Mayor Brian Vincent, is is a proud Independent who is running for reelection under the Forward Party banner. Brian was first elected to serve as Mayor of Farmville in 2022. Prior to January 1st 2023, Mayor Vincent served as the town councilman of Ward B from July 2018 to December 2022. He is a graduate of Tabb High School in Yorktown, VA and holds a B.A. in Geography/GIS from Concord University in Athens, WV. Mayor Vincent runs a family business on Main Street in Farmville, Appomattox River Company, alongside his father-in-law. He has served on the Board for the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources since 2017. The mayor’s wife, Harriet, is a Farmville native and local Nurse Practitioner. They have two school-aged daughters, Martha Lucy and Eliza. In his spare time, Mayor Vincent enjoys exploring the outdoors, paddling rivers with his family, reading widely, and testing his physical and mental limits.

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Laura Taddeucci Downs was elected to the Falls Church City (VA) Council in a special election in November 2024 to complete a former council member’s unexpired term. She is seeking re-election this Fall for a full, four-year term. Prior to her election to City Council, in November 2019, Laura was elected to a four-year term on the School Board for Falls Church City Public Schools. While on the School Board, Laura helped the schools navigate the COVID-19 pandemic and oversaw the construction of the system’s brand-new, 120M LEED Gold-certified Meridian High School. Laura served as Vice Chair for one year and then as Chair for two years on the School Board.

School Board members were elected publicly in Falls Church City beginning in 1994. In the 30 years since, Laura is one of only six FCC residents who have been elected to both the School Board and the City Council, and the only female to do so.

Before her public service, Laura served in several volunteer leadership roles: Falls Church Elementary PTA President, Henderson Middle School PTA President, President of the GW Alumni Association, and Board member of the Falls Church Education Foundation. Laura’s professional career has been in the field of Higher Education Administration. She worked at George Washington University as Executive Director of Student Life and also received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from GW.

Laura grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, and moved to Falls Church City, VA, in 2009 with her husband, Christian, and their four sons.

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Jennifer Passey has been an active resident in the City of Fairfax since 2010, when she moved there with her husband and four boys. She was elected and served two terms on the Fairfax City Council beginning in 2017. During her time on the City Council, she focused on improving communication between City Hall and residents as well as strategic economic development and environmental initiatives. With her leadership, the City implemented its first composting program in 2018.

Prior to her election to City Council, she served on the City’s Planning Commission (2011-14), the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board (2012-14) and the Country Club Hills Civic Association from 2010-12. In 2021, Jennifer was selected as the City of Fairfax Woman of Influence.

Jennifer is an issue advocacy and communications professional with more than 20 years of experience in Washington, DC; Dhaka, Bangladesh; and New Delhi, India. Originally from Blaine, Minnesota, Jennifer moved to the Washington Metropolitan Area to attend The George Washington University, where she received her bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies and, later, her master’s degree in Political Management.

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Donna Charles is a proud Air Force veteran and former civil servant with over 20 years of experience in national security and foreign policy. She has had the honor and privilege to serve this great country in a variety of roles, including at the State Department, Department of Defense, Capitol Hill, and the National Security Council.

Donna's roots are in the U.S. Intelligence Community, where she worked closely with amazing professionals of all stripes who all had a common goal: to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. Public service is a natural instinct for Donna, dating back to her time as a Girl Scout.

Public service is Donna's way of showing gratitude for the wonderful and unique opportunities this great country has afforded her, and there is no greater honor than to serve. That is why she is running to become the next governor of Virginia. She can take her decades of experience in public service to make Virginia an even better place to live, work, and raise a family.

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Marq Hawkins (aka DJ Cli-N-Tel). As a college professor, business owner, and coach, Marq understands the the importance of leading by example. He is committed to investing in his community, bringing new ideas to create jobs, and and taking actions to stimulate economic growth. Before being sworn is as Mayor, Marq served on school councils and cultural advisory boards, and promoted vocational training and education programs for the evolving job market.

Marq is dedicated to fostering public/private partnerships to pave roads, increase green space, and community art.

Marq believes that by working together, the people can build a prosperous, healthy, beautiful, and financially sound California City.

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On May 2, 2024, Independent candidate Erik Johnson won his election for city council in Saint Albans, Vermont. Johnson is now serving his community as the city council member for Ward 5, which includes the southern end of Saint Albans.

“My mission is to champion a vibrant and safer St Albans by fostering community cohesion, amplifying resident voices, and driving forward positive, people-centric change.

As a non-partisan office holder, Johnson has the chance to stand up for his own values and for the needs of his community, rather than for any one political party’s agenda.

“I hear a lot that the state Democratic Party wants us to do this, or the state Democratic Party wants us to do that. I really felt like that would be limiting to me, because I want to be creative. I want to go down the path that works for me,” Johnson said.

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Francis tells the story of his underdog campaign for a seat on the Greene County Board of Supervisors.

Francis is a University of Virginia graduate, Navy veteran, surgeon, professor, father, and grandfather. He led a team of doctors at Bethesda Naval Hospital that treated marines and SEALS who were severely wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Francis is committed preserving rural Greene County, working hand in hand with lifelong residents and newcomers alike to help curb overdevelopment. He understands that our rural agricultural and conservation districts are our treasures and knows that once they are gone, they are lost for good.

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Robin ran an underdog campaign and ultimately beat the incumbent to win a seat on the Prince George’s County (Maryland) School Board.

Robin holds a Master of Arts in Human Services Counseling with a concentration in Criminal Justice and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Liberty University’s Helms School of Government. She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education in Community Care and Counseling with a concentration in Traumatology from Liberty University.

Her professional experience includes her current role as a Program and Policy Analyst at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), where she manages and coordinates various policy and program initiatives.

As a candidate for the Board of Education, Robin is focused on ensuring that all students in the district have access to a safe, equitable, and high-quality education. Key areas of focus in her platform include:

* Empowering parents to advocate for education equity.

* Enhancing cybersecurity protections for students using school-provided devices.

* Strengthening school safety while advancing District 5’s standing in terms of educational performance and competitiveness.

* Advocating for families with children with disabilities to ensure appropriate resources and support.

* Building partnerships with local businesses to create opportunities for students to gain job skills and apprenticeships.

Her diverse experiences in education, public service, and advocacy provide her with a comprehensive understanding of the needs and challenges facing District 5. Her focus on community engagement, student success, and policy improvement reflects her commitment to supporting the educational growth and safety of students, teachers, and staff across the district.

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A great interview with one of the youngest elected leaders in New Jersey.

Justin was sworn in as a Deptford Township School Board member on January 2, 2025.

Justin said, “As a former student member of the Gloucester County Vocational Technical School District Board, I have first-hand experience advocating for equitable policies,” said Green. “I’m driven to ensure that the board is transparent, accountable and responsive to the needs of our community.

“I believe it’s time for a new generation of leadership to step up,” he added, “and I am committed to working towards a brighter future for all Deptford students.”

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.independentsforamerica.com/subscribe

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.independentsforamerica.com/subscribe