Early Voting Has Begun
Thomas D. “Tom” Peterson
City Council Member • City Resident Since 2002 • 44 Years Experience
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Voting for Fairfax’s next mayor is underway now at City Hall and absenteeballots have been mailed. Please vote or make a plan to vote soon!
As you consider this important choice, I want to share why I am running for Mayor andwhat I believe is at stake in this election.
My family and I have called Fairfax home for the past 24 years. We love this communityand hope to stay for the rest of our lives. Serving you on City Council has only strengthened my belief that Fairfax is a special place with an extraordinary future — ifwe make thoughtful decisions now.
Our choices in the next few years on taxes and spending, growth and development, ourenvironment, public safety, schools, infrastructure, and City services will shape Fairfaxfor decades. For these to reflect the City we want, we need experienced, independentleadership that listens carefully, thinks ahead, brings people together, and keepsresidents at the center of our decisions.
A Record of Results
Since taking office, I have maintained 100% attendance at City Council meetings, worksessions, special meetings, and planning sessions. I have worked hard to listen todifferent viewpoints, examine the facts, and deliver results for Fairfax.
Among the results of my work with other Council Members:
Protected approximately 100 acres — most of our city'sremaining natural forest.
Reduced the taxpayer cost of the Willard-Sherwood community center by 55% without sacrificing service or quality.
Strengthened public safety, including supporting the Pickett Road Safety Studyand the prohibition of firearms at City events.
Pressed for fiscal responsibility, including lower tax rates than originallyproposed, greater efficiency, and protection of essential City services andinfrastructure.
Priorities for Our City
Cost of Living and Fiscal Responsibility. Housing, energy, taxes, transportation, andeveryday costs are putting increasing pressure on residents. City government can'tcontrol every cost, but we can carefully manage those we influence. I'll continue toscrutinize spending and major investments, protect essential services and support forcitizens, help households and businesses control their everyday costs wherepossible, and always ask: Are we leaving anyone behind? Are our residents getting the best possible value for their money?
Carefully Balanced Growth. Growth and redevelopment are important, but they shouldstrengthen our city, not overwhelm it. Before pursuing the 4,700 new high-densityhousing units identified in the Small Area Plans, we should carefully evaluate the effectson housing and commercial needs, traffic and road safety, schools, public safety, theenvironment, City finances, and our quality of life. As we update these older plans,residents deserve a stronger role in shaping our city’s future.
A Safe, Strong, and Healthy Community. Excellent schools, safe neighborhoods andstreets, reliable City services, parks, transportation, infrastructure, and a safeguardedenvironment are all essential to our quality of life. We should protect what works andstrengthen what needs attention.
Experience to Lead
I bring 44 years’ experience working with governments, businesses, nonprofitorganizations, and communities to solve difficult problems and bring peopletogether. My career has included service at the White House, U.S. EPA, U.S.Senate, and a regional investment bank. Today, I lead a national nonprofitenvironmental policy group, manage a small business, and teach at Johns HopkinsUniversity and George Mason University.
For me, leadership starts with caring about our community:
Listen carefully. Think independently. Work collaboratively. Deliver results.
You elected me to City Council in 2024. I have worked hard to earn your trust. Now I'masking for the opportunity to serve you as Mayor — Ready to Lead on Day One,bringing people together, finding common ground, and keeping one question at thecenter of my leadership:
What is best for the people of Fairfax?
I respectfully ask for your vote for Mayor.
But I also need your help. This is a community campaign, and there are threeimportant ways you can help between now and Election Day: volunteer with ourcampaign at the polls, join us for neighborhood canvassing, or make acontribution to help us reach more Fairfax voters. Even a few hours of your time — ora contribution of any size — will help.
I have responded to several 2026 candidate questionnaires. Read my questionnaire responses here.
Please join us through “Get Involved” at www.tom4fairfax.org or text/call me at 571-354-7067.
Thank you for your support — and, most importantly, for caring about the future of ourcommunity.
Warmly,
Tom Peterson
Councilmember and Candidate for Mayor