Equality Arlington Grades 2025 County Board General Election Candidates

Equality Arlington sent the five candidates running for County Board in the November 2025 General Election a questionnaire with five questions about issues impacting the LGBTQ+ community in Arlington, Virginia. We received responses from all candidates. The Board of Directors evaluated the candidates’ responses and provided grades for the candidates based on how well their responses demonstrate an understanding of the needs of the LGBTQ+ community and how their proposed actions or inaction would impact the LGBTQ+ community. We have also published the unedited responses of each of the candidates below.

Early voting began Friday, September 19th and continues through Saturday, November 1st. Election Day is Tuesday, November 4th (polls open 6am-7pm). For more information about voting, please go to Elections – Arlington County VA Voting and Elections (arlingtonva.gov).

Takis P. Karantonis:         A

Takis P. Karantonis, a Democrat running for Arlington County Board, received an A rating because the candidate cited examples of his past support for the LGBTQ+ community as a county board member and demonstrated a solid understanding of the issues in the questionnaire. Karantonis’ responses also laid out a number of specific policy proposals that would directly or indirectly address the issues raised in the questionnaire. If Karantonis is reelected, we look forward to seeing his efforts to implement many of the policies and programs he outlined while addressing new challenges as they arise. We also hope Karantonis gives more consideration to steps the county can take to remove barriers for opening new LGBTQ+ serving businesses in Arlington.

Jeramy L. Olmack:           B

Jeramy L. Olmack, an Independent running for County Board, received a B rating because the candidate outlined a number of specific strategies for addressing many of the issues in the questionnaire as well as an understanding of existing county institutions and practices. However, not all of Olmack’s proposed strategies appear to demonstrate a full understanding of the county’s legal authority or available tools (i.e., the county’s authority to enforce non-discrimination laws) which could hinder their chances of success. If Olmack is elected, we hope they will work with Equality Arlington and other stakeholders to understand the full scope of resources the county can use to address the needs of the LGBTQ+ community.

Carlos "DC" De Castro Pretelt:           C

Carlos "DC" De Castro Pretelt, an Independent running for Arlington County Board, received a C rating because the candidate’s vague responses often failed to provide specific solutions for addressing the issues in the questionnaire. Instead, many of Pretelt’s responses spoke of exploring issues or identifying solutions if he is elected instead of coming into office with proposed strategies for addressing these issues. If Pretelt is elected, we hope he will work with Equality Arlington and other stakeholders to learn more about the needs of the LGBTQ+ community and the many solutions proposed to-date by Equality Arlington and other advocates to address these needs.

Audrey Clement:       C

Audrey Clement, an Independent running for Arlington County Board, received a C rating because the candidate’s responses, while offering solutions to address some of the issues contained in the questionnaire, often failed to propose solutions that utilize the specific authority and powers of the county board (i.e., advising the County Manager to comply with federal non-discrimination laws instead of proposing solutions to better enforce Arlington’s non-discrimination ordinance). If Clement is elected, we hope she will work with Equality Arlington and other stakeholders to implement more comprehensive solutions to address the needs of the LGBTQ+ community.

Bob Cambridge:       F

Bob Cambridge, a Republican running for Arlington County Board, received an F rating because the candidate’s responses often acknowledged that he did not know anything about the issue, failed to provide any solutions, provided unsolicited advocacy advice to Equality Arlington and the LGBTQ+ community, and failed to acknowledge that transgender residents’ nondiscrimination rights are even under attack. If Cambridge is elected, we hope he will seriously engage with the LGBTQ+ community to learn about the issues facing us and choose to address them in a way that improves and not harms LGBTQ+ lives.

Candidate Questionnaire & Responses

Question 1 – Under the Trump administration, the federal government is abandoning efforts to enforce federal non-discrimination laws protecting individuals based on sexual orientation and gender identity in housing and the workplace. What actions would you take as a County Board member to ensure that Arlington’s LGBTQ+ residents and workers are protected from discrimination?

