supervisor Michael Frey (R-Sully) will be retiring comes the announcement that Brian Schoeneman, 37, who currently serves as secretary of the Fairfax County Electoral Board, will be running for the Sully District seat.

In a press release on Tuesday, Schoeneman noted: