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Past Elections

Democrats Fared Generally Well in Our 2023 Elections 

The outcome of the 2023 General Election was largely positive for Democrats, both locally and across Virginia: All four Democratic incumbents running in Manassas and Manassas Park were re-elected, while Democrats statewide captured both the Virginia House of Delegates and the Virginia Senate, albeit only with the narrowest of one-seat majorities.

In neighboring Prince William County, Democrats won all three state senate seats, six of seven state delegate seats (former Manassas Councilman Ian Lovejoy, who has moved to Bristow, will be the only local GOP delegate, representing HD-22) , and retained their 5-3 majority on the Board of County Supervisors.

Delegate Danica Roem (currently representing HD-13, which includes Manassas Park) defeated her Republican opponent, former police detective Bill Woolf, for the new Senate District 30 seat with 51.76% of the overall vote and a margin of 2259 votes. Danica captured 54.80% of the votes in the City of Manassas, 60.48% of the votes in Manassas Park, and 50.50% of the votes in her 30 Prince William County precincts (a margin of only 591 votes, after winning 18 precincts). District-wide, Danica actually lost the Election Day vote by 593 votes, but she won the in-person Early Votes by 190 votes, Provisional Ballots by 107 votes, and the Mailed Absentee ballots by a decisive 2555 votes (67%-33%)!

Similarly, Delegate Michelle Maldonado (currently representing HD-50, which includes the City of Manassas) defeated her Republican challenger, Sharon Ashurst, for the new House District 20 seat with 56.60% of the overall vote. Michelle captured 56.13% of the votes in the City of Manassas, 61.86% of the votes in Manassas Park, and 53.67% of the votes in her five Prince William County precincts. While Michelle won the total vote in every precinct and also won the Election Day vote district-wide, she actually lost the Election Day vote in the Round, Metz, Haydon, and Parkside Precincts by a total of 116 votes. However, Michelle won the Mailed Absentee ballots decisively by 1038 votes (72%-28%).

Clerk of the Court Jacqueline Smith, a Democratic incumbent without a Republican challenger, defeated independent candidate Hina Ansari with 79.08% of the vote. In doing so, Jackie captured 78.35% of the votes in the City of Manassas, 72.89% of the votes in Manassas Park, and 79.23 % of the votes in Prince William County.

Commonwealth’s Attorney Amy Ashworth, another Democratic incumbent, defeated her Republican challenger, Matt Lowery, with 53.62% of the overall vote. Amy captured 53.33% of the City of Manassas votes, 57.90% of the Manassas Park votes, and 53.53% of the Prince William County votes. Amy narrowly lost the overall vote in the Round precinct by 9 votes but won the overall vote in every other precinct in the Cities of Manassas and Manassas Park.

Regrettably, Democrat Josh King lost his second attempt in four years to unseat our long-time Republican Sheriff, Glen Hill, 46.47% to 53.20%. Similar to the their previous match-up in 2019, Josh under performed in the City of Manassas with only 40.27% of the votes and also in Manassas Park with only 44.08% of the votes, compared to Prince William County with 47.03% of the votes. In our two cities combined, Josh received 2245 fewer votes than Michelle Maldonado did, showing that many of our voters split their ticket between the two major political parties.

As a result of redistricting in December 2021, the election ballots for the Cities of Manassas and Manassas Park were nearly identical for the first time in many years. The only significant difference was that the Manassas Park ballot included a special voter referendum on “pari-mutuel wagering”. Manassas Park voters soundly defeated that referendum, 58.82% to 41.18%.

The importance of motivating Democratic voters to turn out in our “off-off-year” elections and of chasing mailed absentee ballots are both evident from these election results. According to the Virginia Department of Elections, the turnout of registered voters was only 40.89% in the City of Manassas, 36.33% in Manassas Park, and 43.27% in Prince William County (which additionally held elections for all County supervisor and school board seats).

Visit the Virginia Department of Elections website to view the complete 2023 General Election results for the City of Manassas, for the City of Manassas Park, for Prince William County, and for every locality and contest within Virginia.


Support Our Democratic Nominees for Manassas & Manassas Park in the November 7, 2023 General Election

Our Democratic sample ballot for the City of Manassas

Our Democratic sample ballot for the City of Manassas Park

Danica Roem for State Senate (SD-30). Virginia state Delegate Danica Roem (D-13th) is a lifelong resident of the Manassas part of Prince William County and the Democratic nominee for the 30th District of the Virginia state Senate, which includes western Prince William County and the Cities of Manassas and Manassas Park.

As a third-term member of the House of Delegates, Danica currently represents the City of Manassas Park and parts of Haymarket, Gainesville and Manassas, Since 2018, 41 of her House Bills have been signed into law—all with bipartisan support, including 12 bills to feed hungry kids.

In 2023, Danica led the successful effort to secure $24.47 million to fund the implementation of her Route 28 STARS Study to fix Route 28 in Manassas Park and Yorkshire, with innovative intersection designs, a raised median, and 1.75 miles of contiguous sidewalk.

Before becoming the first out-and-seated transgender state legislator in American history, following her 2017 election, Danica earned a B.A. in journalism/mass communications from St. Bonaventure University in 2006 and then worked as the lead reporter of the Gainesville Times/Prince William Times from 2006-2015 and as news editor of the Montgomery County Sentinel from 2015-2016. Danica now works as the executive director of Emerge Virginia, where she trains Democratic women how to run for office, and is the author of the 2022 memoir, “Burn the Page.” (Viking Books/PRH).

Donate to Danica’s campaign!

Request yard signs for your home or business!


Michelle Maldonado for House of Delegates (HD-20).  A long-time resident of the Manassas area, Delegate Michelle Lopes Maldonado is an entrepreneur, business leader, mother, wife, and bridge-builder who proudly serves the people of Virginia’s 50th House District. She is the first woman, the first person of color, and only the second Democrat, to serve in this seat in the history of Virginia.

During her first term, Michelle served on the Education, K12, Privileges & Elections, Campaign Finance Reform, and Courts of Justice committees. She also was appointed by Majority Leader Don Scott to Chair the House Democratic Caucus Affordable Housing Policy Committee and by the Speaker of the House to sit on the new statewide School Health Services Committee.

A hardworking, action-oriented, and collaborative legislator, Michelle was named 2022 “Rookie Legislator of the Year” by the Virginia Education Association. She also founded and chairs the new bipartisan, Virginia Technology and Innovation Caucus.

Michelle is a former corporate and tech attorney turned business leader, who understands diverse industry sectors, missions, and services. Michelle has a passion for people, community and service and works hard to ensure that all Virginians have a voice, access, and opportunity to thrive.

Donate to Michelle’s campaign!

Request yard signs for your home or business!


Jacqueline Smith for Clerk of the Prince William Circuit Court.  Jacqueline has had a passion for ensuring access to justice since serving as a volunteer attorney in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.  Her clients there were left with no ability to rebuild after their land records were destroyed due to the government’s practice of storing them in the basement of the courthouse.  When she returned home to her law practice, she was additionally concerned with the lack of customer service offered by the Clerk’s Office.  With phones unanswered, documents unavailable and limited service availability, residents were deprived of the ability to exercise their legal rights.  Since being elected, Jacqueline has ensured that phone calls are answered by a person and not a machine.  She has made all public records available online and has launched Seals on Wheels, a mobile Clerk’s Office that allows her to provide services to residents in their neighborhoods on weekends to ensure that no one is prevented from accessing the services to which they are entitled. Outstanding Service to our Residents is Jacqueline’s Priority!

Donate to Jacqueline’s campaign!

Request yard signs for your home or business!


Amy Ashworth for Prince William Commonwealth’s Attorney.  Amy is a dedicated and experienced Commonwealth’s Attorney who has spent her career fighting for justice in the courtroom.  She has a passion for public service and has worked tirelessly to uphold the rights of her community. Amy’s unwavering commitment to public service and her deep sense of community make her a trusted and respected leader.  She is honored to serve her fellow citizens and is dedicated to making the Cities of Manassas and Manassas Park and all of Prince William County a safer community for all.

Donate to Amy’s campaign!

Request yard signs for your home or business!


Joshua Lavon King, Sr. for Prince William Sheriff. With more than 20 years of law enforcement experience, Josh knows firsthand the challenges and opportunities within our law enforcement system. Josh will train a new generation of officers that will keep us safe and tackle issues, such as reducing recidivism, ending the school-to-prison pipeline, and enhancing safety at the Judicial Center.

Donate to Josh’s campaign!

Request yard signs for your home or business!


Support all five Democratic nominees by donating to the Manassas & Manassas Park Cities Democratic Committee!

Request yard signs for your home or business!

Volunteer to help us greet voters outside the polls during early voting and/or on November 7!