Bob Cambridge (Republican) - I find myself troubled by the conflict and focus by each side on the wrongs of the opposing parties rather than focus on what I see as a problem that is not being addressed. LGBTQ+ individuals do get discriminated against. They are also caught up in what appears to be a cultural war that is currently raging. There is the perception that they are part of a massive overreach. Insistence on allowing access to certain restrooms regardless of biological status may somewhat further the interest of the LGBTQ+ individual, but again, the perception is an unfair denigration of the interest of all other users of the restroom. Women’s sports leagues were established to recognize the reality that males tend to be stronger, taller, and faster than females, giving males a major advantage in efforts not involving intelligence. To then allow males to compete in sports where the male advantage is overwhelming certainly appears to be unfair to the females. For a biological male, winning in such a competition is not even fair to the biological male. It is too easy to characterize the biological male as a mediocre male athlete who is unable to do well other than in competition with biological females. Winning the Tour de France by using a motorcycle is not a laudable achievement. The cultural war is where the LGBTQ+ community should focus, and the appearance of overreaching must be addressed first. LGBTQ+ individuals are not a homogeneous group. Like all other groups, they are individuals differing from other members of the group in many ways along many parameters. The wrongs of an individual tend to be unfairly ascribed to the whole group. That only makes the conflict worse and the solution harder to accomplish. I happen to have neighbors who are gay. They are good neighbors. I have no complaints. I also know several other individuals who are gay. They too are good people, some very competent. Oscar Wilde was quite intelligent and a lot can be learned from his writings. Alan Turing made a major contribution to the winning of World War II. Both were gay, a fact that pales in comparison to their contributions.

Audrey Clement (Independent) - To my knowledge no civil rights law currently on the books has been revoked by Congress. Until such time as any are, I would advise the County Manager to continue complying with all existing federal non-discrimination laws pertaining to housing and the workplace, as these laws are still in force even if the federal government itself is not enforcing them.

Takis P. Karantonis (Democrat) - It is difficult to consider the Federal Government’s actions as mere “abandonment” of enforcing federal non-discrimination laws. I rather see the Federal Government’s as deliberately hostile and discriminatory against the LGBTQ+ community. Hence, protections at the local level matter more than ever before. At its May meeting, the County Board adopted a Resolution affirming our County’s Support of our LGBTQIA+ Community. This Resolution was the result of an intensive collaboration with our LGBTQIA+ Community and with Equality Arlington in particular. Together with my colleagues, I championed County Board guidance that County agencies, lead by example in affirming and branding our commitment to the values of unity, equality and tolerance. This principled posture will continue to permeate all government programs, at all levels of interaction with thousands of businesses in Arlington. I have worked to get us that far and, if re-elected, I will continue the same path. Further, I will continue working at the regional and state level to ensure that other elected officials and local governments continue to defend values of Diversity, Equity, Equality and Inclusion. I further support an increased focus on properly resourcing our Office of Human Rights in order to strengthen its capacity to ensure that it enforces Arlington’s Human Rights ordinance against discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity. Pro-active education of our businesses (but also of employees at large) is a priority that I share with Equality Arlington, especially in these challenging times where both, businesses and employees, need re-assurance that their local government stands firm on human rights.

Jeramy L. Olmack (Independent) -

a. I will organize a Civic Culture Summit to see what actions County Institutions can and should take in our immediate and long-term planning.

i. The summit will establish a Cultural Action Plan that lays out a comprehensive county-wide resolution to shift how residents, workers, and tourists experience Arlington.

      ii.  For the LGBTQ Community I would work to ensure we include few key events like:

1. A luncheon with county leaders, LGBTQ+ serving organizations, county partners, and community members.

2.  A County Board Townhall with a panel of leaders from our LGBTQ+ serving organizations

3.  Pannel Sessions with County Leaders to brainstorm specific actions one can take to protect people from cultural and systemic discrimination

b. I will work to establish measures that shows that Arlington is intolerant of discrimination and hate.

