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Arlington board chair Libby Garvey trounced by challenger in straw poll Libby Garvey, Arlington board chair, trounced by challenger in straw poll
(35 minutes later)
The first straw poll of Arlington’s primary election season suggests that incumbent board member Libby Garvey could be in trouble — and that the upheaval that has characterized county politics for the last two years is likely to continue at least through the June 14 Democratic primary.The first straw poll of Arlington’s primary election season suggests that incumbent board member Libby Garvey could be in trouble — and that the upheaval that has characterized county politics for the last two years is likely to continue at least through the June 14 Democratic primary.
Garvey (D), who began a one-year term as chair of the Arlington County Board in January, garnered just 12 percent support in the straw poll sponsored by state Del. Alfonso Lopez (D), compared to 88 percent support for challenger Erik Gutshall. Garvey (D), who began a one-year term as chair of the Arlington County Board in January, garnered just 12 percent support in the straw poll sponsored by state Del. Alfonso Lopez (D), compared to 88 percent support for challenger Erik Gutshall.
[Garvey to face primary challenger in June][Garvey to face primary challenger in June]
Gutshall said in a victory statement that Garvey has “abandoned the progressive values on which Arlington was built.”Gutshall said in a victory statement that Garvey has “abandoned the progressive values on which Arlington was built.”
Garvey has been in trouble with the party’s base since she opposed the Columbia Pike streetcar project shortly after her election in 2012, and then supported independent John Vihstadt over a fellow Democrat in the 2014 County Board elections. Garvey has been in trouble with the party’s base since she opposed the Columbia Pike streetcar project shortly after her election in 2012 and then supported independent John Vihstadt over a fellow Democrat in the 2014 County Board elections.
Gutshall, a small business owner who serves on the county planning commission, said Garvey has offered no real transit replacement for the canceled streetcar project. He criticized her for voting to withhold millions of dollars from the county’s affordable housing investment fund, which provides low-cost loans to non-profit developers of housing for low- and moderate-earning households. Gutshall, a small business owner who serves on the county planning commission, said Garvey has offered no real transit replacement for the canceled streetcar project. He criticized her for voting to withhold millions of dollars from the county’s affordable housing investment fund, which provides low-cost loans to nonprofit developers of housing for low- and moderate-earning households.
[A year later, Columbia Pike transit still a work in progress][A year later, Columbia Pike transit still a work in progress]
In her five terms on the school board before being elected to the county board, Gutshall said, Garvey failed to plan for the enrollment boom that has engulfed the school system in recent years.In her five terms on the school board before being elected to the county board, Gutshall said, Garvey failed to plan for the enrollment boom that has engulfed the school system in recent years.
Garvey, in a phone interview, placed little importance on the straw poll results.Garvey, in a phone interview, placed little importance on the straw poll results.
She called straw polls “fun things to do” and noted that Lopez, the sponsor, “is not known to be a supporter of mine.”She called straw polls “fun things to do” and noted that Lopez, the sponsor, “is not known to be a supporter of mine.”
Garvey said she is taking her re-election campaign seriously. She has spent the past four weeks attending house parties and knocking on doors, she said, and is “very heartened” by what she hears from constituents. Garvey said she is taking her reelection campaign seriously. She has spent the past four weeks attending house parties and knocking on doors, she said, and is “very heartened” by what she hears from constituents.
Straw polls are not scientifically valid and in this one, voters had to pay to participate ($50 per person, $25 for “Young Democrats,” sponsorships also available). Lopez, the Democratic House whip, said the proceeds will go to support Democrats running for the House of Delegates. Straw polls are not scientifically valid and in this one voters had to pay to participate ($50 per person, $25 for “Young Democrats,” sponsorships also available). Lopez, the Democratic House whip, said the proceeds will go to support Democrats running for the House of Delegates.
But last year, Lopez’s straw poll correctly predicted the election of Christian Dorsey (D) to the five-member county board and Reid Goldstein to the school board.But last year, Lopez’s straw poll correctly predicted the election of Christian Dorsey (D) to the five-member county board and Reid Goldstein to the school board.
The other county board member elected last year, Katie Cristol (D), was a close third-place finisher in that straw poll.The other county board member elected last year, Katie Cristol (D), was a close third-place finisher in that straw poll.
Garvey and Gutshall will meet for their first campaign debate Wednesday at the Mad Rose Tavern in Clarendon.Garvey and Gutshall will meet for their first campaign debate Wednesday at the Mad Rose Tavern in Clarendon.