District of the Year 2023

Opening Day 2023

Thanks to a daylong break in incessant late-April rain and the hard work of a fantastic group of volunteers, Opening Day 2023 went off without a hitch on Saturday, April 29.

A big announcement by Fairfax County Democratic Committee Chair Bryan Graham capped off an afternoon spent chatting with friends and learning about candidates in the June 20 primary and May endorsement process. It’ll be announced officially at the Blue Fairfax Dinner on May 5: The Franconia District Democratic Committee is FCDC’s committee of the year! This is a big deal, as competition among all nine districts is fierce. Our committee last won in 2017.

This fabulous event was made possible by the hard work and generosity of many, listed here in alphabetical order: Despina Belle-Isle, Hebret Berhe, Ben Bernier, Pat Bittner, Christopher Enriquez, Janelle Hartman, Mark Heinitz, Terri Henry, Bill Ho, Nessa Holbrook, Ed Joseph, James Lee, Debbie Linick, Michael Linick, Carol Marek, Joy McManus, Mary Anne Mulligan, Liz Murphy, Tiffany Pryce, Mark Ranneberger, Kathy Rhem, Matthew Robinson, Todd Smyth, Rodrigo Soto, Jessica Spencer-Gallucci, Jaslyn Truong, Susie Warner and Diane Williams.

Special thanks go to Liz Murphy and Mark Heinitz for hosting, Debbie Linick and Liz Murphy for leading the event committee, Carol Marek for organizing the raffle and baking the cookies, Kathy Rhem for acting as master of ceremonies, and Janelle Hartman for her excellent photography!

To see more photos from Opening Day, please visit our Facebook page!

Straw poll results

Sixty-five ballots were submitted in the first straw poll conducted by our committee in memory.
Senate District 35
Marsden 43 – 70.5%
Drauschak 18 – 29.5%
Chair, Board of Supervisors
McKay 53 – 93%
Downing 4 – 7%
Commonwealth’s Attorney
Descano – 56 – 90%
Nuttall 6 – 10%
Sheriff
Kincaid 42 – 71%
Garcia 17 – 29%
School Board at large
McDaniel – 33 – 21% – winner
McElveen – 25 – 16%
Moon – 43 – 27% – winner
Munir 20 – 13%
Webb – 37 – 23% – winner
 
Soil & Water Conservation District directors
Barakat – 25 – 30% -winner
Bitterli – 29 – 35% – winner
Koerner – 24 – 29% – winner
Paulet – 6 – 7%

Thank you, sponsors!

Beyond the Grand Slam ($1,000+)
Franconia District Supervisor Rodney Lusk

Grand Slam ($500)
U.S. Representative Don Beyer, 8th District
State Senator Scott Surovell, 34th District
State Senator Dave Marsden, 35th District
Delegate Mark Sickles, 17th District

Home Run ($250)
Delegate Kathy Tran, 18th District
Janet Quinn

Triple ($100)
Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano
Heidi Drauschak, State Senate candidate, 35th District
Kelvin Garcia, Sheriff candidate
Hugh Haworth
Janice Kuch
Debra & Michael Linick
Carol Marek
Mary Anne Mulligan & Ed Joseph
Liz Murphy & Mark Heinitz