Great Falls Classifieds, Page 14 Classifieds, v Honors Veterans News, Page 14 Entertainment, Page 12 The Langley Madrigals sing at v the Veterans Day ceremony at Freedom Memorial in Great Falls with a number of patriotic songs. Opinion, Page 6 HomeLifeStyle Page, 9 Requested in home 11-14-19 home in Requested Republican Requiem material. sensitive Time Election 2019, Page 3 Postmaster: Attention ECR WSS ECR Postal Customer Postal permit #322 permit Easton, MD Easton, Flags for Heroes PAID U.S. Postage U.S. News, Page 8 STD PRSRT Photo by Olivia Anello/The Connection by Olivia Anello/The Photo November 13-19, 2019 online at www.connectionnewspapers.com 2 ❖ Great Falls Connection ❖ November 13-19, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Connection Editor Kemal Kurspahic News 703-778-9414 or [email protected] Democrats take General Assembly, sweep Fairfax School Board; Republican Herrity Republican Requiem holds on in Springfield district. By Michael Pope The Connection t wasn’t all that long ago that North- ern Virginia had its own breed of Re- Ipublicanism. People like U.S. Rep. Tom Davis (R-11), U.S. Sen. John Warner and Del. Dave Albo (R-42). Now, after a series of stunning defeats since the election of Donald Trump to the White House, Northern Virginia Republicans are a dying breed, with moderates bowing out or being voted out. “Donald Trump is the gift that keeps on giving,” said Del. Mark Keam (D-35) dur- Photo by Michael Pope ing a raucous victory rally in Richmond. Republicans haven’t won a statewide victory since “Virginians want Democrats to be in charge, 2009, and now that Democrats have seized control of Photo @PatHerrity via Twitter and Donald Trump was the factor that led the House of Delegates and state Senate, Gov. Ralph Pat Herrity (R-Springfield) with his wife Nancy after us to where we are.” Northam declared Virginia “officially blue” at a voting on Tuesday. Herrity will be the lone remaining Two years ago, Democrats picked up 15 raucous victory party in Richmond Tuesday night. Republican in elected office in Fairfax County. seats in the House of Delegates and un- seated longtime incumbents like Jim cumbent Republican Supervisor Pat Herrity for Gun Safety and Moms Demand Action, LeMunyon (R-67). Last year, Democrats was able to eke out a narrow victory against “It’s guns. It’s the years of you’re going to get action.” took control of the U.S. House of Represen- Democratic challenger Linda Sperling. tatives and voted out U.S. Rep. Barbara “We have a clear message that the resi- trying to make it harder to ONE OF THE REASONS why Northern Comstock (R-10). This week, Democrats dents of the Springfield District want some- vote. It’s restrictions on Virginia no longer has its own brand of Re- flipped two seats in the state Senate and one who shares their common sense con- publicanism is its changing demographics. six seats in the House of Delegates, includ- servative values to have a seat at the table,” women’s health care and Over the last decade, the region has become ing Democratic challenger Dan Helmer un- said Herrity. “The Springfield District wants more urban and more diverse. That’s led to seating longtime incumbent Del. Tim Hugo Fairfax County to be a place where every- their privacy.” a changing sense of what its voters want (R-40). one can become successful.” — Del. Charniele Herring (D-46) on from elected officials in the General Assem- “Dan Helmer won because voters in bly, and Democrats say that’s why Republi- Fairfax and Prince William want a repre- DEMOCRATS HAVEN’T controlled the why Republicans lost control of the cans have been expelled from power. sentative that doesn’t stand in the way of House of Delegates since the late 1990s, a General Assembly “When you get out of touch with constitu- progress,” said Jessica Post, president of the time when Republicans have been able to ents, that’s what happens,” said Del. Democratic Legislative Campaign Commit- use their majority to push back efforts on At the top of that agenda is what Demo- Charniele Herring (D-46), who serves as tee. “With his long record of standing up gun control, the minimum wage and the crats call common-sense gun control. When chairwoman of the House Democratic Cau- for his community, not his party, Dan will Equal Rights Amendment. Now voters have asked which issues motivated voters this cus. “It’s guns. It’s the years of trying to make an excellent delegate and will work expelled Republicans from power in a high- year, Democrats almost universally cited the make it harder to vote. It’s restrictions on to keep Virginia moving forward.” turnout election with almost 40 percent of lack of reaction to mass shootings across women’s health care and their privacy.” After the