Our Democratic sample ballot for the City of Manassas (pdf)

Official sample ballot for the City of Manassas (pdf)

Our Democratic sample ballot for the City of Manassas Park (pdf)

Official sample ballot for the City of Manassas Park (pdf)


Our 2023 Voter Outreach Booths

Outreach at the Equality Prince William Pride Festival on May 21, 2023

The Manassas & Manassas Park Democrats will staff tables at major community events this spring, summer, and fall, to spread the word about our local Committee and Democratic candidates and to promote voter registration and early voting for the November 7th General Election.  Look for our booth at the following events.  Better yet, sign up for a volunteer shift at those events, to help us with this vital voter outreach.

Sunday, May 21: Equality Prince William Pride Festival at the Harris Pavilion in Old Town Manassas, 12 noon – 4:00 pm.

Tuesday, August 1:  Manassas Park’s National Night Out (NNO) event at Signal Hill Park, 9300 Signal View Dr, 5:00-8:00 pm.

Saturday, August 5:   Manassas African American Heritage Festival, 11:00 am-6:00 pm (set up at 10 am), Metz Middle School, 9950 Wellington Rd, Manassas.

Saturday, September 30: Manassas Latino Festival at the Harris Pavilion in Old Town Manassas, 11:00 am-6 pm (set up at 10 am). Sign up here to help staff this booth!


Seven of Our Nine Democratic Candidates Win Seats in the 2022 General Election!

Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton, State Senator Jeremy McPike, and Manassas Mayor Michelle Davis-Younger join our six Manassas City candidates for school board and city council on Election Day

Although two of our nine Democratic candidates were not elected this year, seven of our candidates were victorious in what had been predicted to be a difficult year, both nationally and locally, for the Democratic Party’s election prospects.

Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton was elected to her third term in the U.S. House of Representatives with vote shares of 56.3% in Manassas and 60.5% in Manassas Park.

In Manassas Park, incumbent Democratic council members Alanna Mensing and Haseeb Javed were both elected to their second terms on the Governing Body with the highest- and second-highest vote tallies for the three available seats.

With the election of Sonia Vasquez Luna and the re-election of incumbent Council Member Ralph Smith, our Democratic nominees won two of the three available seats on the Manassas City, for a net gain of one at-large seat. Ms. Vasquez Luna also made history as the first Latina elected to the Manassas City Council. Although Dheeraj “DJ” Jagadev, our third Manassas City Council nominee, was not elected, we are proud of his solid and honest campaign.

In the race for three seats on the Manassas City School Board, two of our endorsed Democrats, incumbents Lisa Stevens and Jill Spall, were elected as the first-place and third-place finishers, respectively. Our third endorsed candidate, 23-year-old Alex Iqbal, who had served admirably as an appointed school board member since January 2022, regrettably did not win election, but we are confident of Alex’s bright future.

We congratulate our seven successful candidates and deeply thank the scores of campaign volunteers who helped us reach out repeatedly to many thousands of voters in our two cities. Our 2023 campaigns for state senator, state delegate, sheriff, commonwealth’s attorney, and clerk of the court will soon be underway.

View the detailed 2022 general election results for Manassas and Manassas Park.


Our City of Manassas Sample Ballot

Download a PDF version


Our Manassas Park Sample Ballot

Download a PDF version


Support Our 2022 Candidates!

Democratic Nominee for the U.S. House of Representatives, 10th Congressional District of Virginia

Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton

Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton

Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton has been serving the people of Northern Virginia and Shenandoah Valley for two decades as a prosecutor, advocate for abused children, state Senator, and now a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia’s 10th District.

In her legal career, Jennifer served as an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney for Loudoun County, prosecuting felony and misdemeanor criminal and traffic cases in all of the Loudoun Courts. She later served as a court-appointed guardian ad litem, representing abused or neglected children, as a special justice in mental commitment hearings, and as a substitute judge in proceedings in Loudoun County’s district courts.

Jennifer took her passion for protecting others to the state Senate, winning a special election in January 2014. In her five years in Richmond, Jennifer found bipartisan support for her legislation to make our children safer, combat the heroin and opioid epidemic, increase access to affordable healthcare, prepare our children for jobs of the future, ease traffic congestion, and bring more businesses to Northern Virginia.

Jennifer came to Congress with experience in legislating and a deep understanding of Virginia’s 10th district and the issues that matter most to our region’s families. In Congress, Jennifer has worked to make health care more affordable for our families, keep our kids safe from gun violence, and has fought to protect the interests of federal workers and contractors in our region. She has introduced 17 pieces of legislation in her first term, passing four bipartisan bills through the House, with her recently introduced Retirement Protection Act being signed into law as a part of the CARES Act Coronavirus response.

Jennifer lives in Leesburg with her husband, two sons, and two rescued labrador retrievers.


Democratic Nominees for the Manassas City Council

(3 at-large seats on the ballot)

Ralph J. Smith

Ralph J. Smith

Ralph J. Smith is an incumbent seeking his second term on the Manassas City Council.

Manassas welcomed Ralph at a special time in his life, and it became his hometown, with all the accompanying joys of belonging and being attached to one’s hometown that he was deprived of as a young person in the town in which he was born. The circumstances related to that led Ralph to a life of community involvement.

Ralph cites his experience leading the local NAACP chapter and his work in the communities of Manassas City, Manassas Park, and Prince William on behalf of their residents. He wants to continue to bring solutions to the issues facing Manassas City.

Ralph states that his priority for this term is to “continue to ensure equitable recovery from the pandemic, to have high quality city services by providing a needed public health perspective, while ensuring that women have access to maternal health services, ensuring we have competitive pay and career advancement for our city government workforce, and working with our school board members in support of our schools.”

Sonia Vasquez Luna

Sonia Vasquez Luna

Sonia R. Vasquez Luna was born and raised in El Salvador. She came to the United States in 2001 and worked minimum-wage jobs while taking English classes at night to support her mother and sisters. Sonia and her then-active-duty military family moved to Manassas looking for affordable housing in 2010. She is a mother of two children attending Manassas City Public Schools.

Sonia obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration at the National Labor College in 2014, after receiving her Associate of Science degree in Business Administration at Northern Virginia Community College in 2011.

Throughout her life, Sonia has fought tirelessly for workers, women, immigrants, human rights, voters, and equal pay for equal work.

In 2019, Sonia became the first immigrant woman Elected Business Manager for a local union at Laborer’s International Union of North America. Currently, she serves a second term as a National Board Member on the LIUNA Latino Caucus, Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA), and LCLAA Si Podemos Fund. Sonia is also an elected board member of the Northern Virginia Labor Federation, AFL-CIO. Sonia has served as an election officer for over a decade in Fairfax County, Prince William County, and Manassas City.

Her priorities are: Inclusive Government, Women’s Health/Right to Privacy, Accessible and Reliable Public Transportation, and Strengthen Partnership with School Board.

Sonia is determined to deliver positive change!

You can learn more about Sonia and upcoming volunteer opportunities by visiting www.soniavasquezluna.com or www.facebook.com/Sonia4Manassas.

Dheeraj (DJ”) Jagadev

Dheeraj Jagadev

The Jagadev family story in America began in 1996, when Dheeraj’s parents, natives of Kerala, India, immigrated to the United States. Together, they chose the greater Manassas area to pursue the American dream and imparted the values that continue to be practiced by Dheeraj: do everything with integrity, success comes through hard work, and fight for those who cannot fight for themselves.

Dheeraj “DJ” Jagadev attended and graduated from Unity Reed High School before receiving his Bachelor’s degree in History and a Master’s degree in Public Policy from the College of William and Mary.

As a product of Virginia public schools, educator, and parent of a student in Manassas City Public Schools, Dheeraj not only understands the benefits of access to a quality education and importance of strengthening our public school system, but he has first-hand knowledge and experience when fighting for the needs and wants of fellow educators, parents, and our youth.

As a member of the Manassas City Planning Commission and its Zoning Ordinance Review Committee, Dheeraj recognizes that the vital economic development of Manassas is directly fostered by a strong business environment. The success of our local businesses, regional airport, and the emergence of larger companies who choose to do business in Manassas create job opportunities for our residents and enhance employable skills–making our residents even more attractive in the job market.

Dheeraj is running for a seat on your Manassas City Council to ensure that our public school system is properly funded so that his fellow educators have the required resources and tools to effectively provide our parents and students with the quality of education they deserve. Dheeraj is also running to ensure that the health of women is protected, now and for generations to come. Manassas City currently has the Highest Manufacturing Wage in all of Virginia and an annual growth of 5.5% in Median Household Income. Dheeraj will fight to continue this economic growth, by growing our tax base while not increasing tax rates and by maintaining current business relationships and attracting new businesses to choose Manassas.

