Braddock District Representative-elect Rachna Sizemore Heizer recites the oath of office during a swearing-in ceremony at the Fairfax County Government Center in Fairfax, Tuesday, Dec. 16. (Fairfax County)
Fairfax County Circuit Court Judge Stephen C. Shannon administered the oath of office to Braddock District Supervisor-elect Rachna Sizemore Heizer on Tuesday, Dec. 16, at the Fairfax County Government Center. Sizemore Heizer makes history as the first Asian American to serve on the Board of Supervisors and is only the fourth person to represent the Braddock District since 1991.
The following lines capture her themes of stewardship, inclusive advocacy, and faith in local government during her remarks as the newly sworn-in supervisor.
“I will listen. I will fight for all that may be seen and heard. I will lead with empathy, and I will refuse to leave anybody behind, because it's happened to my family and I won't let it happen to you,” she told the audience.
“Today is not about one person, it is about stewardship, about caring for this community that we love so much. … Thank you for believing that local government can still be a force for good, and when we see so much in the world, it doesn't feel good. This place right here is where the good happens.”
Speaking with her son Jake’s permission, Sizemore Heizer reflected on his life with autism, highlighting both his struggles and his optimism. “I learned firsthand how we dismiss people and how hard families must fight to be seen, heard and supported,” she noted. “Advocating for him showed me how systems can fail people and how one person can change the way we think and the way we perceive the world.”
Sizemore Heizer, a former Fairfax County School Board member and chair of the Board’s Budget Committee, joins Supervisors Dalia Palchik, Kathy Smith and Daniel Storck as board members with school governance experience. This "alumni connection" will be critical as the Board addresses the projected $131.5 million budget gap for fiscal year 2027, a combined figure for the county government and school system.
The swearing-in fills a vacancy created when James Walkinshaw resigned in September to join the U.S. Congress as successor to the late Gerry Connolly. Sizemore Heizer, who has lived in Burke since 2001, now moves from requesting school funds to joining the 10-member Board of Supervisors in overseeing the $5 billion county budget.
Sizemore Heizer campaigned on a “Smart Economy” platform. A University of California, Berkeley–trained attorney and professor of employment law, she plans to recruit AI, cybersecurity and life-science firms to fill vacant commercial space and diversify the tax base.
“Affordability is my top priority in building a strong local economy so that we're not reliant on the federal government, taking pressure off taxpayers and maintaining our excellent schools,” Sizemore Heizer stated in her campaign platform. Her website cites goals of expanding housing options and protecting green spaces.
Her first 60 days include three key budget milestones: on Jan. 22, 2026, FCPS Superintendent Michelle Reid will release the proposed school budget; on Feb. 17, the County Executive will release the advertised county budget; and on Feb. 24, Sizemore Heizer will join the Joint County/Schools Budget Committee meeting to negotiate the funding gap she identified in November.
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Path to Filling the School Board Vacancy
Because Rachna Sizemore Heizer was sworn in to the Board of Supervisors on Dec. 16, her Braddock District School Board seat is officially vacant. To ensure the district remains represented, the School Board will begin a two-step process.
The Interim Appointment
Under Virginia Code § 24.2-228, the board has 45 days to appoint an interim representative. This appointee must be a qualified voter and a resident of the Braddock District at the time of the appointment. Under Virginia Code § 22.1-29.1, the board must hold at least one public hearing at least seven days before making the appointment to allow for community input.
The Special Election
The School Board must petition the Fairfax County Circuit Court for a "writ of election" within 15 days of the vacancy occurring, making the deadline Dec. 31. Because Virginia law prohibits holding a special election within 55 days of a primary, and a primary is scheduled for June 16, 2026, the board is expected to target a date in late winter or early spring. The winner will serve the remainder of the original term through December 31, 2027.
Early Interest
The race is already taking shape. Two residents have publicly announced their intention to seek the Democratic endorsement: Tom Dannan, a former Terra Centre Elementary School PTA president, and Alexa Krezel, the current president of the Woodson High School Orchestra Boosters. As of Dec. 16, the Fairfax County Republican Committee has not announced a prospective endorsee for the nonpartisan seat.
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