DEMOCRATS WILLING TO SUPPORT MAX FISHER IN A GENERAL ELECTION IN 2025!

"As a lifelong Democrat, it’s not easy for me to admit that my party is letting us down. I’ve always stood for progressive values—equality, personal freedom, and the belief that government can and should work for the people. But here in Fairfax County, Democratic leadership has turned those ideals into excuses for inefficiency, bloat, and burdensome taxes that make life harder for everyday families.

Delegate Irene Shin exemplifies these problems. Instead of standing up for working families, she’s become a cog in a Democratic machine that prioritizes bureaucracy over results. Shin and her allies in the Fairfax County government defend a system that’s more interested in protecting its own excesses than in delivering real solutions for the people who pay for it.

Let’s start with taxes. Fairfax County property taxes have risen relentlessly, with homeowners facing one of the highest real estate tax rates in the region. Earlier this year, the Board of Supervisors approved yet another increase, pushing the average property tax bill higher despite protests from residents already struggling with inflation and skyrocketing housing costs. Shin has done nothing to push back against these hikes or propose alternatives that might ease the burden.

And then there’s the car tax. This antiquated, regressive tax punishes people simply for owning a vehicle. Instead of reforming or eliminating it, Shin and her Democratic colleagues defend it, claiming it’s necessary for funding local services. Meanwhile, Fairfax County’s token reduction last year barely made a dent, leaving families with the same crushing bills. Republican Max Fisher has called for eliminating the car tax entirely—and he’s right. If Shin had been willing to lead on this issue, she might have shown that
Democrats can be bold and pragmatic. Instead, she stuck with the status quo.

The problems don’t stop at taxes. Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS), once a point of pride, are now emblematic of Democratic bloat and mismanagement. For years, Democrats have poured more and more money into FCPS, but where does it go? Not to classrooms. Not to teachers. Instead, it gets swallowed by administrative overhead and bureaucratic inefficiencies. Teachers feel unsupported, students aren’t getting the education they deserve, and parents are left frustrated by a system that seems more interested in protecting its own structure than in serving the community. Shin has done nothing to hold FCPS accountable or advocate for reforms that prioritize education over administration.

This is where Fisher comes in. His platform isn’t just about opposing the Democrats—it’s about offering real solutions. He’s talking about eliminating the car tax, addressing inflation, and taking on the fentanyl crisis in Herndon. These aren’t partisan talking points; they’re real issues that affect all of us, and Fisher is the only candidate in this race offering substantive ideas to address them.

But let me be clear: I’m still a Democrat, and the Republican Party’s ties to Christian nationalism remain a serious concern. I cannot and will not support any candidate who aligns themselves with that agenda. However, if Fisher makes it clear that he’s focused solely on pragmatic, inclusive policies and has no interest in imposing religious ideology on our government, he has my vote.

What frustrates me most is that this shouldn’t even be a debate. Democrats should be leading the charge on cutting unnecessary taxes, holding bloated bureaucracies accountable, and tackling real issues like the fentanyl crisis. Instead, they’re more focused on protecting the status quo, and Shin is no exception.

Fairfax County Democrats need to wake up. They’ve taken voters like me for granted, assuming that we’ll continue to support them no matter how badly they mismanage things. But loyalty to a party doesn’t mean blind acceptance of its failures. Shin and her colleagues have had plenty of chances to show they’re capable of effective leadership, and they’ve squandered them.

This election, I’m choosing to put my community first. Fisher’s platform isn’t perfect, but it’s a hell of a lot better than what we’re getting from Shin and the Fairfax County Democratic establishment. If he can show that he’s willing to rise above the baggage of his party and focus on practical solutions, he’ll earn my vote.

Democrats, take note: if you don’t start delivering, you’re going to keep losing people like me. And frankly, you’ll deserve it."

8th District Resident (FFX Times article)