Pelligrino enters Mason school board race

Pelligrino

Bailey’s Crossroads resident Linda Pelligrino plans to run as a Republican for the Mason District seat on the Fairfax County School Board

Pelligrino would face Democratic candidate Ricardy Anderson on the November ballot.

It’s Pelligrino’s preference to run as an independent, but she is seeking endorsement from the Fairfax County Republican Committee because, “without it, you won’t get anywhere.”

Pelligrino is running, because, “I just believe in community involvement,” she says.

She got interested in local government in 2013 when she fought the county over efforts to get rid of toxic, black mold in her apartment at Rosedale Manor, an affordable housing community. Pelligrino, who describes herself as economically and physically disabled, believes the mold exacerbated her health problems.

Her priorities in education include more support for the arts and sciences, high standards of learning, and improving academic achievement in the minority community. “I believe your talent and your intelligence is not dependent on your race. We should respect and encourage that,” she says.

Pelligrino attended George Washington University, starting as a biology major and switched to music. In her spare time, she writes reviews of classical music performances.