For more information on Dheeraj “DJ” Jagadev, please visit www.dheerajforManassas.com. And please be sure to follow us on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/DheerajForManassas.


Democratic Nominees for the Manassas Park Governing Body (City Council)

(3 at-large seats on the ballot)

Alanna Mensing

Alanna Mensing

Alanna Mensing is currently serving on the Manassas Park Governing Body. First elected in 2018, Alanna has been a resident of Manassas Park since 2009 and a Democrat since she knew what the word meant. Prior to her service on the Governing Body, Alanna served a term on the Manassas Park School Board.

While on the Governing Body, Alanna has lowered the real estate tax rate over ten cents, raised employee pay, and voted for the new Downtown project, bringing in multiple opportunities for new businesses to grow in Manassas Park.

Alanna teaches private music lessons and aerial acrobatics. When she is not busy with those activities, she keeps busy homeschooling her two young boys.

Haseeb Javed

Haseeb Jagadev

Haseeb Javed is a successful businessman, highly skilled in management, administration, and budgeting. Over his business career, he has continuously delivered sustainable results and grown profit even in unfavorable economic situations. He’s a great problem solver who loves to see things work perfectly for the greater good.

Presently employed as a real estate professional, Haseeb applies his skill and experience in the real estate industry to serve the community as an active member of City Council.

During his first term on City Council, Haseeb has contributed to economic development citywide, increased city employee pay to reduce turnover, fought year-after-year for increased school budgets, increased City staffing to better serve residents, implemented a strategic plan to update infrastructure, introduced a citywide free voucher program, and helped our local nonprofits.

When not selling houses or doing official City business, Haseeb is home with his wife and two young kids.


Our Endorsed Candidates for City of Manassas School Board

(3 at-large seats on the ballot)

Jill Spall

Jill Spall

Born in California, Jill Spall moved to Illinois and then Texas and finally Virgnia in 1973. She attended Prince William County Schools through graduation (Osbourn Park High School ‘86) and was accepted at Virginia Tech and graduated in 1990 with a B.A. in Communications with a minor in Psychology. She worked for residential property management firms until 1995, then in the telecom industry.

As a citizen of Manassas, Jill runs a contracting business with her husband and had volunteered extensively at Manassas City Public Schools during her children’s attendance. She helped promote child advocacy and school support through participation in PTAs, Shamrock Run, newsletter editing as well as band, athletic and academic boosters. When she saw a need, she reinvented our After Prom Program to celebrate our Juniors and Seniors in a manner comparable to our larger school district neighbors. She also created a healthy weekend food distribution program for students that expanded district wide over 10 years.

So, who is Jill Spall? She’s a Wife and a Mom and a Daughter and a Sister and an Aunt and Friend. She takes those positions seriously and has dedicated her life to help grow and influence great citizens who are lifelong learners and care about other people and humanity’s future. She has also served on several Manassas committees and continues to do so as a current School Board Member. Jill has been dedicating many hours to training and learning at the Virginia School Board Association level.

With your help, Jill can continue these pursuits and remain fully invested in the future of our city and our schools. Please consider a vote for Jill and her colleagues Lisa and Alex because they care deeply about our city kids and our public schools.

Their platform is:  Student Engagement–Student Growth–School Safety.

Lisa Stevens

Lisa Stevens

Lisa Stevens and her husband made the City of Manassas their home approximately 29 years ago and raised four children here.  Three are graduates of Manassas City Public Schools, while the fourth is a 4th grader in one of our elementary schools.

Lisa is in her 8th year as a middle school Special Education teacher for Prince William County Schools.  Prior to that, she directed a program in school-age child care at All Saints Catholic School for 18 years.

Lisa’s heart has always been with the education of our youth, since they are the future, and we must do right by them.  She originally ran for the Manassas City Public School Board as a way to give back to the community that has been such a central and important part of her family’s lives.  She is running for re-election because her work is not done, and she has so much yet to give.

Alex Iqbal

Alex Iqbal

Alex Iqbal is a product of the Manassas City Public Schools system, from Haydon Elementary up through Osbourn High School (OHS), where he graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2017. He attended the Virginia Tech College of Engineering, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science with a minor in Mathematics and ultimately decided to return to his hometown to work as an engineer at Micron Technology.

Growing up as a student in Manassas City Public Schools, Alex participated in various technical and creative endeavors. He played violin, sang, and was an avid volunteer. Alex attended the Governor’s School @ Innovation Park, where he conducted a year-long organic chemistry project. He also developed a course for elementary students focused on electricity and magnetism.

Alex was a member of the OHS Academic Team for all of his four years at Osbourn. Additionally, he was a member of National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, and Tri-M Music Honor Society. He graduated as an AP Scholar, with honor and distinction, and as a National Merit Scholar.

Alex credits his time in MCPS as the means that enabled him to achieve his goals. He intimately recognizes the importance of receiving support from teachers, staff, and other role models in transforming the lives of students. He believes in providing abundant opportunity to students in the form of robust career and technical education programs, extracurricular activities, and fine arts. His aim is to advocate for the students by continuing to provide a student perspective while on the School Board.

Alex is running on a platform of student engagement, student growth, and student safety, alongside his running mates Jill and Lisa.  Please consider voting for them in the upcoming November 8th election.


Our School Board Candidates–Jill Spall, Alex Iqbal & Lisa Stevens–believe…

  • We must meet our students where they are
  • Students who feel included, respected, and valued are more likely to succeed in school and after graduation
  • Our families are our partners in student success. We value their input
  • Diversity is our strength
  • When students have skills to handle stress, they are less likely to act out and pose risk
  • Positive behavioral interventions facilitate school appropriate, pro-social behavior

They have demonstrated those commitments by…

  • Having Family Liaisons and PEP (Parents as Educational Partners) at all 9 schools
  • Offering large and growing Career and Technical Education at Osbourn (CTE)
  • Providing Breakfast, lunch, and dinner free to all MCPS students
  • Targeting instruction blocks to address deficit areas
  • Targeting enrichment to those at or above grade level
  • Providing English/Language Arts & Math at all schools, every grade, 1 hour each daily
  • Teaching emotional regulation and social skills to handle today’s childhood stresses
  • Partnering to provide after school and Saturday STEM camps to adolescents.
  • Providing GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) to prepare students for college and beyond
  • Implementing new instructional framework aligned with 5-year Strategic Plan
  • Implementing a continuous improvement plan
  • Supporting Metz-Osbourn Robotics Team Partnership to be a winning robotics team

Outcomes…

  • Student growth in pass rate on SOL assessments from 2020-21 to 2021-22 outpaced VA average
  • The pass rate change for MCPS in the areas of Reading, Math, and was higher than all surrounding school divisions.

Jill Spall                                 Lisa Stevens                              Alex Iqbal


Frequently Asked Questions: Jill Spall, Lisa Stevens, and Alex Iqbal–Incumbent Candidates for Manassas City School Board

Goal: To teach all the children of Manassas, retain and value teachers.

Direct Experience with MCPS:

  • Jill’s 3 children attended MCPS K-12, and she volunteered in schools for 20 years.
  • Alex attended MCPS K-12, is a recent appreciative graduate and wants to pay it forward
  • Lisa’s 3 eldest children graduated from MCPS and 1 is currently enrolled

Qualifications and Educational Backgrounds:

  • Lisa is a Special Education teacher with PWCS with a Master’s in Educational Psychology.
  • Alex is a recent graduate of Virginia Tech and employed as a Micron Process Engineer.
  • Jill holds a Bachelor’s in Psychology and Communication Studies and is a small business owner.

What have you done since being on the board?

  • Followed COVID CDC guidelines for making decisions
  • Budget approval 22-23 /23-24 is in progress
  • New Football Field- 2022 school year
  • Strategic Plan- 2022-2027
  • Capital Improvement Plan- approved 12/21

What goals are your working on?

  • Truancy
  • Higher pay for teachers
  • Special Education teacher shortages and space limitations
  • Lower student teacher ratio, lower class sizes

How Can I find out more about Manassas Public Schools?


Sara Brescia, A Far-Right Republican Masquerading As A Political Independent

Republican-backed Manassas School Board candidate Sara Brescia claims to be politically independent and boasts of having bi-partisan support. However, this $500 check from the well-funded far-right Political Action Committee Loudoun Conservatives Cares suggests that Ms. Brescia does indeed have an undisclosed conservative political agenda.


Manassas Democrats Endorse Incumbent Manassas City School Board Members for November Election

Alex Iqbal, Lisa Stevens, and Jill Spall

The Manassas & Manassas Park Cities Democratic Committee (MMPCDC) voted unanimously on August 17 to endorse incumbent Manassas City School Board candidates Jill Spall, Lisa Stevens, and Alex Iqbal for the November 8, 2022 General Election.

