Swanson plans run for school board

Swanson

Jessica Swanson has announced plans to run for the Mason District seat on the Fairfax County School Board.

Sandy Evans, who has held that position for nearly 10 years is not seeking re-election when her term ends next year.

Swanson, the director of budget strategy for the District of Columbia Public Schools, is seeking the Mason District Democratic Committee’s endorsement for the school board.

She previously taught middle school social studies at a public school in D.C. She has a doctorate in education from the University of Virginia and a certificate in education finance from Georgetown University.

Swanson was active in the fight to remove the Confederate name from JEB Stuart High School and the effort to raise funds for the new name, Justice High School. She has also served as the Mason District appointee to a school board advisory committee and as a leader in the Ravenwood Park Citizens Association. She was in the 2018 class of Emerge Virginia, an organization that trains women Democratic candidates.

In 2015, Swanson unsuccessfully challenged Mason Supervisor Penny Gross in a Democratic primary.

“Great communities have great schools, and improving schools has been the focus of my professional career and much of my advocacy in Mason District,” Swanson says. “As a school board member, I will advocate for our students and families to ensure our students get the opportunity for an excellent education, no matter their background.”

Swanson has been endorsed by state Sen. Dick Saslaw, Del. Kaye Kory, and former U.S. Rep. Leslie Byrne.