Meet Stella

Stella Pekarsky is a mom of six, Virginia State Senator, former educator, and experienced public servant running to represent Virginia's 11th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Raised in a working-class immigrant family, Stella brings a deep, personal understanding of the challenges families face—along with a proven record of standing up to entrenched interests and delivering real results.

Stella's family (with 5 of her 6 children)

After earning a Master’s degree in Education from George Mason University, Stella began teaching full time in Fairfax County Public Schools. She and her husband settled in Centreville, where they started a family and launched a small business. Stella’s journey in public service began when she flipped a Republican-held seat on the Fairfax County School Board, representing the Sully District. There, she quickly established herself as a tireless advocate for students, educators, and public education.

Her leadership and commitment earned her the role of Chair of the School Board, where she led the fight against Governor Glenn Youngkin’s attempts to politicize Virginia classrooms. Whether defending inclusive curriculum, opposing discriminatory policies, or protecting local control from state overreach, Stella stood firm against the MAGA agenda—ensuring Fairfax schools remained focused on learning, equity, and students’ well-being.

In 2023, Stella brought that same courage and conviction to her campaign for the Virginia State Senate. She defeated a career politician in the Democratic primary for the 36th District, running on a bold, grassroots platform. Her victory underscored both her deep connection to the community and her ability to take on powerful interests, even in her own party—and win.

As a State Senator, Stella has delivered meaningful progress for working families. Her legislative achievements include banning predatory hidden junk fees, leading efforts to fully fund public schools, expanding access to healthcare, protecting abortion rights in the last Southern state with reproductive freedom, fighting to expand disability rights, and standing up to MAGA book bans. Despite Governor Youngkin’s frequent use of the veto pen, she has remained a tireless advocate for reforms that improve lives and uphold Virginia’s values. During her time in Richmond, she forged strong relationships across the aisle, quickly becoming one of the General Assembly’s most effective legislators, passing more bills than any other freshman legislator.

A champion for underdogs, vulnerable communities, and those too often left without a voice, Stella Pekarsky’s campaign is grounded in the values that have guided her life and public service: investing in public education, protecting reproductive freedom, reducing gun violence, and standing up to corporate special interests. With experience as a public school teacher, School Board Chair, and State Senator, Stella is ready to bring a new generation of principled, progressive leadership to Washington—and carry forward the legacy of Congressman Gerry Connolly.

Committees and Commissions:

Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
Education and Health
Local Government
Transportation
Autism Advisory Council
Geographic Information Network Advisory Board
Joint Commission on Health Care
Online Virginia Network Authority
School Health Services Committee
Special Education and Related Services, Department of Education Advisory Committee
Virginia Commission to End Hunger

Join the fight for Virginia's Future