defeat of Hugo, who served as registered voters showing up to cast a bal- Virginia and the country. Democrats are Democrats may have seized power, but chairman of the House Republican Caucus, lot compared to 29 percent in 2015. House poised to institute universal background that doesn’t mean the fighting is over yet. the Fairfax County delegation in the Gen- Democratic Leader Eileen Filler-Corn says checks, ban assault-style weapons and give They’ll still have to vote on who leads the eral Assembly will have zero Republicans. that’s a mandate for change. judges authority to confiscate weapons from party when they gavel into session this year, Voters in Fairfax also rejected Republican- “Without a doubt, the House candidates people who raise red flags. and that could mean a fight to become backed candidates for the School Board. have offered Virginia a progressive and in- “Tomorrow the work begins, and the Speaker of the House when Democrats take Alexandria and Arlington haven’t had any clusive future,” said House Democratic people want to see results,” said Democratic control for the first time in 20 years. Filler- elected Republicans for years. The last foot- Leader Eileen Filler-Corn, who is a leading Senate Leader Dick Saslaw, who is expected Corn might be the obvious choice, but she hold the GOP has in Northern Virginia is candidate to be the next speaker. “And guess to lead the caucus next year. “They want to already has opposing from Del. Lashrecse the Springfield District, where longtime in- what? You, the voters, said yes.” see gun violence curtailed, and Everytown Aird (D-63). Election Results, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2019 Unofficial election results as of Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2019 For more results see ment bonds in the maximum aggregate principal www.elections.virginia.gov/2019-election- amount of $360,000,000 for the purposes of pro- results/ viding funds, in addition to funds from school Commonwealth’s Attorney Hunter Mill District bonds previously authorized, to finance, including Steve T. Descano (D) 166,103 60.86% Walter L. Acorn (D) unopposed 27,326 94.46% The Virginia House of Delegates and reimbursement to the County for temporary financ- Jonathan L. Fahey (I) 106,016 38.84% Lee District Senate both will be controlled by Democrats. ing for, the costs of school improvements, including Sheriff Rodney L. Lusk (D) unopposed 20,993 95.58% In the Senate, Virginia voters elected 21 acquiring, building, expanding and renovating Democrats and 18 Republicans with one seat Stacey Ann Kincaid (D) 201,112 78.07% properties, including new sites, new buildings or Christopher F. De Carlo (I) 53,458 20.75% Mason District still undecided. In the House, 55 Democrats additions, renovations and improvements to exist- Penelope A. “Penny” Gross (D) incumbent and 45 Republicans. Both House and Senate ing buildings, and furnishing and equipment, for Board of Supervisors, 15,007 63.65% were controlled by Republicans before with the Fairfax County public school system? District Representatives Gary N. Aiken (R) 8,468 35.92% slim margins. YES 204,200 77.38% Braddock District NO 59,702 22.62% James R. Walkinshaw (D) 18,437 59.63% Mount Vernon District SCHOOL BOND BALLOT QUESTION S. Jason Remer (R) 10,543 34.10% Daniel G. “Dan” Storck (D) incumbent, Carey Chet Campbell (I) 1,847 5.97% unopposed 23,505 94.27% This is the text of the public school bond CANDIDATES, FAIRFAX COUNTY question: Chairman, Board of Supervisors Dranesville District Shall Fairfax County, Virginia, contract a Jeffrey C. McKay (D) 175,028 65.99% John W. Foust (D) incumbent 20,437 64.36% See Election Results, Page 14 debt, borrow money, and issue capital improve- Joseph F. Galdo (R) 89,315 33.68% Ed. R. Martin (R) 11,227 35.36% www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Great Falls Connection ❖ November 13-19, 2019 ❖ 3 News Photos by Olivia Anello/The Connection The audience applauds as all veterans at the ceremony were recognized. All those who were able stood for the Pledge of Allegiance. A touching ceremony held at the Great Falls Honors Veterans Freedom Memorial. By Olivia Anello The Connection t was a beautiful fall morning on Mon- day, as many gathered to celebrate IVeterans Day at the Great Falls Free- dom Memorial. The morning cer- emony was conducted by Andy Wilson, President of Friends of the Great Falls Free- dom Memorial. Wilson reminded guests why we celebrate Veterans Day, which is because the Armi- stice was signed at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. The Armi- stice was a proclamation signed by Presi- dent Woodrow Wilson, that celebrated the gratitude of victory and the heroic lives that served in World War I.