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Stacey D. Hardy-Chandler

Position sought

Fairfax City Council

Age (as of Election Day)

60

Campaign Website

StaceyHardy-Chandler4City Council

City elections are traditionally non-partisan and candidates must run as independents, according to both the city charter and the Code of Virginia. No party affiliation or “mark” will appear next to any of the candidates’ names on the Nov. 5 ballot. Have you been endorsed by a recognized political party or have you aligned yourself with a group of candidates representing themselves as independent, non-partisan candidates, including candidates running in other city races? Please check the answer that is most appropriate.

Please elaborate on your answer to the previous question and explain how this will affect the way you will serve on the school board.

My highest priority is an inclusive approach to serving ALL of the residents of the City of Fairfax. My endorsement by the Democratic committee and participation in its efforts to support a forward-focused, coordinated campaign aligns with my priorities as an individual city council candidate. Through the opportunity to campaign alongside other candidates who stand firmly behind the values that have been voiced by our neighbors and community members, candidates like me who have been endorsed by the CFDC are already demonstrating the kind of collaboration that will help Fairfax move “Forward TOGETHER.”

How does your status as described in the two previous questions help Fairfax City voters choose a candidate that aligns with their particular political beliefs?

In my opinion, voting is a vital part of building the future of our democracy, especially at the local level. As a descendent of enslaved persons, the act of voting is a way of honoring those who died for my right to do so. Because of this, I believe all candidates for any office have a responsibility to make who they are and the values they stand for as clear to voters as possible. Voters should have direct access to the principles their elected officials will use to make decisions.

Voters in the City of Fairfax have a right to know that because of the importance I place on quality of life, housing, safety, the environment, inclusion and strategic development, my personal values most closely align with Democratic values. These are the same values that motivate me to work to build bridges across political affiliations for the best interest of the city as a whole. And if elected, those are the values that will inform how I serve the city as a member of the council.

Names, ages and any pertinent details you wish to share about your family.

Service is a family affair. My husband, Mark Chandler was an active member of the city’s Environmental Sustainability Committee before becoming a city representative to the NOVA Parks Commission. We have two dogs, Liberty and Terrance. I am also honored to have “chosen family” including the sisters of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, particularly the Fairfax Chapter, Lambda Kappa Omega.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? This includes any relatives who work in the government you are a candidate in.

My husband is a long-time federal employee.

Education

Oxford University (Post Graduate Diploma – Org Leadership, 2022); University of Nevada, Las Vegas (Juris Doctor – Law, 2006); California School of Professional Psychology (PhD Clinical Psychology, 1994); University of California, Los Angeles (Master of Social Welfare, 1988); University of California, Riverside (BA Psychology, 1985)

Occupation – Please include years of experience.

I am deeply fortunate to have spent over 35 years (and counting) working in a career that also fulfills my sense of purpose – as a social worker. I began as a mental health provider, transitioned to academia having served on the faculties of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and later George Mason University, and most recently contributing to my profession in an executive leadership capacity as CEO of the Association of Social Work Boards supporting the social work regulatory community across the U.S. and Canada.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Political Office

In 2017, I was appointed, and later re-appointed, to the City of Fairfax Commission for Women. I was an active participant on this commission for 5 years including a year in the position of secretary.

Why are you seeking elective office?

Growing up, my mother would often say, “you are never a success unless you are bringing others with you.” She raised me to believe that each person has something to offer this world and that we each have a responsibility to not only look out for ourselves, but for others. As a social worker, I have spent my life honoring those values through my service to the community in and outside of my profession. I am not a politician, so seeking public office – particularly at this time – is my way of continuing to serve a place I now call ‘home.’

We are at a crossroads. Our relatively small city is facing some big-time issues, and I am stepping up to run for city council because I do not want to be on the sidelines when it comes to matters that affect us all. The decisions made by city council on behalf of all of us impact our immediate needs and can have far-reaching impacts for the long-term; they have implications for our city as well as for our region; and could affect our current residents as well as those who will live here in the years to come. I believe this is an important time in our history to advocate for a better future.

Seeking public office is certainly not the only way to engage, and I am stepping into my first-time candidacy aware of the many challenges. I believe however that my background allows me to contribute a uniquely person-centered voice to city government that will be needed to face not only today’s needs, but those of the generations that will come after us. I hope to make contributions that might be of benefit to Fairfax City residents who aren’t even born yet. This is why as I have said from the very beginning of my candidacy, we must move “forward TOGETHER.”