Carlos "DC" De Castro Pretelt (Independent) - I want Arlington to be a community where people look out for one another, and I believe we must stand firm in that commitment no matter what happens at the federal level. If the federal government retreats from enforcing non-discrimination protections, Arlington must step up. As a County Board member, I would support policies and enforcement measures that make clear discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity has no place here. I believe in building a culture of belonging—where LGBTQ+ residents and workers know they are safe, valued, and fully part of our community. We must protect our own. This is what makes Arlington a good place to live.

Question 2 – Arlington is home to the only gay bar in all of Northern Virginia despite a large LGBTQ+ population across the region and within Arlington County. Many residents would like more safe, affirming, and LGBTQ+ serving spaces in Arlington County especially as the federal law enforcement and national guard takeover of DC makes some Arlingtonians feel unsafe traveling there. What actions would you take as a County Board member to reduce barriers to opening new LGBTQ+ serving businesses in Arlington?

Bob Cambridge (Republican) - I must acknowledge lack of knowledge as to what barriers exist to opening new LGBTQ+ serving businesses in Arlington. With few exceptions, a business owner has the right to open whatever business the owner wishes to open. With a large population across the region the secret seems to be organizing to support the opening of specific new businesses. If you do not have LGBTQ+ owners, convince owners you believe to be appropriate that there is an opportunity worth exploiting. I am aware of delays in getting permits which hinder and burden businesses, especially small businesses. If there are additional county rules or other barriers of which I am unaware, I would appreciate learning about them.

Audrey Clement (Independent) - According to Google AI, Washington, DC has a much higher concentration of gay bars than Arlington, because:

• D.C. has the highest percentage of LGBTQ+ residents of any U.S. city, creating a larger demand for dedicated queer spaces.

• D.C. has a long-standing LGBTQ+ culture, particularly in neighborhoods like Dupont Circle, which historically fostered gay-friendly establishments.

Arlington on the other hand is a much smaller area and focuses on being welcoming to LGBTQ+ individuals in a general sense rather than creating specific "gayborhoods," Arlington County can do two specific things to promote more gay bars:

• Revoke the regressive one cent increase in the meals tax County Board adopted earlier this year, which is a bar [no pun intended] to opening any new eating establishment let alone a gay bar.

• Hire more new police officers to patrol restaurant districts and deter homophobic incidents like bomb threat on Freddy’s Beach Bar in 2024.

Takis P. Karantonis (Democrat) - It continues to be an astonishing fact that Freddie’s is the only establishment of this type in NoVA. That said, it is one of Arlington’s most emblematic locales and a location of choice for many public events, including many organized and co-sponsored by Arlington County - many at the explicit request of the County Board and me personally. The County has also shown it’s active support for Freddie’s every time safety or security seem to be compromised. The County did so in very visible, open and public ways. The quasi- military occupation of the District is a reminder of how fragile our basic civil rights have become. Despite the, understandable, discomfort that a visit may entail, it is critical for the defense of our rights and for successfully asserting our collective ownership on our metropolitan area to continue visiting DC, while showing in unmistakable terms our repudiation of the deeds and posture of the Federal Government. I will continue to do everything in my power to keep Arlingtonians safe under our jurisdiction.

Jeramy L. Olmack (Independent) -

a. I will work to establish the 22202 zip code as Arlington’s Official LGBTQIA+ Neighborhood. This would include a plan to

i.   Designate 23rd Street as the Queer Main Street

      ii.  Coordinate with LGBTQIA+ Serving Organizations to headquarter operations and hold functions in the National Landing BID. Including:

1. Equality Arlington

2.  Arlington Gender Identity Allies

3.  Arlington Pride

4.  Arlington Public Libraries Rainbow Reads Book Club

  iii. Open a County ran Town Hall and Community Center along 23rd Street

1. All County LGBTQIA+ Functions will be ran out of this new facility including

2.  The LGBTQIA+ Advisory Committee

  iv. Designate Freddie’s Beach Bar Being as a historically protected business

  v. Create a Fund and Incubator aimed at supporting the opening of LGBTQIA+ Oriented Start-up Businesses in the National Landing BID

  vi. Expand Arlington Arts Grants to LGBTQIA+ Focuses like drag expression and affirming artwork.

