Dear Friends,

Next week I will update you on critical steps we are taking to respond to the mental health and substance abuse challenges we face. Today I want to share with you thoughts about Arlington's next chapter and the choice we have for the two open County Board seats that we will be voting on in this primary election over the next 30 days.

I am voting for Maureen Coffey and JD Spain. I want to share with you why I am supporting them and I also want to explain a bit about how the rank choice voting system that we are using in the Democratic Primary works. You can vote now through June 20th.
Arlington will use a new rank choice voting system this year--learn more below.
The next 30 days will be the most important election for Arlington's future before the 2024 Presidential election. There are two open County Board seats due to the decisions by Christian Dorsey and Katie Cristol not to seek reelection.

The turnover of 40% of our five member governing body will have a big impact on the priorities that led me to run for the Board: inclusive economic growth, climate change, housing, funding our schools, and addressing hunger and serving our neighbors most in need. The stakes on all of the issues before us as a community are high.
Early voting runs through June 17th and Primary Day is June 20th
My Two #1 Choices: Maureen Coffey and JD Spain
Arlington is using rank choice voting in this election, a form of voting that will enable us to rank our top three choices. I will be voting for Maureen Coffey and JD Spain as my top two choices. I have not decided which of the two will be my number 1 choice because it is equally critical to me that both of them are elected. (I will have to choose, but will not be sharing with you who I rank #1 because both have my full support.) To learn more about rank choice voting, watch this short video:

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Watch this 1 minute 52 Second Video to Learn How Rank Choice Voting Works

Maureen Coffey is hard working, thoughtful, and shares my commitment to the two defining challenges that face Arlington—inclusive economic growth that serves our neighbors most in need and environmental sustainability that addresses climate change. She’s earned my support through her debate performance, grassroots work, and commitment to listening and engaging with all Arlingtonians.

Ms. Coffey’s specific ideas on long-term planning, evidenced-based approach, and humility are additional strengths that will serve Arlington well. Maureen Coffey has my endorsement and full support in the June Democratic Primary. To learn more about Maureen, go here: [link removed]
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Maureen Coffey is a policy analyst who works on early childhood development and is a Governor Northam appointee. She is endorsed by NOVA Labor and the Sierra Club, among others.
JD Spain is engaged on the issues that matter most to Arlington’s future—economic security and inclusion and environmental sustainability. He understands that we need leaders who are true to their values and able to find common ground with others to get results. He’s earned my support through his positive campaign, his commitment to listening to and engaging with all Arlingtonians, and his experience as a Veteran and community leader.

Mr. Spain’s specific focus on improving mental health services is a strength that I believe is particularly revealing of his judgement, compassion, and how he would serve our community. JD Spain has my endorsement and full support in the June Democratic Primary. To learn more about JD, go here: [link removed]
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JD Spain is a Veteran and experienced community leader. His work over the last decade shows his commitment to inclusive growth. He is endorsed by NOVA Labor & the Sierra Club, among others.
Both JD and Maureen are the best choices when one considers all of the issues, including the two defining ones Arlington faces: income inequality and economic growth that benefits all Arlingtonians and the enormous threat that climate change poses. Both have shown that they stand with labor and that working Arlingtonians and those most in need will be at the heart of their work, which has lead them both to be endorsed by NOVA Labor, the Arlington Education Associations, Political Action Committee, and all the other unions who have taken positions in this race.

Both have earned the support of the Sierra Club's Potomac Chapter based on their understanding that bolder action is needed to address climate change and environmental sustainability. In my conversations with them both, they understand the local leadership needed on climate change and the importance of addressing stormwater infrastructure and Arlington's parks and open spaces.

I have not yet decided on my third choice, which will be required as part of rank choice voting, because I am focused first and foremost on getting Maureen and JD elected as my clear two choices for the County Board. I see both these leaders as the right ones, not only for the issues we face today, but also for the ones that may come up over the next four years.

With respect to the third candidate that will be part of my rank choice ballot, I am open to your thoughts via reply email, on which candidate you believe shares our focus on affordable housing, our schools, and serving our neighbors most in need.

I will say this: for this third choice, along with my first two, the key question is one of both judgment and experience, and, respectfully, I do not believe categorial opposition to missing middle should be the reason why one supports a candidate. I understand if that is your primary issue and viewpoint, but I simply am not aligned with that viewpoint being the only issue determining one's vote.

Thank you for your consideration and for voting in this election. It really, really matters for the future of our community and the strength of the American Dream in Arlington.

Matt

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