2026 Democratic Primary County Board Candidates Respond to Equality Arlington Questionnaire

Equality Arlington sent the 3 candidates running in the 2026 Democratic Primary for Arlington County Board a questionnaire about their stances on the needs of the LGBTQ+ community and related policy issues. Equality Arlington will not be endorsing any candidate this cycle but we think it is important that the community is aware of the candidates’ responses and take these into account when casting your vote. Thank you to the candidates for letting us know how you intend to serve the LGBTQ+ community of Arlington if you are elected to the County Board. The candidate responses can be found below and the PDF with all responses in the link below.

Early voting is from Thursday, June 18th through Saturday, August 1st. Election Day is Tuesday, August 4th (polls open 6am-7pm). For more information about voting, please go to Elections – Arlington County VA Voting and Elections (arlingtonva.gov).

Question 1 – Since 2025, the Trump administration has engaged in a sustained campaign to shut down access to gender affirming care for transgender individuals, especially young people. This has caused many Virginia healthcare providers to stop providing gender affirming care with more providers expected to halt care after the administration finalizes multiple federal rules weaponizing Medicare and Medicaid funding against healthcare facilities who support transgender health. As Arlington families lose access to gender affirming care, what will you do as a county board member to ensure that transgender individuals in our community have access to critical healthcare?

Matthew D. “Matt” de Ferranti - Every Arlington resident deserves access to healthcare and to be treated with dignity and respect. I am concerned about how the changes happening at the federal level are creating uncertainty for transgender individuals and already limiting access to care that they have relied upon, with further limitations a distinct threat. While the County Board cannot alter federal healthcare policy, Arlington can play an important role in ensuring that transgender people are connected to available resources. I will work with public health staff, healthcare providers, and community organizations to better understand the impact these changes are having on Arlington residents and find opportunities for solutions the County to help address these gaps. More broadly, County services must remain welcoming, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of transgender people and their families. I have and will do this work in large part to ensure Arlington remains a place where all people, including LGBTQ+ residents, can live safely, access essential services, and participate fully in the community.

James A. DeVita - I will advocate for insurance coverage.

Julie E. Farnam - Every person deserves access to safe, evidence-based healthcare delivered with dignity and respect. As a County Board member, I will support Arlington's efforts to ensure that transgender residents can access healthcare through the tools the county controls. I will work to protect and strengthen county-funded health programs so they provide affirming, nondiscriminatory care. I will support partnerships with healthcare providers and community organizations to expand access to gender-affirming services, mental health care, and care coordination, especially for young people and families who face barriers to treatment.

I will also advocate at the state and federal levels for policies that protect access to medically necessary care and oppose efforts that interfere with the relationship between patients, families, and their healthcare providers. When residents lose access because of changes outside the county's control, I will work with regional partners to connect people with available providers, information, and support.

Arlington has a long tradition of welcoming LGBTQ+ residents. I will work to ensure that transgender people know they belong here and can access public services without fear of discrimination. My commitment is to protect the health, safety, and dignity of every member of our community.

Question 2 – Equality Arlington’s 2026 LGBTQ+ Community Needs & Priorities Survey revealed that a number of LGBTQ+ Arlington residents have experienced “harassment or hate in public spaces,” “workplace discrimination or harassment,” or “seriously considered leaving Arlington because of safety or affordability concerns.” The county’s main enforcer of anti-discrimination law, the Office of Human Rights, has been without a director for almost 8 months and has limited engagement with the LGBTQ+ community. What will you do as a county board member to ensure the county better protects LGBTQ+ individuals from discrimination and harassment?