The single most pressing issue facing voters is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The single most pressing issue I heard from voters is QUALITY OF LIFE. In conversations with neighbors throughout the city, while the topics of concern varied from neighborhood to neighborhood, from block to block and even from person to person, when I paused to genuinely LISTEN to our city’s residents, issues seemed to all fall under a basic and clear desire to have the opportunity to thrive.

A quality of life in which we all thrive from birth through older adulthood is central to my platform as a city council candidate and offers potential for identifying places of common ground where progress can occur. For example, with persons experiencing homelessness, there is the direct impact on those without accessible housing as well as impacts on businesses, first responders and residents. We all have a ‘QUALITY OF LIFE’ stake in supporting the success of the coalition work by the newly formed homelessness task force. Another example is a basic need to feel safe in public spaces. QUALITY OF LIFE is safeguarded when we know we can navigate our streets and come together with our neighbors because common sense laws and resources promote our safety. Even how we approach access to healthcare (including mental health services), workforce development, planning and zoning, and promote small, local businesses – all have direct or indirect QUALITY OF LIFE implications. It’s simply something we all want.

No single person, not even one elected to city council can tackle complex social issues alone, at least not in any meaningful way. Issues our city faces require collaborative, strategic and coordinated effort. What I intend to do FIRST is reject the notion that meaningful, sustainable change occurs in a vacuum. I will explicitly focus on building bridges with other council members, city staff, committees, businesses and organizations to foster productive partnerships. This is the kind of collaborative work needed to achieve a greater good and would help me as an individual council member truly serve as a representative voice toward the best interest of Fairfax now and in the future.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

My unique contribution as a candidate is that I hold a perspective and extensive track record of putting PEOPLE FIRST. Specifically, I am skilled at seeing issues in the context of their impact on people in their daily lives – children, families, service providers and those in need of services, those who are thriving and those left behind. Being a social worker is not just an occupation, it is core to who I am. Because of this, I consider problems comprehensively and have a deep respect for the social and emotional impacts of making tough decisions in times when people may not see eye-to-eye. I welcome diverse perspectives, but I am committed to standing strong when it comes to bringing the focus back to what is in the best interest of our city rather than individual agendas.

I believe it is important to acknowledge that I share similarities with other CFDC endorsed candidates on the desire to be positive, forward-thinking and collaborative. I also sincerely believe that others are in this race to make a difference.

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As I have often said, “I am not running against any other candidate. I am running FOR Fairfax.” And perhaps that’s the biggest difference of all.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)?

As a member of city council, my focus will be on productively building on the efforts of councils that came before us.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

The other issues that define my platform include those that unite the CFDC endorsed candidates. These include attainable housing, sustainable environmental practices, safety, strategic economic development and a Fairfax where our neighbors are engaged and belong. These are keystone issues that help inform more specific decisions about our schools (such as the school bond referendum) and neighborhoods (such as policy discussion on changes to accessory dwelling unit rules).

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

My last name is “HARDY” which literally means robust, bold, courageous and strong enough to bear extreme conditions.

Many aspects of my life and career offer evidence of my “hardy” leadership and ability to be an effective representative to city council. My experiences and accomplishments also point to the ability to navigate challenging situations with respect and diplomacy. While I am proud of the many awards and acknowledgements I’ve received over the years, most recently I was the 2024 recipient of the Sol Gothard Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Organization of Forensic Social Work.

As CEO of the Association of Social Work Boards, I lead a complex non-profit organization supporting very diverse regulatory communities covering all 50 U.S. states, 10 Canadian provinces, the District of Columbia and several other territories. The demands of my role parallel the demands of city government including navigating complex issues, fiscal stewardship, diverse constituents with competing interests, and the need to work with different people and perspectives.

My biggest accomplishment has been the ongoing journey of becoming a “hardy,” resilient leader who strives daily to live my values.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Always look for opportunities to “pay it forward.” From a childhood that valued cooperation over competition, to the mentors I’ve had over the course of my career, my personal growth has been nurtured with the guidance that it cannot stop with me. As the saying goes, “a rising tide lifts all ships,” and I have seen over and over again how helping others makes the whole group, committee, or organization better. I think this holds true for especially for our city. And, through consideration of others, we ALL benefit.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to city residents who have supported me in becoming a first-time candidate for public office. Knowing the history of just having the right to vote for women and people of color, I am honored and hold deep reverence for the opportunity to be on the other side of that process running for election. I am proud to have received the Moms Demand Action Gun Sense Candidate Distinction along with the CFDC endorsement and I look forward to contributing to Fairfax’s bright future.

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