  • Lisa Stevens, first elected to the school board in 2019, is a special education teacher and parent of three Osbourn High School graduates and one current Manassas City Public Schools (MCPS) student.
  • Jill Spall was unanimously appointed by the Manassas City School Board in October 2021 to fill the vacant seat previously held by Sanford S. Williams. Jill Spall and her husband are local small business owners and parents of three Osbourn High School graduates.
  • Alex Iqbal, a Manassas City Public School system alumnus, is a recent graduate of the Virginia Tech College of Engineering and employed at Micron Technology.  In January 2022, the Manassas City School Board unanimously appointed Alex Iqbal to fill the seat vacated when Tim Demeria became the City’s Commissioner of the Revenue.

MMPCDC Co-chairs Gretchen Almstead and Cheryl Macias recently commented… “Lisa, Jill, and Alex are devoted to the City of Manassas and to the education of every child and are all well equipped, through training and experience, to ably serve as productive school board members from Day One.  Furthermore, they are all firmly committed to providing first-rate educational and extracurricular opportunities and outcomes for all MCPS students, including enhanced Career and Technical Education courses and certifications for students who are not college-bound.”

The City of Manassas holds an election every two years to fill either three or four seats on its seven-member School Board.  In Virginia, school board positions are officially nonpartisan, meaning school board candidates may not have party affiliations next to their names on the official election ballot. However, as a consequence this endorsement, the Democratic Party’s sample ballot for Manassas will clearly identify Lisa Stevens, Jill Spall, and Alex Iqbal as its recommended School Board candidates.

“Our Democratic committee has only twice endorsed school board candidates previously.  In recent years, however, school board elections and deliberations across our nation have grown contentious and partisan.  Increasingly, private schooling and home schooling advocates seek to divert tax revenue away from public education, while opponents of culturally responsive teaching and of LGBTQ equality seek to establish discriminatory school policies.”



Results of the June 21 Democratic Primary for Manassas City Council

The official results of the June 21 Democratic primary election to select three Democratic nominees for Manassas City Council to run in the November 8, 2022 General Election are now posted.  The election results were certified by the City of Manassas Electoral Board on Friday, June 24.

Congratulations to the three primary winners who have become our Democratic nominees for the November 8, 2022 General Election–Sonia Vasquez Luna, Dheeraj (“D.J.”) Jagadev, and Ralph J. Smith (incumbent).   In addition, we sincerely thank MMPCDC member Robert (Bob) Keller who also sought this nomination and ran a solid campaign.

View the official sample ballot.



Manassas & Manassas Park Vote Blue in the 2021 “Red Wave” General Election

The outcome of the November 2021 “red wave” General Election was heartbreaking for Democrats at the statewide level.. Not only did the Republican candidates for governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general narrowly sweep the statewide contests–with statewide vote shares ranging between 50.36% and 50.71%–the Republicans regained majority control of the Virginia House of Delegates, by picking up seven seats from Democratic incumbents, two of whom lost by fewer than 300 votes.

Nevertheless, the Cities of Manassas and Manassas Park both continued to vote blue, and Democrats won all eight House of Delegate seats that represent various parts of Prince William County.

Manassas voters supported our three statewide Democratic candidates (Terry McAuliffe for governor, Hala Ayala for lieutenant governor, and Mark Herring for attorney general) by majorities of 54.4% to 55.5% and also helped elect Democratic first-time candidate Michelle Maldonado to the District 50 seat in the Virginia House of Delegates with more than 55.9% of the Manassas vote.

Manassas Park voters supported our statewide Democratic ticket with majorities of 60.0% to 61.7% and helped re-elect Democratic Delegate Danica Roem to her third term in the Virginia House of Delegates (District 13) with 62.2% of the Manassas Park vote.

Manassas voters also re-elected Democratic incumbent Patricia Richie-Folks as City of Manassas Treasurer with 53.7% of the vote and elected Democratic candidate Tim Demeria, a 15-year Manassas School Board member, as City of Manassas Commissioner of the Revenue with 51.5% of the vote.

Congratulations to our four winning candidates: Delegate Danica Roem, Delegate-Elect Michele Maldonado, Manassas Treasurer Patricia Richie-Folks, and Manassas Commissioner of the Revenue-Elect Tim Demeria!

City of Manassas 11-02-2021 Election Results

City of Manassas Park 11-02-2021 Election Results


Early Voting for the November 2, 2021 General Election Begins on September 17

Our Democratic Sample Ballot for the City of Manassas:

View or download this sample ballot as a PDF file.

View or download the City of Manassas’ official sample ballot (PDF file).

Our Democratic Sample Ballot for the City of Manassas Park:

View or download the City of Manassas Park’s official sample ballot (PDF file).

Note that for all 2021 contested elections this year, the Democratic candidate (if any) is listed second on the ballot.



Congratulations to all our statewide and House of Delegate nominees selected via the June 8, 2021 Democratic Primary

Please use the election campaign website links posted below to volunteer for and/or donate to these campaigns!

Former Governor Terry McAuliffe for Governor

State Delegate Hala Ayala for Lieutenant Governor

Mark Herring (I*) for Attorney General

Michelle Maldonado for House of Delegates (HD-50, includes the City of Manassas)

Our other 2021 Democratic nominees, who were selected previously, are:

Danica Roem (I*) for House of Delegates (HD-13, includes the City of Manassas Park)

Patricia Richie-Folks (I*) for Treasurer, City of Manassas

Manassas School Board Member Tim Demeria for Commissioner of the Revenue, City of Manassas

On June 16, 2021, the Manassas members of MMPCDC unanimously endorsed Manassas City Council Member David Farajollahi (I*) for the concurrent special election for his currently appointed City Council seat.

Please use the election campaign website links posted above to volunteer for and/or donate to these campaigns!

Our 2021 Democratic candidates on the City of Manassas general election ballot (l to r):  Patricia Richie-Folks, Tim Demeria, Michelle Maldonado, and David Farajollahi.

*Incumbents running for re-election.


 Our 2020 Elections

View the official City of Manassas sample ballot for November 3, 2020

View the front side and the back side of the official Manassas Park sample ballot for November 3, 2020.


Our 2020 Democratic Sample Ballot for Manassas City

click on the image above to enlarge


Our 2020 Democratic Sample Ballot for Manassas Park

click on the image above to enlarge


Meet Our Local 2020 Candidates

In November 2020, the Cities of Manassas and Manassas Park will each hold separate local elections for the Mayor and three City Council members in each city. Below are brief descriptions of the Democratic candidates we’ve nominated and the independent candidates we’ve endorsed for those eight local seats. To view the candidate’s campaign website or Facebook page, click on the headline for that candidate.

Candidates for Election in Manassas Park

Jeanette Rishell (incumbent) for Manassas Park Mayor

Jeanette Rishell has been a resident of Manassas Park since 1994 and was elected Mayor in 2016, after serving as a Councilmember for 4 years.  Jeanette serves as the City’s representative to the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA), as Vice Chair of the NVTA Finance Committee, as the City’s representative to the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission (PRTC) and the Transportation Planning Board (TPB) at the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. Jeanette also serves on the Upper Occoquan Service Authority (UOSA) Board of Directors.

Although much progress has been made, Jeanette understands that the financial condition of the City still requires financially careful decision-making and lean budgets until the high yearly debt service begins to decrease and the incoming revenue from new economic development begins. A strong and successful City also depends upon wisely allocating limited resources to the many unmet needs across the City. The City did not get into this financial situation overnight, and it will take time to overcome these challenges.

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Yesy Amaya for Manassas Park City Council

Yesy Amaya was born in El Salvador and has lived in Virginia since 1985. She grew up in Falls Church, graduating from Falls Church High School in 1995. In 2001 she bought her first home in Manassas Park and has been a member of the community since. Her three children have all attended Manassas Park City Schools with the oldest graduating in 2019.

In 2004, she established her first business in Prince William. As the economy went into recession, she closed her retail bakery and moved it home to Manassas Park. After having her at-home business for 5 years she moved it once again to Prince William. Currently, she and her sister own an event venue in Maplewood Shopping Center.

Yesy Amaya understands the struggles of small business ownership and the obstacles one faces trying to get ahead in the current environment.  She is persistent and always willing to lend a hand when she can. She strives for fair treatment and equal opportunities for all.

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Darryl Moore for Manassas Park City Council

Darryl Moore is a life-long Democrat.  Prior to moving to Manassas Park, he served 12 years on the Berkeley (CA) City Council.  During his tenure on the Berkeley City Council, he doubled the funding for youth jobs through the summer youth employment program, led efforts to rebuild the four branch libraries as Chair of the Library Board, won federal stimulus funds to repave a major street in the City, secured a neighborhood-serving grocery store for the City, and put together $2 million in funding to rejuvenate the largest and oldest park in the City.

