Candidate Profile: Chanda Choun For Arlington County Board

ARLINGTON, VA — Democrat Chanda Choun is a 33-year-old business manager and U.S. Army Reservist, who is running to fill the vacant seat on the Arlington County Board.

In the June 8 primary, voters will have a chance to decide whether Choun or Takis Karantonis will be the Democratic candidate on the Nov. 2 ballot to represent Arlington on the county board. Early voting is already underway.

Patch asked each of the candidates running in the Democratic primary to fill out the following profile:

Candidate's Name

Chanda Choun

Age (as of Election Day)

33

Position sought (mayor, city council, school board, etc.)

County Board

Party Affiliation

Democratic

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

Fort Gordon School of Information Technology

Occupation

Business Manager, Technology Professional, Army Reservist (15+ years)

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Arlington County Fiscal Affairs Advisory Commissioner

Campaign website

www.chandachoun.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

To get us free from this pandemic and achieve justice for all. Arlington needs an elected representative with managerial experience, technical skills, a thoughtful heart, and unique tenacious leadership to make sure we have a fair and livable community 20 years from now.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is COVID-19, and this is what I intend to do about it.

I intend to be aggressive with vaccine rollout to unreached populations, secure the local economy amidst the remote work revolution, and work with the School Board to get the resources needed for full in-person learning at all schools as soon as safely possible.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

As a 15-year Army Reserve veteran, business manager and technology professional, I continue to believe that I am the best person to provide missing skills and experience for local government that will lead us successfully into a post-pandemic new world.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

The current elected board has failed to get Arlington on a path that is sustainable — financially, environmentally, and socially. We’ve lost diversity of people in both race and economic class the past 20 years. We’ve lost tree cover and suffered historic neighborhood floods. We’ve raised taxes and fees on residents by thousands of dollars year-after-year to close never-ending budget gaps.

How do you think local officials performed in responding to the coronavirus? What if anything would you have done differently?

Local official performed unsatisfactorily in response to the coronavirus. I would have used my logistical military skills to create a smoother vaccine rollout; my tech skills to connect more people to the internet for school and work; my business skills to help the un- and underemployed.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

I will close the Digital Divide by declaring that all Arlingtonians will have universal access to fast, affordable internet by 2023. I will empower a Truth & Reconciliation Commission — a central citizen body with staff — to methodically examine Arlington’s past and propose restorative action for the future. I will explore revising Arlington’s almost 100-year-old government structure to become more representative and responsive.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I live in the historic, diverse Buckingham neighborhood of Arlington County, Virginia near the Ballston Metro Station and work as a senior business manager and technology professional in both the public and private sectors. I am also a part-time Army Reserve soldier with over 15 years of service, including a deployment to the Middle East and assignments with the 405th Combat Support Hospital, the 450th Civil Affairs Battalion and the United States Cyber Command at Fort Meade, Maryland. My community involvement includes being an Arlington County Fiscal Affairs Advisory Commissioner, Arlington Partnership for Children, Youth & Families Out of School Time Councilmember, Vice President of the Buckingham Community Civic Association, Delegate to the Arlington County Civic Federation, Board Director of Arlington Independent Media, Officer of the John Lyon Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3150, Parishioner of St. George’s Episcopal Church of Arlington and Volunteer in the Arlington Medical Reserve Corps.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

To love my neighbor as myself.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I am running for Arlington County Board because we need freedom from this pandemic and justice for all. Let’s get back to work, back to school, and back to living.

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Candidate Profile: Chanda Choun For Arlington County Board