Matthew D. “Matt” de Ferranti - Arlington should be a place where everyone feels safe, respected, and able to fully participate in the community. No resident should experience discrimination, harassment, or feel pushed out of the community because of safety concerns. about safety or affordability. As a member of the County Board, and as liaison to the Human Rights Commission along with Mr. Spain it is in my work plan for the year that in the months of August and September I will focus on the Human Rights Commission and this vacancy. I already have this year, but understand that the vacancy must be filled as soon as possible. The Office of Human Rights needs has the leadership, staffing, and resources necessary to effectively carry out its mission. I also believe the County should maintain regular engagement with LGBTQ+ residents and community organizations to better understand concerns and identify ways to improve services and outreach. Arlington has long been a welcoming and inclusive community, but the work is far from over. Strengthening protections against discrimination and harassment and maintaining equity for ensuring that all residents are treated equally is always should remain a critical priority.

James A. DeVita - I will make sure that there is a new director for the Office of Human Rights and as a lawyer, I will represent anyone who has experienced discrimination.

Julie E. Farnam - Arlington should have a strong, visible Office of Human Rights that residents trust and can easily access. Leaving the office without permanent leadership for an extended period weakens public confidence and limits outreach to communities that rely on its protections. As a County Board member, I will make filling key leadership positions a priority and expect regular updates on the office's staffing, performance, and community engagement.

I will support efforts to strengthen the Office of Human Rights through adequate staffing, clear public reporting, and proactive outreach to LGBTQ+ organizations, schools, businesses, and community groups. Residents should understand their rights, know how to report discrimination, and have confidence that complaints will receive a timely and fair response.

I also believe the County Board should maintain an ongoing dialogue with LGBTQ+ residents. I will meet regularly with community organizations, listen to concerns, and use that feedback to improve county policies and services. Protecting people from discrimination requires strong enforcement, meaningful community engagement, and accountability. I will work to ensure Arlington delivers on all three.

Question 3 – Arlington Public Schools’ 2024 Arlington Youth Survey revealed disturbingly high rates of poor mental health, attempted suicide, sexual violence, and bullying impacting LGBTQ+ youth. What will you do as a county board member to ensure that LGBTQ+ young people are healthy, safe, and supported in our schools and throughout our community?

Matthew D. “Matt” de Ferranti - The findings from the Arlington Youth Survey are a reminder that too many LGBTQ+ young people continue to face challenges that detrimentally affect their health, safety, and well-being. Every young person should feel supported, valued, and able to be themselves without fear of bullying, harassment, or violence. LGBTQ+ young people face particular challenges and Senator Kaine recently spoke well to the need to make sure our transgender and LGBQ+ young people know they are cared for. I support continued investment in youth mental health resources, crisis intervention services, and community-based programs that help young people build connections and access support when they need it. I also believe that maintaining the strong partnership between Arlington County and Arlington Public Schools is essential in responding to emerging needs. We have work to do to do better on that partnership, even as we have champions on the School Board. Creating a community where LGBTQ+ youth can thrive is not only about responding to challenges, but also about fostering a sense of belonging and connection. That should remain an important goal for Arlington as we invest in the well-being of all young people.

James A. DeVita - I will fight to make sure that every school has a mental health counselor.

Julie E. Farnam - We need to create safe spaces for LGBTQ+ youth in schools and at community centers. Bullying and harassment must be addressed head-on, and we must stress that bullying and harassment for any reason will not be tolerated. That means that schools need to make it safe for LGBTQ+ youth to report issues and that the concerns reported are taken seriously and those reporting them will not be retaliated against. This also requires education within schools and amongst teachers and others in the community to recognize the signs of bullying and depression.

Question 4 – In the last year, the Trump administration has tried to take away federal funding from Arlington Public Schools as punishment for their support for transgender and nonbinary students, the Virginia Board of Public Health tried to block transgender and nonbinary individuals from using bathrooms and locker rooms that correspond with their gender identity throughout the state, the Virginia High School League has banned transgender students from playing on sports teams that correspond with their gender identity, and the Trump administration has taken many actions making life harder and less safe for transgender and nonbinary individuals living in Arlington. What will you do as a county board member to help ensure that transgender and nonbinary individuals feel safe and supported in Arlington County?