Darryl has a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Sociology from the University of California, Santa Cruz and a Master’s Degree in Public Policy from the Harris School of Public Policy at the University of Chicago.

If elected to the Manassas Park City Council, Darryl will be accessible and transparent.  He will hit the ground running, working for all of the residents of Manassas Park.  His priorities are:

  1. Lower our high property taxes by enhancing and encouraging proper and appropriate economic development.
  2. Increase funding to our Public Schools.  More funding needs to be directed into the classroom.
  3. Enhance and maintain our infrastructure.  Ensuring that our beautiful parks, pathways, streets, and sidewalks are maintained.

For more information, visit Darryl’s webpage at www.moore4manassaspark.com or Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Moore4ManassasPark .

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Donald Shuemaker (incumbent) for Manassas Park City Council

Donald grew up in Manassas Park and still owns the house on Manassas Drive where he grew up.  While serving on City Council, he has made raising employee pay,  lowering the property tax rate, and expanding the business base as priorities.  He has been a champion for mass transit and Route 28, to reduce traffic congestion, and has served on committees that manage VRE and bus service.  Serving on the Library Board of Trustees, Donald has ensured that all citizens have access to reading materials and Wi-Fi, while saving City taxpayers $280,000/year by creating our own library in the City.  He voted to refinance the City’s debt in 2019, to save $2.2 million in interest payments for the taxpayers of Manassas Park.

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Candidates for Election in Manassas City

Michelle Davis-Younger for Mayor, City of Manassas

A life-long resident of Manassas. Michelle knows that Manassas is a special place to live, work, and raise a family. She has the experience, problem-solving skills, and vision to effectively serve our city as Mayor.

Michelle holds a Bachelors in Human Resources and an MBA. As a volunteer and business owner in our community, Michelle brought people together to find solutions and get things done. On city council, she has advocated for our entire city, demanding transparency and results.

As a human resources professional and small business owner, Michelle understands what it takes to help people become gainfully employed, helping to create jobs and grow our economy. She will continue to bring ideas for creative economic development, lead efforts for continuous and sustainable employment for everyone who wants to work, and attract investments to make Downtown an even greater destination.

Over the last two years, both as a candidate and as one of your Councilwomen, Michelle has put her hands to plow to ensure that Manassas works for all who call our wonderful city home. Through late night work sessions, council meetings, community events, and various other local government matters, Michelle has had one focus the entire time–positioning Manassas City to be the gold standard for what is possible when we come together as a community to tackle the issues and challenges that face our city.

​Michelle is running to help return the power in City Hall back to the citizens of Manassas City. As a city, we have big challenges ahead but also immense opportunity to position Manassas to be the magnet that attracts new business investment, growing our tax base while not increasing taxes. We also must help our schools, in a community effort, to transform into world-class environments that continue to deliver the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs. Join her in building that bridge into our future!

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Tom Osina for Manassas City Council

Tom Osina is a 20 year resident of Manassas.  He and his husband live in the Georgetown South community. He is a member of the Citizens’ Advisory Committee on Solid Waste, Treasurer of the Georgetown South Community Council, and Board Member & Co-Founder of Equality Prince William. Tom is a graduate of the City of Manassas Leadership Academy and owns and operates a small business that provides headquarters and project management to non-profits.

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Pam Sebesky (incumbent) for Manassas City Council

Pam Sebesky has lived in the greater Manassas area most of her life. She and her husband both graduated from Stonewall Jackson High School (Unity Reed) in 1983 and married in 1990. Pam graduated from the Prince William County School of Practical Nursing in 1984 with an LPN and VCU/MCV in 1988 with a BSN. She has worked in cardiology most of her career, first at the hospital and for over 20 years for Kaiser Permanente as a Cardiology nurse.

The Sebeskys made their home in the City of Manassas in 1992 and had 2 children, who both graduated from Osbourn High School. Emily went on to graduate from Christopher Newport University and works in HR. Joseph graduated from University of Mary Washington and works in security. They are very proud of their adult children, who work hard and give back by volunteering.

Pam was elected to the Manassas City School Board and served from 2010-2016, when she was elected to the Manassas City Council. While on the school board, the schools became fully accredited, and Pam instituted a student school board liaison program that still goes on today. Since joining the City Council on January 1, 2017, Pam has consistently worked with all Manassas citizens, as transparency and inclusion are the reasons she serves.

During her time on Council, Pam has led efforts for, or been an integral part of, policy change and improved transparency, recognizing Gay Pride Month, initiating the Equity and Inclusion Task Force, and implementing a policy and procedure for term limits on all city Boards, Committees, & Commissions.

Pam has served as Chair of the Council Appointments Committee, served on the Council Finance Committee, and currently serves on the Council Land Use Committee.  In August 2019, Pam was elected by Council to serve as the Vice Mayor, a position she continues to hold.

Pam has represented Manassas on the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority’s Planning Coordination & Advisory Committee and on the Virginia Railway Express Operations Board.

She currently serves as the Vice-Chair of the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission, which operates the Omniride bus service, and as Vice-Chair, Virginia of the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (at the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments), of which she will become the Chair in 2022 if reelected to Council.

Pam is proud of her accomplishments during her first term on Council. She has tried to represent everyone, by leading with honesty and integrity, but there is still much to do. She would really appreciate your support to continue her work as a Manassas City Councilwoman.

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Mark Wolfe (incumbent) for Manassas City Council

Councilman Mark Wolfe has lived in the City of Manassas since 1990. Mark has significant executive leadership experience in the corporate and non-profit sectors and is currently the Chief Operating Officer of MovieComm. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Iowa. Amy, his wife of 39 years, is the Artistic Director and CEO of Manassas Ballet Theatre. They have two children, both of who graduated from Osbourn High School. Cece also graduated from George Mason University, and Colin was killed in action in Iraq in 2006.

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Results of the June 23, 2020 Democratic Primary for Manassas City Council

According to the official election results, the three winners of the June 23 Democratic primary for Manassas City Council are Pam Sebesky, Mark Wolfe, and Tom Osina, who received 1572, 1383, and 1321 votes, respectively.  Helen Zurita placed fourth with 870 votes.  Congratulations to all four candidates for running positive campaigns during a very difficult time.



Our 2019 Elections

Support Our Candidates in the November 5, 2019 Election

View our Democratic Sample Ballot for the City of Manassas

View the Official Sample Ballot for the City of Manassas

View our Democratic Sample Ballot for the City of Manassas Park

View the Official Sample Ballot for the City of Manassas Park

For State Senate (SD-29): Senator Jeremy McPike (incumbent)

State Senator Jeremy McPike is a Prince William County native, the Director of General Services for the City of Alexandria, and a longtime volunteer firefighter and EMT in Dale City. During his four years in office, Jeremy’s legislative record has been very highly rated by many educational, environmental, labor, and women’s rights groups and also favorably rated by diverse business and consumer groups. Website: McPikeforSenate.com

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For State Delegate (HD-50, includes City of Manassas): Delegate Lee Carter (incumbent)

Delegate Lee Carter is a Marine Corps veteran who has since worked in medical electronics repair and small business IT support.  Elected in 2017, Lee has fiercely championed a host of progressive causes, including affordable healthcare and housing, living wages and worker protections, women’s rights, LGBTQ equality, teacher pay, criminal justice reform, environmental justice, curbing corrupt corporate influence, and consumer protections. Website: CarterforVirginia.com

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For State Delegate (HD-13, includes City of Manassas Park): Delegate Danica Roem (incumbent)

Delegate Danica Roem, a lifelong Manassas resident, acquired a deep understanding of our community as a local newspaper reporter with the Gainesville Times/Prince William Times . Elected in 2017, Danica has used her listening and fact-finding reporter’s skills to achieve practical results for her constituents on educational, transportation, healthcare, environmental, equity, accountability, gun-violence prevention, tax policy, and other matters. Website: DelegateDanicaRoem.com

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For Commonwealth’s Attorney (open seat): Amy Ashworth

Amy Ashworth is an experienced prosecutor and law practice manager who will bring real criminal justice reform to our community and work hard to increase the fairness, integrity, and equality of our justice system. Amy will focus on crimes that cause the most harm (not that put the most people in prison), end the school-to-prison pipeline, emphasize prevention and deterrence of domestic violence, and increase treatment and rehabilitation options.  Website: VoteAshworth.com

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For Sheriff: Josh King

Josh King is an Iraq vet, deputy sheriff, labor leader, and parent of a non-verbal teenage autistic daughter.  Josh will train a new generation of diverse officers to build public trust in the community, mandate that officers are well-trained to engage with people with disabilities or mental illness, and end Prince William’s partnership with ICE. Website: King2019.com

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For Manassas City Council: Council Member Ralph Smith (incumbent)

Council Member Ralph J. Smith, a retired senior executive with the Social Security Administration, is a former President of the NAACP in Prince William County and a City of Manassas election official for 20+ years. Ralph will advance infrastructure improvements, attract diverse business investments, fully fund our schools, preserve and expand green/recreational space, and attract the best and brightest educators. Website: RalphJSmith.com

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For Manassas School Board: Lisa Anne Stevens

Lisa Anne Stevens is a special education teacher, mother, community member, and volunteer who understands public education and its importance to the community. Lisa will ensure that our schools are safe and attract and retain great teachers and staff; will work with legislators to adequately fund our schools; and will strive to provide a great education for every child in the City of Manassas. Website: Lisa4Manassas.com

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Our candidates have proven records of leadership, experience, and community service. We ask for your vote in the November 5, 2019 elections.

