Political parties organize and fund firehouse primary elections, allowing for more efficient nominations, greater control over the nomination process, and potentially higher voter turnout. In Virginia, these primaries occur outside of the November general election. Due to a shorter timeframe, they typically have fewer polling locations and shorter voting hours than state-run elections. In addition, unlike a publicly funded election, an unassembled caucus has party rules that voters must adhere to. 

Connolly's family released a statement honoring his life and service: "It is with immense sadness that we share that our devoted and loving father, husband, brother, friend and public servant, Congressman Gerald E. Connolly, passed away peacefully at his home this morning surrounded by family," a statement from his family read. "Gerry lived his life to give back to others and make our community better. He looked out for the disadvantaged and voiceless. He always stood up for what is right and just."  U.S. Representative and Northern Virginia’s beloved, Gerald "Gerry" Connolly, a stalwart of Northern Virginia politics and a dedicated public servant, passed away on May 21, 2025, at the age of 75. He died peacefully at his home in Fairfax, surrounded by family, after a battle with esophageal cancer.

The George Mason women's basketball program stands at what appears to be the dawn of a golden era.​ Under Blair-Lewis's leadership, they've transformed from a struggling program into a conference contender, with their current 13-3 record. She systematically rebuilt a struggling program in just three years. From a team that won just three games in 2020-21, Mason has evolved into a formidable force, setting program records with 23 regular season wins and 14 Atlantic 10 victories in 2023-24.

Fairfax County is grappling with an unprecedented data center expansion that threatens to reshape our community's character and financial well-being. While the tech industry touts economic benefits, the realities of unconstrained data center growth present mounting challenges for residents, from soaring electricity costs to quality-of-life concerns. As neighboring jurisdictions like Loudoun and Prince William counties struggle with the consequences of rapid data center development, Fairfax finds itself at a critical juncture where decisions made today will impact our community for generations to come.