Carlos "DC" De Castro Pretelt (Independent) - As a County Board member, I would want to listen first—by talking directly with restaurant and bar owners, meeting with local LGBTQ+ leaders, and assessing the viability of opening additional affirming spaces here in Arlington. It may be that strong legacy options in D.C. have shaped the market, rather than any active barriers within Arlington. Even so, it’s worth asking how the County can make it easier for new LGBTQ+ serving businesses to open and thrive—whether that’s by improving outreach, or simply ensuring that all feel welcomed, safe, and supported.

Question 3 – The Trump administration is moving to illegally withhold federal funding from Arlington Public Schools because they refuse to discriminate against transgender students. Arlington Public Schools have steadfastly refused to violate federal and state laws, despite the weaponization of the federal government against them. What support can the County Board provide for Arlington Public Schools and transgender students and their families as they face escalating threats from the federal government?

Bob Cambridge (Republican) - The argument being made is not that APS has refused to discriminate against transgender students, but that APS has refused to stop discriminating against students who are not transgender. From your perspective, that is a big problem. A large segment of the community has become enraged that a long-term sexual offender has been allowed to expose himself to very young girls in the W&L pool dressing room. Again, it is unfair that your entire group has become defined by Mr. Cox’s unfortunate urges, but it is a reality better addressed than ignored. Do not stonewall that one. My impression is that many members of the LGBTQ+ community are creative. Can that positive message be emphasized?

Audrey Clement (Independent) - While Arlington County is obligated to continue funding the schools at the level laid out in its revenue sharing agreement with APS, it cannot legally direct APS to do anything. That’s because as a separately elected government body APS and only APS can determine its transgender policy. The only thing the County can do to offset the embargo of federal funds resulting from that policy is to increase the percentage of revenue allocated to the schools. However, that may not be financially prudent, insofar as the County itself is exposed to funding losses from the federal government, and the law on transgender policy is currently in a state of flux. Pending a Supreme Court decision on the question, a wait and see approach is best.

Takis P. Karantonis (Democrat) - I am in almost daily contact with the Chair of our School Board on this and all related issues. The County Board supports the School Board’s legal position. We believe that the School Board is acting in accordance with the law and applicable jurisprudence (esp. Grimm v Glouscester). I further reject the very idea of coercively defunding programs that have no connection, whatsoever, to the dispute at hand. My focus is to further assist the SB in order to ensure that vulnerable students from low-income and minority backgrounds won’t suffer from federal cuts. While, I hope you will understand that it is not advisable to elaborate in depth on available options to handle hostile federal cuts, I can assure you that both institutions a. take these cuts very seriously and understand that they are/will be painful and b. are in constant contact and prepared to mitigate adverse impacts, especially on those who are most vulnerable. Further and recognizing the substantial stress that all the above is inflicting upon our Students and Parents, I support the proposal of a joint (APS, ACG) Arlington Youth Commission focused on Youth Wellness with firm anchorage in youth voices, lived experience, subject matter expertise and a well established collaboration with community organizations, including parents organizations and youth-sports organizations). I was among the earliest proponents, and among the first to commit to allocate substantial funding for massive public investment in Youth Mental Health during and after the pandemic. I plan to continue building on this work.

Jeramy L. Olmack (Independent) -

a. I will be a firm ally to Arlington County Schools and Administration as they face the regimes attacks on their safe and inclusive environment. Including working to

i. Explore what legal options we can take as a county board to direct additional funds to our Schools.

      ii.  Establish agreements with other municipalities to what ways we can provide support to each other and cut out expensive outside services.

      iii.  Hold regular bilateral clinics with a designated member of the school board to see what concerns our LGBTQIA+ Students, Teachers, Administrators and their families are facing. These clinics will also be used to explore viable and considerate solutions to their concerns.

