Candice Bennett Latest Entry in Mt. Vernon District Supervisor Race

PHOTO: Candice Bennett is running to represent the Mt. Vernon District on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors; photo courtesy of campaign via Facebook. Photo by Concentria Studios

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Democrat Candice L. Bennett recently announced she intends to seek the Democratic nomination for the Mt. Vernon District seat on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.

In addition to Bennett, other Democrats seeking the seat include Jack Dobbyn, as well as Fairfax County Planning Commissioner Tim Sargeant and likely Dan Storck, who currently serves on the Fairfax County School Board.

Bennett plans a campaign kickoff fundraiser tonight from 5-7 p.m. at the Fireside Grill in Lorton. Tickets are $25.

Gerry Hyland, a Democrat who has held the seat since 1988, recently announced his retirement from the county board of supervisors. The Mt. Vernon District includes Lorton, Belvoir, Newington and Gunston.

“I am running for Mt. Vernon District Supervisor because I am passionate about improving our community,” Bennett said in a news release. “Over the past few years, I’ve served in a business and volunteer capacity, and I believe now is the time to take the next step to really make a difference for our district. I look forward to earning the vote of my fellow residents of the Mt. Vernon district.”

Bennett has operated a research and consulting firm based in Lorton for more than 10 years. Clients include businesses in a variety of fields including consumer electronics, financial services, academia, hospitality, industry associations and professional membership organizations.

Bennett was previously a director at Penn, Schoen and Berland, a Democratic polling firm in Washington, D.C., where she worked with a wide range of clients, including the Democratic National Committee and Tim Kaine for Lieutenant Governor.

At the same time, Bennett has volunteered and is a member of a number of professional and service organizations, including:

• Junior League of Northern Virginia (most recently as president)
• Women Presidents’ Educational Organization
• Leadership Fairfax
• Women Presidents’ Organization
• American Marketing Association
• Marketing Research Association

“As I’ve lived in the district, I’ve become familiar with many of the key issues facing our community,” she said. “As supervisor, my priorities would include education; affordable housing, especially for seniors; ensuring that the Lorton landfill fulfills its promise to open a 250-acre park; economic development and jobs; and transportation. All of these issues are critical to ensuring that the Mt. Vernon District and Fairfax County as a whole continue to thrive.”

A daughter of educators, Bennett has lived in Lorton for the last seven years with her husband, an Iraq War veteran. Prior to moving to Lorton in 2008, she lived in Kingstowne and Huntington.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in international affairs summa cum laude and a master’s degree in security policy studies, both from The George Washington University. She recently graduated from the Sorensen Campaign Training Program and had previously completed trainings with Leadership Fairfax and the Tuck Executive Education program at Dartmouth.