Fairfax, VAVoter Guide 2026 · not a ballot

Fairfax Mayor · Nov 3, 2026

Thomas D. "Tom" Peterson

Candidate for Mayor

13 candidates · 6 seats10 sourced positions

Thomas D. "Tom" Peterson is running for mayor of Fairfax in the Nov 3, 2026 election, against Kirsten Sides Lockhart.

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Last day to apply for a by-mail ballot · Fri, Oct 23, 2026

President and CEO of The Center for Climate Strategies and a member of the Fairfax City Council.

Campaign website
www.tom4fairfax.org

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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 Thomas D. "Tom" Peterson stands: positions on the record

Meals tax1 sourced position

  • Voted yes on setting the meals-tax rate at 4.5%, effective July 1, 2026 (passed 4-2, May 2026).

    Council votePatch · 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 moved to cancel the trail (passed 4-2).

    Council votePatch · Sep 24, 2026

Willard-Sherwood center2 sourced positions

  • Voted against all six October 2025 land-use and design approvals for the Willard-Sherwood Health and Community Center sites.

    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 for the ordinance (passed 4-2, July 2026).

    Council votePatch · Sep 24, 2026

Highlands at Mantua1 sourced position

  • Proposed postponing the Highlands at Mantua decision to Oct. 13 (failed 3-3), then voted for the rezoning and development plan (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

  • Names cost of living and fiscal responsibility as the most pressing issues, including avoiding excessive debt and unnecessary tax increases.

    “avoiding excessive debt and unnecessary tax increases”

    Own statementPatch · Sep 17, 2026

Development1 sourced position

  • Says adding housing units is not the same as having a housing strategy.

    “Adding housing units is not the same as having a housing strategy.”

    Own statementPatch · Sep 17, 2026

Role of the mayor1 sourced position

  • Describes the mayor's central responsibility as presiding over the council.

    “the Mayor's central responsibility is to preside over the City Council and help it function effectively”

    Own statementPatch · Sep 17, 2026

Also running for Mayor

All 13 Fairfax candidates →

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