Supervisor candidate Jeremy Allen is big on constituent services
Constituent services is one of the top priorities of Jeremy Allen, a candidate for Mason District supervisor.
If elected, he intends to meet residents where they are – in their neighborhoods and at places like coffee shops, community centers, and schools – not just in government buildings.
That’s something that would come easy to Allen, as he works in Rep. Don Beyer’s Fairfax County office on outreach and constituent services. In that role, does everything from helping veterans get benefits to helping small businesses get Covid relief funds.
A full-time job
If elected, Allen would be a full-time supervisor, he told residents at a community chat on April 1 at George Mason Regional Library in Annandale. “A supervisor has to be on the clock full-time. Supervisors are public servants. It’s their job to represent the people.”
Allen will face three other candidates vying in the Democratic Primary on June 20 for a spot on the November ballot. Early voting for the primary starts May 5 at the Fairfax County Government Center.
While other candidates are looking for endorsements from elected leaders, Allen has been focusing on listening to residents’ concerns at community meetings and knocking on voters’ doors. [Beyer has not endorsed any supervisor candidate.]
A native of Beaumont, Texas, Allen developed a program to provide educational services to youths with disabilities. The state of Texas later hired him as a contractor, and he advised agencies in other countries on economic issues, including talent retention. After relocating to Northern Virginia eight years ago, he worked with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation.
Support for homeownership
Affordable homeownership is another key priority, which Allen says is informed “by my lived experience.”
Allen was fortunate to be able to purchase a townhome in the Bren Mar community under Fairfax County’s Workforce Dwelling Unit Homebuyer Program.
He would like to expand that program to ensure more working people, especially firefighters and teachers, can own a home near where they work – rather than face long commutes from outside Fairfax County.
And while Allen supports more opportunities for affordable rental housing, he believes it should be spread throughout the county and be located in areas near Metro. “Some people say too much affordable housing is concentrated in Mason District,” he said. “I definitely agree with that.”
Residents need a voice
Allen isn’t opposed to redevelopment but thinks it should meet the needs of existing residents.
A case in point is a proposal to rezone Plaza 500, an industrial site on Edsall Road, to permit a data center. As one of the leaders of a group opposing the project, Allen helped mobilize five HOAs with 875 residents to form the Save Bren Mar campaign. They learned the Starwood Capital Group overpaid by $100 million to purchase the property to develop a large data center.
Data centers are noisy, use lots of energy, and emit pollution, the residents charged. They were also concerned a data center would depress property values and close the door to more positive future development.
Related story: Andres Jimenez wins straw poll for Mason District supervisor
The residents won for the time being – in 2022, the Planning Commission agreed to Starwood’s request to defer the project indefinitely – but the proposal could resurface at any time.
What Allen learned from that experience is that “people want to have their concerns heard.”
“We need to protect single-family homes,” he told residents at the library. “I believe in property rights.”
When asked how Fairfax County could pay for needed projects in Mason District, such as pedestrian safety, park improvements, and the need to help transition people out of homeless shelters, Allen said he would work on getting more federal funds.
That’s where his experience on Beyer’s staff could be put to good use, he indicated. “We need a passionate advocate who understands how government works.”
I’d appreciate it if candidates dressed for the job. In the picture above, Mr. Allen is unshaven, wearing a t-shirt under a blazer. He looks like he should be in a breadline.
I’d appreciate it if people stopped judging others by whether or not they fit a pre-ordained view on how they should look. Facial hair is not a determinant of anything but fashion. Note that the shirt Mr. Allen is wearing is a campaign shirt with his name on it, like those of innumerable candidates before and after him. I only care about what candidates stand for, their record, and their ability to get things done. You know, politics.
The great thing about Mr. Allen is he knows how to fit in with everyone even if it takes dressing down. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting him years ago and I can say he is a man of his word. His work ethics is inclusive of genuine love and care for all people. With his experience the people of this county is sure to gain a mighty force tanasity and know how. Finally when you look at his family life he has proven to be a living husband and father. Blessings Jeremy
Jeremy Allen went door-to-door in our neighborhood. We had a very helpful chat about his policy positions. He is thoughtful and frankly, I think that based on his positions, he’s the best candidate for Mason District Supervisor. As to the comment about his facial hair, I’d suggest anyone concerned about that find a five-dollar bill and take a close look at the picture on the front.
The $5, the $50, and some pictures are so ugly on money (facial hair or not), it doesn’t matter. The old saying is that politics is “Hollywood” for ugly people.
Cannot vote for someone from a party that thinks men can have babies
Please tell me where in the Democratic Party charter it says that males can make babies? Such a scientific discovery could be earth shattering.
Yea!! Only vote for the party that believes virgin women can have babies.
I need to learn more on this candidate and still researching all candidates, but after a quick look at his positions on his web site, and reading his biography there are some potential concerns. He clearly has and advertises his experience with using government benefits, making sure others do to, and creating new ones; plus special interest politics or organizing for such and little apparent private sector economic experience. Clearly supports expansive government intervention given that is the bulk of his experience has been dependent on that, which typically means more taxes. Regardless, he deserves a fair look for joining the campaign.
Government works for the people when we elect people who want it to work — and know how to make it work. Mr. Allen’s government experience is a plus.