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Democrats Win 9 out of 10 Manassas and Manassas Park Elections in 2018!

Our 2018 local Democratic nominees (from left) Haseeb Javed, Ken Elston, Michelle Davis-Younger, Alanna Mensing, and Rex Parr

November 6, 2018 was another banner day for Manassas and Manassas Park Democrats, as 6 of our 7 Democratic nominees and all 3 of our endorsed candidates for the Manassas School Board won their elections to public office.

At the top of the ticket statewide, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D) handily won re-election against his Republican opponent, Prince William Board of County Supervisors Chairman Corey Stewart.  Moreover, Kaine’s vote shares in Manassas Park (69.07%) and Manassas (62.88%) exceeded his statewide vote share of 56.95%.

Similarly, in the contest for Virginia’s 10th Congressional District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, Virginia State Senator Jennifer Wexton (D, SD-33) soundly defeated second-term Congresswoman Barbara Comstock (R), and Wexton’s vote shares in Manassas Park (67.47%) and Manassas (60.28%) exceeded her district-wide vote share of 56.12%.

In Manassas Park, first-time candidates Alanna Mensing (D) and Haseeb Javed (D) were both elected to the City Council with 2,738 votes and 2,042 votes, respectively.  Incumbent Preston Banks, a Republican running as an Independent, was also elected with 2,392 votes, while incumbent Michael Carrera, another Republican running as an Independent, placed fourth and was thus not re-elected.

In the race for three seats on the Manassas City Council, Democratic incumbent Ken Elston was re-elected with 5,998 votes, while three-term Republican incumbent Marc Aveni came in fifth and was defeated.  Also elected were first-time candidate Michelle Davis-Younger (D), the top vote-getter with 6,168 votes, and second-time Republican candidate Theresa Coates Ellis, the third-place finisher with 5,900 votes.  Regrettably, second-time Democratic candidate Rex Parr polled fourth, just 487 votes shy of winning election.

Lastly, Sanford Williams, Tim Demeria, and Ken Nixon–the three candidates that the MMPCDC endorsed for Manassas School Board–were each elected with 6,717, 6,569, and 5,784 votes, respectively.

Elsewhere in Virginia, Democratic women won two additional seats in the U.S. House of Representatives from Republican incumbents.  Elaine Luria won CD-2 from first-term Republican Scott Taylor with 51% of the vote, and Abigail Spanberger won CD-7 from second-term Republican Dave Brat with 50.3% of the vote.

Virginia Congresswomen-elect Elaine Luria (CD-2), Jennifer Wexton (CD-10), and Abigail Spanberger (CD-7)

Nationally, the Democratic Party picked up a net of 40 (and possibly 41) seats in the U.S. House of Representatives (the largest Democratic gain in a mid-term House election since 1974), producing a 235-199 Democratic House majority.

Although the U.S. Senate Democratic caucus lost a net of two seats, resulting in a 53-47 Republican majority, only 9 of the 35 Senate seats contested in 2018 (<26%) had been held by Republicans, whereas the Democrats were faced with defending 10 seats in states that Donald Trump had won in 2016 and retained six of them.  In light of that unfavorable Senate map (the most unfavorable for Democrats in a midterm since at least 1914), the net loss of only two Democratic seats confirms the 2018 Blue Wave and places the Democrats on a path to regain control of the U.S, Senate in 2020 when about 64% of the contested seats will be Republican held.

Official election results for the City of Manassas

Official election results for the City of Manassas Parkab

Official Virginia election results for U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives


To learn more about these candidates, please explore the campaign links below:

U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (Democratic nominee for re-election to the U.S. Senate)
State Senator Jennifer Wexton (Democratic nominee for U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia’s 10th Congressional District).
Michelle Davis-Younger (Democratic nominee for Manassas City Council)
Councilman Ken Elston (Democratic nominee for re-election to the Manassas City Council)
Rex Parr (Democratic nominee for Manassas City Council)

Help us elect these Democrats with a financial contribution!

Read the two proposed Virginia Constitutional Amendments included on the ballot.

View the official sample ballot for the City of Manassas.

View/download our Democratic Sample Ballot for Manassas.


To learn more about these candidates, please explore the campaign links below:

U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (Democratic nominee for re-election to the U.S. Senate)
State Senator Jennifer Wexton (Democratic nominee for U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia’s 10th Congressional District).
Alanna Mensing (Democratic nominee for Manassas Park City Council)
Haseeb Javed (Democratic nominee for Manassas Park City Council)

Help us elect these Democrats with a financial contribution!

Read the two proposed Virginia Constitutional Amendments included on the ballot.

View the official sample ballot for the City of Manassas Park.

View/download our Democratic Sample Ballot for Manassas Park


Our 2018 Voter Outreach Booths

Manassas City Council candidates Ken Elston, Michelle Davis-Younger, and Rex Parr pose in front of our booth at the Manassas African-American Heritage Festival on August 4, 2018

The Manassas & Manassas Park Democrats will staff tables at major community events this summer and fall, to spread the word about our local Committee and Democratic candidates and to promote voter registration and absentee voting for the November 6th General Election.  Look for our booth at the following events.  Better yet, sign up for a volunteer shift at those events, to help us with this vital voter outreach.

Saturday, August 4:   Manassas African American Heritage Festival, 11:00 am -6:00 pm (set up at 10 am), Metz Middle School, 9950 Wellington Rd, Manassas.

Tuesday, August 7:  Manassas Park’s National Night Out (NNO) event at Signal Hill Park, 9300 Signal View Dr, 5:00-8:00 pm.

Tuesday, August 7:  Manassas City’s National Night Out (NNO) event on the lawn of the Manassas Museum, 6:00-9:00 pm.

Tuesday, August 7:   6:00-8:00 pm.

Sunday, September 23:  Manassas Latino Festival, Noon-5:30 pm (set up at 11 am), Harris Pavilion in Old Town Manassas.   Sign up here to help staff this booth!

Saturday, October 13:  Manassas Park Fall Festival, 10 am – 3 pm (set up from 9-10 am), Manassas Park Community Center Gymnasium, 99 Adams Street, Manassas Park, VA 20111.  Sign up here to help staff this booth!

Saturday, October 20 (rescheduled from Sept. 15): March with the MMPCDC contingent and other area Democratic groups in the Haymarket Day Parade. Lineup by 10:30 am; marching begins between 11 am and noon.  Sign up here to march with us in the parade!

Tuesday, November 6:  General Election, 6:00 am-7:00 pm, at all nine polling places in Manassas and Manassas Park.


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 9, 2018

Democrats Announce Results of Nominating Caucus for City of Manassas City Council

Manassas VA—Manassas and Manassas Park Cities Democratic Committee held an unassembled caucus today to determine the three Democratic nominees for Manassas City Council election in November. 138 voters came out to vote for up to three of the four candidates – E. Michelle Davis-Younger, Ken D. Elston, Rex G. Parr Jr and Dr. Oliver T. Reid. The results of the election were as follows:

Michelle Davis-Younger – 114
Ken D. Elston – 88
Rex G. Parr Jr – 87
Dr. Oliver T. Reid – 43

Congratulations to Michelle, Ken and Rex and many thanks to Oliver for his willingness to serve.

Our Democratic nominees look forward to tackling the issues facing Manassas. They will have a special focus on ensuring that Manassas City’s Schools are properly funded and that we are finding creative ways to stimulate Economic Development while adhering to smart growth practices.

###

Mike Freeland, Co-Chair MMPCDC
[email protected]
571-358-9893


Congratulations to Alanna Mensing and Haseeb Javed who have successfully filed as our Democratic nominees for Manassas Park Governing Body Council Members for the November 6, 2018 election.


