ICYMI - State Senator Stella Pekarsky Announces Candidacy for VA-11

Bryan Graham
May 8
2 min read

For Immediate Release

Centreville, VA - Yesterday, State Senator Stella Pekarsky announced her candidacy for the open VA -11 seat. 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 has an unmatched resume and life experiences that make her uniquely qualified to represent VA- 11 in Congress.

Her leadership and commitment earned her the role of Chair of the Fairfax County 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. Her record of fighting for children and standing up to bullies at every level has been pivotal for their success.

As a State Senator, Stella quickly became one of the General Assembly’s most effective legislators, passing more bills than any other freshman member. 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.

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. For more information about Stella Pekarsky and her campaign, visit www.stellapekarsky.com.

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