Carlos "DC" De Castro Pretelt (Independent) - This is an area where close coordination with the School Board will be essential to fully understand their needs and priorities. Any shortfalls created by the current fiscal environment will have to be carefully balanced with the needs of the greater community, always keeping equity and opportunity at the center of decision-making.

Question 4 – Earlier this year, we learned that the Clarendon Presbyterian Church redevelopment project to build an LGBTQ+ affirming, affordable, senior living community would not move forward. This occurred at a time when affordable housing for all seniors is becoming harder to find and the county’s affordable housing crisis continues. What steps would you take as a County Board member to ensure that low-income LGBTQ+ residents of any age have access to quality, safe, and affordable housing?

Bob Cambridge (Republican) - If a church is willing to use its resources to make low-income housing available, I cannot believe that the County would impose significant obstacles. I have difficulty understanding why such facilities being LGBTQ+ affirming or not is even relevant. Are Presbyterians anti-LGBTQ+? Unfortunate if they are, but my opinion is also irrelevant. I have no right to tell a church to conform to or depart from any church rule or belief. Again, if there are county rules or other barriers which resulted in the redevelopment project not moving forward, I would appreciate learning more about them.

Audrey Clement (Independent) - Funding for affordable housing projects is generally facilitated by federal and state laws governing the award of Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) for investment in affordable housing to developers who apply for such credits. LIHTC projects must set aside a percentage of the housing units constructed or rehabbed for low income households. State housing agencies can prioritize projects by awarding credits based on additional criteria such housing for seniors, provision of permanent supportive housing, and programs for residents. While these regulations prioritize housing for low-income seniors, they do not specifically prioritize housing for LGBTQ+ residents. One backdoor way to get LGBTQ+ housing is to build in a predominantly gay neighborhood. My guess is that’s how it’s been done in DC. It’s my understanding that the Crystal House infill development currently underway in Crystal City qualifies as such a project, because a lot of gays in the neighborhood might qualify for the new housing.

Takis P. Karantonis (Democrat) - There is no doubt that our LGBTQ+ seniors (and the LGBTQ+ Community as a whole) are among the most impacted social groups. In the context of rising senior poverty, LGBTQ+ seniors face exceptionally high barriers to find affordable, safe and adequate housing for them to age in an accepting, friendly and supportive community. Openly addressing and encouraging Community and development partners to pursue projects that will address such specific needs is a strategy that is credited with success when paired and combined with other affordable and attainable housing strategies. Regardless of the particular difficulties in the case of the Clarendon Presbyterian Church, this case offers insights on how important it is to lift barriers for faith congregations when they are willing and ready to pursue projects that align with their moral values and mission. I support the state-level legislative initiatives that will make it easier for such congregations to fulfill their mission.

Jeramy L. Olmack (Independent) -

a. I would use the Comprehensive Plan Update Project as it’s currently reconsidering the goals and objectives that were established more than 50 years ago. Through that process, there is the opportunity to push our leaders to rethink how we develop our communities so residents of any age, income, and expression have access to quality, safe, and affordable housing and communities

b. Another quality-of-life objective would be pushing a tactical pedestrianization of the corridors served by Metrorail Lines to encourage active and thought-provoking solutions to our biggest problems like housing.

c. Lastly, I won’t act reactively or impulsively to this crisis. We need to consider what we are allowing to be developed while simplifying the development process so that we enable a multitude of occupants and uses. I will work to stop extortionate practices so we can enable community-based development. I will no longer allow profits to outweigh how people experience Arlington.

Carlos "DC" De Castro Pretelt (Independent) - Arlington’s housing shortage is one of my main areas of focus. To address this, we will need solutions that expand capacity, while ensuring inclusive opportunities for all residents. As a County Board member, I would work with developers and community partners to explore the feasibility of expanded affordable housing options, keeping the focus on creating safe, inclusive, and accessible housing programs for all Arlingtonians.