Lee Carter and Danica Roem Elected, Patricia Richie-Folks Re-Elected, in Historic November 7, 2017 “Democratic Wave” Election

Delegates Lee J. Carter (HD-50) and Danica Roem (HD-13)

On November 7, 2017, Manassas and Manassas Park voters helped propel Democrats Ralph Northam, Justin Fairfax, and Mark Herring to victory over their Republican opponents in the three statewide races for governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general, respectively,  Moreover, the respective Democratic margins in Manassas (56.9%-41.9%, 56.4%-43.5%,and 56.8%-43.2%) and Manassas Park (63.7%-34.6%, 63.5-36.4%, 63.6%-36.3%) all exceeded the statewide Democratic margins (53.9%-45.0%, 52.7%-47.3%,and 53.3%-46.6%).

In House District 50 (HD-50), which includes the entire City of Manassas plus 8 precincts in Prince William County, Democrat Lee Carter, campaigning as a democratic socialist, unseated 11-year House of Delegates incumbent and 6-year House Majority Whip Jackson Miller.  Carter’s overall vote margin was 54.3%-45.5%.  Within the City of Manassas, Jackson Miller’s home turf, Carter won by.a 52.5%-47.4% vote margin.

Meanwhile, in Manassas Park, a 60.8%-38.9% vote margin helped Democrat Danica Roem, a former local reporter and a transgendered woman, retire 26-year Republican incumbent and notorious social conservative activist Delegate Bob Marshall to become the new state delegate from HD-13.. The overall vote margin in HD-13, which includes 15 precincts in Prince William County, was 53.4%-45.7% for Roem.

In a rematch of the 2016 special election for Manassas City treasurer, Democratic incumbent Patricia Richie-Folks defeated her second-time Republican opponent, Russell Harrison, by an even bigger margin (55.0%-44.6%) in 2017 than during the 2016 presidential election (51.2%-48.3%).

The only Democrats on our ballots to not win election in Manassas and Manassas Park were our candidates for commissioner of the revenue in each city.   Democrat Alonita Vannoy lost to Doug Waldron by a 47.8%-51.8% vote margin in Manassas, whereas Democrat James Kirkland lost to Debra Wood by a 47.7-51.7% vote margin in Manassas Park.. Considering that Vannoy and Kirkland were both first-time candidates challenging long-time incumbents for a nonpartisan office, both Democrats polled quite well.

Among the 100 House of Delegate contests statewide, the Democratic Party immediately picked up at least 15 seats on November 7, based on the initial vote counts, with three additional races nearly tied and requiring a recount. This changed the partisan balance in the Virginia House of Delegates from 66-34 Republican to no worse than 51-49 Republican. After the first recount in HD-40 was decided in favor of the Republican incumbent (Tim Hugo), the second recount in HD-94 on December 19 was determined by a court to be a tie which was broken in favor of the Republican incumbent by a random drawing.  Meanwhile, although the Republican won the recount in HD-28, affected voters sued for a new special election because of extensive ballot distribution errors on November 7.  Unfortunately, the Democrats did not pick up any additional seats before the 2018 legislative session, and the House Republicans used their two-seat majority to stack each House committee and subcommittee with at least two more Republicans than Democrats.

Among the eight House of Delegate districts within parts of Prince William County, the partisan balance has shifted from 6-2 Republican to 7-1 Democrat.  The sole Republican elected, HD-40 incumbent Tim Hugo, defeated his Democratic challenger, Donte Tanner, by just 99 votes.  In addition, the Democrats have picked up a total of four more seats in Fairfax and Loudoun Counties.  Consequently, Democrats now hold all but two seats in the House of Delegates from all of Northern Virginia.

Congratulations to all our candidates for running effective and positive campaigns for progressive change.

View the Official Election Results in the City of Manassas

View the Unofficial Election Results in the City of Manassas Park


Our 2017 Elections

Our City of Manassas Democratic Slate

View the City of Manassas sample ballot for the Nov. 7 Election

* * *

Our Manassas Park Democratic Slate, plus James Kirkland for Commissioner of the Revenue

View the Manassas Park sample ballot for the Nov. 7 Election

* * *

In November 2017, Virginians will elect a Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, and all 100 members of the Virginia House of Delegates.  Two of those 100 House of Delegate districts include the Cities of Manassas (HD-50) or Manassas Park (HD-13).  In addition, the Cities of Manassas and Manassas Park will each elect a Treasurer and a Commissioner of the Revenue, local officers whose election is specified in the Virginia Constitution.

The party nomination process for the above-mentioned offices was completed on or before the Democratic primary on June 13, 2017.  With the party nominations completed, our Democratic nominees will be campaigning to win the November 7, 2017 General Election.

The City of Manassas will also have a special election on November 7 for a school board seat now filled by an interim appointee.  School board elections are nonpartisan in Virginia; political parties may endorse, but not nominate, school board candidates.

Also, due to the death of the Clerk of the Prince William Circuit Court, Michelle McQuigg, on February 16, 2017, a special election was held on April 18 to elect a new Clerk of the Court.  Democrat Jacqueline Smith won that election. Her term will run through 2023.

Our 2017 Democratic Candidates

Governor:  Ralph Northam, Virginia’s current lieutenant governor.

Lieutenant Governor: Justin Fairfax

Attorney General:  Mark Herring, Virginia’s current attorney general, is running for re-election.

Member, House of Delegates, House District 50:  Lee Carter is running against the incumbent, Del. Jackson Miller (R).

Member, House of Delegates, House District 13:  Danica Roem is running against the incumbent, Del. Bob Marshall (R).

Manassas City Treasurer:  Patricia Richie-Folks, the current Manassas City Treasurer, will again face Russ Harrison, her Republican opponent in the 2016 Special Election.

Manassas City Commissioner of the Revenue:  Alonita Vannoy will face the incumbent, Doug Waldron (R).

Manassas Park Commissioner of the Revenue:  James T. Kirkland, Jr. is running against the incumbent Debra Wood.

Clerk of the Prince William Circuit Court:  Jacqueline Smith, our Democratic nominee, won the April 18 special election to fill the vacancy resulting from the death of the incumbent, Michele McQuigg.  Ms. Smith’s term will expire at the end of 2023.

View the City of Manassas sample ballot for the Nov. 7 Election

View the Manassas Park sample ballot for the Nov. 7 Election


Three of Our 2017 Voter Outreach Booths

Our Booth at Manassas Celebrate America 2017 with candidates Patricia Richie-Folks and Alonita Vannoy

Our booth at the 2017 Manassas African American Heritage Festival with candidates Danica Roem and Patricia Richie-Folks

Our booth at the 2017 Manassas Latino Festival with AG Mark Herring, State Sen. Jeremy McPike, Mayor Jeanette Rishell and candidate Lee Carter


June 13th Democratic Primary Results

The 2017 Democratic and Republican primary elections were held on Tuesday, June13.  Congratulations to the Democratic primary winners: Ralph Northam for Governor, Justin Fairfax for Lieutenant Governor, and Danica Roem for House of Delegates District 13.

We also commend those Democratic candidates who did not win their primaries, including Tom Perriello for Governor, Gene Rossi and Susan Platt for Lieutenant Governor and Mansimran Kahlon, Steve Jansen, and Andrew Adams for House of Delegates District 13 for all running strong, positive, and progressive issue-focused campaigns.

June 13, 2017 Democratic Primary results

City of Manassas results for June 13, 2017 Democratic Primary

City of Manassas Park results for June 13, 2017 Democratic Primary


Jacqueline Smith Wins April 18, 2017 Special Election for Clerk of the Prince William County Circuit Court!

Congratulations to Democrat Jacqueline Smith for winning the April 18, 2017 special election for the vacant Clerk of the Prince William County Circuit Court position against Republican state delegate Jackson Miller (HD-50). 

With 100 percent of the vote counted, Jacqueline Smith has out polled Jackson Miller by nearly 54% to 46%, winning 2,031 more votes out of the 25,785 votes cast.

Candidate                               Total  (Percent )

Jacqueline C. Smith                13,908 (53.92%)

Jackson Hunter Miller              11,877 (46.05%)

Overall election results for the April 18, 2017 special election

Election results for City of Manassas voters

Election results for Manassas Park voters

Election results for Prince William County voters

This victory belongs to everyone who knocked doors, called voters, and/or greeted voters at the polls on behalf of Jackie’s campaign.  Although Jackson Miller received more votes than Jackie did within the City of Manassas, our work in Manassas and Manassas Park reduced Miller’s vote margins on his home turf, thereby contributing to Jackie’s victory.  The fact that Jackson Miller’s campaign outspent Jackie Smith’s campaign by at least six to one makes Jackie’s election victory all the more remarkable.

Our best wishes to our new Clerk of the Court, Jacqueline Smith!