Matthew D. “Matt” de Ferranti - Transgender and nonbinary residents deserve to feel safe, welcome, and supported everywhere and in Arlington in particular, as we seek to be an inclusive and welcoming community. When policies or public debates leave people feeling targeted or uncertain about their place in the community, local leaders have a responsibility to listen and, respond on behalf of both targeted and concerned residents. As a County Board member, I have engaged with transgender parents and will continue to. I also have made it clear to Arlington Public Schools that if this Administration cuts funding due to transgender policies, I will stand with them. I also believe it is important for the County to foster an environment where all residents are treated fairly and can access public services without fear of discrimination. Preserving Arlington’s commitment to diversity and inclusion requires ongoing attention and engagement, especially during times when many residents are vulnerable and feel unheard. My goal is to help ensure that Arlington remains focused on supporting the well-being of everyone who calls this community home.

James A. DeVita - I will fight to restore the funding.

Julie E. Farnam - I believe the County needs better training and needs to be more deliberate in how they communicate and engage with the transgender and nonbinary community. To better support this community, I’d start by asking them what they feel they need to feel supported. It’s a basic question, but it’s one I don’t think the County is asking. As an elected official, I would be guided by the needs of the community and I would not assume I know what those needs are without engaging with—and more importantly, listening to—those I am seeking to assist. I firmly believe everyone should feel included and that starts with acknowledge they have a voice that deserves to be heard.

Question 5 – Many LGBTQ+ residents—seniors, young professionals, and families—are struggling to afford rising housing costs in Arlington. In the last two years, the county’s support for affordable housing (housing grants, Affordable Housing Investment Fund, permanent supportive housing) has been flat or decreasing. What will you do as a county board member to make Arlington more affordable so LGBTQ+ people are not forced to leave our community?

Matthew D. “Matt” de Ferranti - Housing affordability is one of the most significant challenges facing Arlington, and it particularly affects our LGBTQ+ seniors, young professionals, and families. Throughout my time on the County Board, I have supported efforts to preserve and expand affordable housing, including investments that have helped protect existing affordable units and create new housing opportunities such as the Barcroft Apartments. In the current Capitol Improvement Plan, I support language to create a capital fund to add approximately $1 billion or more in funding from the private and public sectors to address housing. The work sessions we have held over the past month include comments from the Manager and staff to this effect. I have worked on it over the past week and fully committed to it.

I also believe Arlington must continue pursuing a range of strategies, including preserving affordable housing, increasing housing supply, and supporting programs that help residents remain in their homes. Keeping Arlington affordable is not only an economic issue but is essential to maintaining the diverse and vibrant community that makes Arlington such a special place to live.

James A. DeVita - I will seek to bring new business to Arlingotn to lower taxes to make Arlington more affordable.

Julie E. Farnam - Arlington’s current posture on housing has not created the desired results, namely affordability, equity, and housing diversity. We are also spending millions of dollars of taxpayer money on legal fees rather than reexam a flawed policy. I firmly believe we can speak to those on both sides of this issue and find solutions that meet the needs of neighbors and the whole community and I am committed to doing just that. Tearing down homes to build McMansions or rentals raises the cost to buy a home in Arlington, dashing the dreams of so many who want a place of their own. Arlington needs to develop expanded Auxiliary Dwelling Unit (ADU) policies, a plan to preserve older or smaller homes because they are more affordable, work to preserve the footprint of homes when a home is torn down and rebuilt, and must do more to convert vacant or underutilized commercial properties into housing.

LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly youth, also experience homelessness at a higher rate than other populations. I’d like to see Arlington develop housing programs that provide housing or housing assistance specifically for LGBTQ+ people. We could model our program after something like Hampton Roads’ LGBT Life Center, Richmond’s Side by Side, or Shenandoah Valley’s Shenandoah LGBTQ Center. These programs provide rapid rehousing, rent assistance, support services, connections to community resources, and other housing assistance. We should also maintain a list of affordable apartments with LGBTQ+ friendly management.

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Click here to view the PDF candidate responses