Descano announces re-election bid

Steve Descano, Fairfax County’s commonwealth’s attorney, announced Jan. 12 that he plans to seek re-election.

“I’m proud of the great strides my office has taken in creating a criminal justice system where safety and justice go hand in hand and look forward to building on our success,” Descano said.

He cited some of his accomplishments since he took office in 2020: creating diversion programs that reduce crime, using data to undo racial and socioeconomic disparities, and restructuring the office around victim-centered prosecution.

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One of the first reforms Descano implemented was to stop seeking cash bail, as that practice unfairly favors defendants who can afford to pay.  

Rather than request cash bail, Descano directs prosecutors in his office to make pre-trial detention recommendations based on whether a defendant poses a danger to the community.

A bond data dashboard set up by the commonwealth’s attorney’s office shows, in a majority of cases, judges have ordered the pre-trial release of offenders while Descano recommended detention.

“Every day my office continues the important work to give our community a justice system that reflects our values while keeping Fairfax County the safest jurisdiction of its size anywhere in the country, he said.

According to Descano, crime has fallen by almost 10 percent during his time as commonwealth’s attorney.

In other political news, Fairfax County School board member and former chair Stella Pekarsky (Sully) announced her intention Jan. 12 to seek the Democratic nomination to represent the 36th District in the Virginia Senate.

Pekarsky said “It is critical that we protect abortion access, high-quality public education, expanded voting rights, champion climate change solutions, and stand up for our progressive values.”

The redrawn 36th District includes Chantilly, Centreville, and Clifton. She will face Sen. George Barker in the Democratic Primary.

School board members Karl Frisch (Providence) and Melanie Meren (Hunter Mill) both announced plans to run for re-election. Elaine Tholen (Dranesville) will not run again.

The other school board members, including Ricardy Anderson (Mason), have not announced whether they will seek re-election.