Special Election for the Clerk of the Prince William County Circuit Court, Tuesday, April 18, 2017

Jacqueline Smith, Esquire

On April 18, Democrats in Manassas, Manassas Park, and Prince William County gave an early and clear demonstration of our resolve to defeat the regressive Trump agenda and reactionary Republican policies with Jacqueline Smith’s decisive victory in the special election on Tuesday April 18 for Clerk of the Prince William County Circuit Court.  This early special election was ordered by the judges of the Prince William Circuit Court on February 28, following the February 16th death of the previous incumbent, Michele McQuigg.

Voting on April 18 occurred at all regular polling places (including Round Elementary School in the City of Manassas) from 6:00 am to 7:00 pm.

Jacqueline Smith, Esquire, our Democratic nominee, is a practicing attorney in Woodbridge.  Jackie previously ran a strong campaign for this office in 2015, polling just 4% (3004 votes) below the Republican incumbent, the late Michele McQuigg, in a low-turnout November general election.Jackie will keep politics out of the Clerk of the Court Office and focus on genuine customer service to ensure a fair, efficient, and responsive court for everyone, regardless of race, creed, gender, immigration history, or sexual orientation.  Her opponent, Delegate Jackson Miller (HD-50), is a hard-line Republican partisan who has been the Majority whip in the Virginia House of Delegates since 2012.  Due to his position of partisan influence, Delegate Miller had amassed a huge campaign war chest funded by corporate and Republican special interests.The Clerk’s office handles many critical legal matters, including criminal and civil court records, jury duty, marriage licenses, weapons permits, probate, real estate records, and name changes.  According to Ms. Smith, the Clerk’s Office has been hostile toward some citizens based on their religion, skin color, or sexual identity.  In addition, electronic court documents and files are disorganized and can be unavailable to judges, staff, and taxpayers, and telephone inquiries are not responded to effectively.   In Virginia, the Clerk of the Court is elected for an eight-year term, and the winner of this special election can be expected to serve through 2023.

In both recent Clerk of the Court candidate debates, Jacqueline Smith clearly distinguished herself as the better prepared, professionally qualified, and thoughtful candidate.  You can judge for yourself by viewing the video recordings of the March 21st and April 4th candidate debates.

Standalone special elections are notorious for low voter turnout, so the candidate and political party that best motivated and turned out its voters won.  The Manassas & Manassas Park Democrats–partnering with the Prince William Democrats and the various local 2017 Democratic campaigns for Virginia House of Delegates seats–strongly encouraged local Democrats to actively support Jackie Smith’s campaign by participating in voter outreach activities, such as door-to-door canvasses and phone banks and by helping to fund her significant campaign expenses for voter outreach leading up to April 18.

In the six weeks leading up to April 18, Jackie Smith’s campaign organized dozens of campaign events across Prince William County and greater Manassas, and many of those events were in and near Manassas and Manassas Park and posted on this website.  .

Together, we prevailed at the ballot box on April 18.

Democrats gathered at the end of the March 6, 2017 MMPCDC meeting


Democrats Fare Well in 2016 Manassas and Manassas Park Elections

mmpcdc-victory-party-11-8-16Jeanette Rishell celebrates her election as mayor of Manassas Park with (left-to-right) Donald Shuemaker, State Senator Jeremy McPike, Hector Cendejas, and Mark Wolfe

mark-rex-pam-11-8-16Mark Wolfe, Pam Sebesky, and Rex Parr

miriam-pam-11-8-16Pam Sebesky and Miriam Paula Machado

ken-patricia-11-8-16Manassas City Council member Ken Elston hugs Manassas City Treasurer-elect Patricia Richie Folks

While the nationwide election results were dismal for Democrats, Manassas City and Manassas Park voters clearly supported practically all the Democratic candidates and issues on their November 8, 2016 election ballots.

In Manassas City, Hillary Clinton out polled Donald Trump 54.66% to 38.63%, challenger and first-time candidate LuAnn Bennett (D) bested incumbent Republican Congresswoman Barbara Comstock 54.25% to 45.30%, and the anti-union “right-to-work” state constitutional amendment was opposed 53.49% to 46.51%.  Among the citywide races, Democrat Patricia Richie-Folks won her special election for Manassas City Treasurer, defeating Republican Russell Harrison by 51.17% to 48.31%, while Mark Wolfe, Pam Sebesky, and Rex Parr–our Democratic nominees for the three available seats on the Manassas City Council–received the first, second, and fifth highest vote totals among the seven candidates listed on the ballot.  In short, three of our four local Manassas candidates (Wolfe, Sebesky, and Richie-Folks) were elected to office!   The full election results from Manassas City are posted here and here.

Manassas Park voters supported Democrats even more strongly.  Hillary Clinton received 61.24% of vote for president, while LuAnn Bennett received 59.69% of the vote for member of Congress, and the “right-to-work” constitutional amendment was opposed by 55.95%.  In the race for Manassas Park Mayor, City Council member Jeanette Rishell (D) crushed incumbent Mayor Frank Jones by 61.86% to 37.14%.  Meanwhile, our endorsed City Council candidate Donald Shuemaker–the only City Council candidate who qualified to be listed on the ballot–was elected with 3,068 votes (40.37% of all votes cast for the three available City Council seats).  Finally, among the many write-in candidates for the City Council, our Democratic endorsees Hector Cendejas and Miriam Machado placed first and second, with 1,350 votes (17.77%) and 559 votes (7.36%), respectively.  The election results to date from Manassas Park are posted here.

Congratulations to all our local 2016 candidates–Jeanette Rishell, Donald Shuemaker, Hector Cendejas, Miriam Machado, Rex Parr, Pam Sebesky, Mark Wolfe, and Patricia Richie-Folks–for their well-executed campaigns for public office.  As we build a bigger, stronger, and more effective local organization, MMPCDC looks forward to continued success at the polls in the years ahead.



Support our 2016 Democratic Candidates!

Vote Democratic
Stronger Together

Our Democratic nominees and other endorsed candidates appearing on the Manassas and Manassas Park ballots for the 2016 General Election are listed below.  Please vote the entire Democratic ticket. Every vote matters!

On the Ballot in Both Cities

President and Vice President: Democratic Party electors for

 Hillary Clinton, President hillary-in-crowd-croppedand

Tim Kaine, Vice Presidenttim-kaine-in-us-senate-cropped

U.S. Congress (10th CD)

LuAnn L. Bennett-D luann-bennett-9-22-16

City of Manassas Races*

On the ballot in Manassas City only.

Member, City Council (three seats up for election.  Seven candidates are listed on the ballot; please vote for all three Democratic nominees:)

Rexford G. Parr, Jr.

Pamela J. Sebesky

Mark D. Wolfe

parrsebeskywolfe-9-23-16

 Treasurer (for unexpired term to end December 31, 2017)

Patricia E. Richie-Folkspatricia-richie-folks-cropped-9-26-16

* The MMPCDC has not nominated any candidates, and makes no endorsements, for Manassas City Mayor or for Manassas City School Board members (four seats up for election).

View our Democratic sample ballot for the City of Manassas 2016 elections.

View the official City of Manassas 2016 sample ballot.

City of Manassas Park Races

On the ballot in Manassas Park only.

Mayor

 Jeanette M. RishellJeanette Rishell head shot

 Member, City Council (three seats up for election; Donald Shuemaker is the only candidate listed on the ballot.)

 Donald E. Shuemaker, Jr.donald-shuemaker

Hector Cendejas (write-in candidate)hector-cendejas

Miriam Paula Machado (write-in candidate)miriam-machado

View our Democratic sample ballot for the 2016 Manassas Park elections

View the official Manassas Park 2016 sample ballot.


MMPCDC Booth 2016-07-04 18.17.08Our booth at Celebrate America in downtown Manassas, July 4, 2016


2015 Campaigns for State Legislature, Commonwealth’s Attorney, and Clerk of the Court

Congratulations to all our great Democratic candidates who ran in the November 3, 2015 General Election: Jeremy McPike for Virginia State Senate, Kyle McCullough and Don Shaw for Virginia House of Delegates, Jacqueline Smith for Clerk of the Court, and Paul Ebert for Commonwealth’s Attorney!

Jeremy McPike was elected to the Virginia Senate with 53.76% of the total vote, while Paul Ebert was re-elected as our Commonwealth’s Attorney with 53.60% of the total vote.  While first-time candidates Jacqueline Smith, Don Shaw, and Kyle McCullough did not defeat their long-time incumbent Republican opponents, they ran excellent campaigns and respectively received 47.81%, 43.86%, and 41.17% of the total votes cast.

Click these links to view the General Election results for the City of Manassas and the City of Manassas Park.


Congratulations to Ken Elston for winning election to the Manassas City Council on November 4, 2014! See swearing in ceremony Ken Elston swearing in ceremony

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