Question 5 – The Trump administration has made massive cuts to public health funding for HIV prevention and treatment which is already impacting Arlington service providers. The administration is also threatening to withhold federal funding from any healthcare organization that provides gender-affirming care for individuals under 19, in opposition to best practices from the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Medical Association, American Psychiatric Association, the Endocrine Society, and the World Health Organization. As Arlington residents face vanishing LGBTQ+ affirming and supportive healthcare options in our community and across the country, what support can the County Board provide to ensure that Arlington’s LGBTQ+ adults and youth have access to critical healthcare?

Bob Cambridge (Republican) - I have read Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.’s book, The Real Anthony Fauci. I find it hard to believe that there has not been a slam dunk defamation case if the statements made in the book are not true. There being no case suggests that the allegations are true. OMG! If they are true, I find it hard to believe that there has not so far been massive outrage, particularly from the gay community concerning how development of treatment for a malady apparently and primarily confined to their community has been so thoroughly and criminally mishandled. I ask all who are concerned about your HIV care issue to read the book. Gender-affirming care for mature individuals does not appear to be an issue. Such care for immature individuals carries with it the concern that immature individuals are, well, not mature. As a criminal defense attorney for adults and juveniles I agree with the concern that they may not be fully developed. Myelination is the process of forming a myelin sheath around axons in the brain, sort of like insulation. Myelination of the brain continues well into adulthood. Before completion, you possibly get a lot of short circuits. That may partially explanation why much of the most creative work of our scientists and artists comes when they are relatively young. Albert Einstein was 26 years old when he published his groundbreaking paper on the theory of relativity. OK, I have really digressed. But it is the lack of complete development of children and juveniles that causes my concern and the concern of many adults about gender-affirming care. I am told that it is irreversible. I am told that there are allegations that some individuals who have made the transition later very much regret that decision. Should children be protected from the decisions of their own parents? Unfortunately, the parents themselves are human, a species that has demonstrated no shortage of really bad decisions. Coupled with the fact that there are really bad individuals out there, most of us understand why there are laws prohibiting even a parent from killing their child. I will not pretend to be the last word on that subject, but I have to be honest here. I am concerned enough (and perhaps have been sufficiently biased by what I have heard) that I would need a lot of convincing to support gender-affirming care for the very young.

Audrey Clement (Independent) - Due to massive federal layoffs impacting the entire state, the outcome of the 2025 Virginia gubernatorial election is all but a foregone conclusion. In anticipation of that outcome, I would encourage County Board to lobby the incoming governor to offset federal HIV funding cuts with state health grants. To determine what additional health treatments can be subsidized with limited state funding, I would encourage the governor to establish a health triage task force to tackle the question.

Takis P. Karantonis (Democrat) - Health Equity is a shared priority among major Health-Care providers in our region and the County Government.  While it is critical to continue providing - through the County’s Public Health Division - STI Clinics and sexual health services, it is not less significant to continue (and where possible, enhance) support for those who seek LGBTQ+ affirming care. It is established that the County should continue to includes LGBTQ+ care options in the health-care benefits for its own employees. Further and as part of the County’s Public Health mission, it is important to continue to provide specific advice, resources and referrals for the LGBTQ+ community. A resource page is published here, but it is critical that the County employes knowledgeable and appropriately trained advisors.

Jeramy L. Olmack (Independent) -

a. I will work with Arlington Human Services to make sure all health services are still being provided to our LGBTQ+ Residents, Workers and Tourists.

b. I will work to establish a county-ran health network proving free and confidential access to all critical healthcare services to any resident, worker, or visitor

c. I will push the county board to go into agreements and commitments with science-based organizations and institution to enable continued access to medical practices under attack by the science denying administration.

Carlos "DC" De Castro Pretelt (Independent) - I’d work with healthcare providers to ensure our municipal policies promote the best possible care and support for all Arlington residents. While Arlington may be limited in how we can influence this federal aspect at the municipal level, I would heavily favor increasing mental health access for all our residents. Having experienced firsthand its benefits, I consider mental health a critical resource during this tumultuous period.

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Click here to view the PDF candidate grades and responses