Get Your Vote On: Braddock School Board Special Election

Special Election: Learn more Here!

You may have noticed that there are special elections around Virginia after so many wonderful elected officials have been appointed to Governor Abigail Spanberger’s cabinet. Here in Fairfax County, we have an open School Board seat, after Rachna Sizemore Heizer won the Braddock District Board of Supervisor seat vacated by James Walkinshaw. There is a special election for her vacated seat on the school board.

In person voting runs at select locations from 1/16-2/28/26 and election day on March 3, 2026. See more information at Fairfax County Elections here. You can vote at the following locations on the following dates below:

• Weekdays, January 16 through February 27 (8:00 am to 4:30 pm) @Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Pkwy, Fairfax

• Saturdays, February 21 and February 28 (9:00 am to 5:00 pm) @Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Pkwy, Fairfax @Burke Centre Library, 5935 Freds Oak Rd, Burke Centre.

• Weekdays, February 23 through February 27 (1 pm to 7 pm) @Burke Centre Library, 5935 Freds Oak Rd, Burke Centre.

• Tuesday, March 3, 2026, Election Day (6:00 am to 7:00 pm) *Vote at your regular polling location*

There are two candidates for Braddock School Board non-partisan position.

• Tom Dannan is endorsed by the Fairfax Democrats after winning a competitive Democratic caucus. Earlier this month, I had an hour-long conversation with Mr. Dannan during which he shared his vision for the Braddock district, which included safe, inclusive schools, and a community with great educational opportunities for all students. 

  • Mr. Dannan has children who currently attend FCPS.

  • He has never run for public office before, but has been elected PTA President where he nearly doubled membership in the first year and increased fundraising by over 40% in the second year. 

  • His website and his many endorsements can be found here. 

• Saundra Davis is running as an independent. Her signature collection was facilitated by the Braddock District GOP, and she appears to be endorsed by the Fairfax GOP. I have been blocked from Ms. Davis’s campaign Facebook page after being berated by her friends and supporters, and have had poor interactions with her campaign manager, Cameron Ward, at a September Winsome Sears event outside the Fairfax County School Board.

  • Ms. Davis has no children currently in FCPS.

  • Shas ran and lost for at-large School Board in 2023 and Delegate VA15 in 2025 as a Fairfax GOP endorsed candidate. She ran an unsuccessful effort to recall three Fairfax County school board members in 2021. A judge ruled one of the recall petitions “not based on facts establishing probable cause for removal.” 

  • Her website and associated endorsements can be found here.

It is important to know how a candidate treats their constituents, so it feels timely to share a harrowing story from last fall about a local Moms Demand Action volunteer’s terrifying interaction with one of the above-mentioned candidates at a Braddock district elementary school. It is a reminder that one must know both the positions and personality of the people running for school board, because school board members are in charge of children, families, and staff. Finally, they need to be able to treat people with dignity, safety, and respect.  

NOTE: 4 Public Education feels that relevant facts and events should be reported when they pertain to the safety and security of our neighbors, but is not providing an endorsement in this race.