Fairfax City Council · Nov 3, 2026
Rachel M. McQuillen
Candidate for City Council (incumbent)
Rachel M. McQuillen, the incumbent, is running for Fairfax City Council in the Nov 3, 2026 election; 11 candidates are running for 6 seats.
Last day to apply for a by-mail ballot · Fri, Oct 23, 2026
Small-business owner and Fairfax City Council member since January 2025. Served on the Fairfax City School Board before joining the council.
- How the press groups them
- Part of the "Common Ground" group of candidates coordinating their campaigns, with Thomas D. "Tom" Peterson, Stacy R. Hall, Rachel M. McQuillen, Susan Hartley Kuiler, Jessica L. Lough and Steve S. Chang, as reported by Patch. Patch · Aug 20, 2026
- Campaign website
- RachelforFairfax.com
Patch reports that Thomas D. "Tom" Peterson, Stacy R. Hall, Rachel M. McQuillen, Susan Hartley Kuiler, Jessica L. Lough and Steve S. Chang are coordinating their campaigns as a "Common Ground" group. Patch · Aug 20, 2026
Where Rachel M. McQuillen stands: positions on the record
Meals tax2 sourced positions
Voted no on setting the meals-tax rate at 4.5%, effective July 1, 2026 (passed 4-2, May 2026).
Council votePatch · Sep 24, 2026
Statement entered into the May 5, 2026 council minutes, as quoted by Patch.
Said in a statement entered into the May 5, 2026 minutes that she does not believe it is the right place or time to increase this tax.
“But I do not believe this is the right place, or the right time, to increase this particular tax.”
Own statementPatch · Sep 24, 2026
George Snyder Trail1 sourced position
Voted against appropriating an additional $4.6 million for George Snyder Trail (failed 3-3, January 2026), then voted to cancel the trail (passed 4-2).
Council votePatch · Sep 24, 2026
Willard-Sherwood center2 sourced positions
Voted against five of the six October 2025 land-use and design approvals for the Willard-Sherwood sites and for the certificate of appropriateness for the city site at 3740 Blenheim Blvd.
Council votePatch · Sep 24, 2026
Voted in April 2026 to proceed with construction, excluding the optional performing-arts renovation and addition at Sherwood (passed unanimously).
Council votePatch · Sep 24, 2026
Accessory dwelling units1 sourced position
Voted to postpone the accessory dwelling unit ordinance until Sept. 8 (deferral failed 3-3), then voted against the ordinance (passed 4-2, July 2026).
Council votePatch · Sep 24, 2026
Highlands at Mantua1 sourced position
Voted to postpone the Highlands at Mantua decision to Oct. 13 (failed 3-3), then voted against the rezoning and the design certificate (each approved 4-2, September 2026).
Council votePatch · Sep 24, 2026
Budget1 sourced position
Voted for the fiscal 2026 budget (May 2025) and the fiscal 2027 budget (May 2026); both passed unanimously.
Council votePatch · Sep 24, 2026
Taxes and spending1 sourced position
Lists a citywide efficiency audit, cost transparency and long-term financial plans among her spending priorities.
“Complete the citywide efficiency audit, improve cost transparency, and require long-term financial plans before committing taxpayers to major projects.”
Own statementPatch · Sep 16, 2026
Development1 sourced position
Says she will oppose projects with unresolved infrastructure or safety concerns or designs that do not respect the surrounding community.
“I will oppose projects when serious infrastructure or safety concerns remain unresolved or when the scale and design fail to respect the surrounding community.”
Own statementPatch · Sep 16, 2026
What Rachel M. McQuillen said vs. how Rachel M. McQuillen voted
Meals tax
In their words
Said in a statement entered into the May 5, 2026 minutes that she does not believe it is the right place or time to increase this tax.
Sep 24, 2026 ·Statement entered into the May 5, 2026 council minutes, as quoted by Patch. ·Patch · Sep 24, 2026
On the record
Voted no on setting the meals-tax rate at 4.5%, effective July 1, 2026 (passed 4-2, May 2026).
Sep 24, 2026 ·Patch · Sep 24, 2026
Also running for City Council
- Anthony T. Amos (incumbent)
- Sandi W. Slappey Brown
- Steve S. Chang
- Stacy R. Hall (incumbent)
- Russell A. Jones
- Stephen S. Kim
- Susan Hartley Kuiler
- Jessica L. Lough
- Kelly M. O'Brien
- María José Padmore
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