Endorsements
County Board Members
KATIE CRISTOL,
County Board Member
“Takis has extensive knowledge of, and deep experience working on, what makes communities great places to live: Diverse housing, sustainable transportation, and welcoming public spaces. More importantly, he also listens to and understands the stories of who makes Arlington a great place to live, and has a passion for a future that includes everyone. For these reasons, Takis has my vote on July 7th.”
MATT DE FERRANTI, County Board Member
“I support Takis wholeheartedly because he is the experienced, committed leader our community needs right now. At this extraordinarily difficult moment, Arlington County must focus on our fundamental responsibilities—health, hunger, housing, and economic recovery. Takis knows these issues firsthand and I know he will make thoughtful, forward-looking decisions that benefit all of Arlington in the critical months ahead.”
CHRISTIAN DORSEY, County Board Member
“Takis has a reputation for amplifying voices in our community that might otherwise be silent. In the moment we are in—a pandemic and daily examples of the scourge of racism—the County Board will need to attend to those very voices. I’m supporting Takis because I believe his skills and relationships will help Arlington enact and implement policies that are more equitable and that help more Arlingtonians move beyond these crises to a stable future.”
Organizations
State Elected Officials
SENATOR MARK WARNER
“Small business owners have been crucial to Virginia’s and Arlington’s thriving economies. Takis Karantonis has, for years, been a strong advocate and practitioner of ways to strengthen this sector of our economy. His experienced voice on the Arlington County Board will help ensure the smart deployment of resources as Arlington’s economy moves towards reopening safely.”
CONGRESSMAN DON BEYER
“Building trust has never been a more important priority than it is today for elected leaders. Takis Karantonis has spent more than a decade doing just that as a multilingual civic activist in Arlington. Takis and I share a deep commitment to equity for all and non-discrimination of any persons. He’s the right person to join the Arlington County Board in these troubled times.”
SEN. ADAM EBBIN
“I have worked with Takis for many years; most closely when he was Executive Director of the Columbia Pike Revitalization Organization. We share a passion for improving this key corridor in Arlington and I believe his planning knowledge and skills will enhance community planning conversations throughout Arlington.”
SEN. BARBARA FAVOLA
“Takis was a trusted voice on housing policy when I was on the County Board. He understands that, for Arlington to continue to thrive, we need housing affordable at a variety of price points that relate to the jobs we have in the county. I look forward to working with him on these issues in Arlington and in the Commonwealth.”
SEN. JANET HOWELL
“Takis’s experience with small businesses, economic development, and micro-lending are aligned with what will be our greatest needs as the Commonwealth and Arlington move from crisis to resiliency.”
DEL. MARK LEVINE
“Takis and I share a passion for ensuring broad participation in civic processes. He has a reputation for working to ensure that all voices are heard. That skill will be very important as we come out of the pandemic and have to adapt our practices and policies.”
DEL. PATRICK HOPE
“Takis Karantonis has often been a voice for voiceless Arlingtonians who need access to health care and a strong safety net in Arlington. The fact that he speaks 8 languages means he can talk directly to people to understand their needs and concerns. That skill will enhance the work we all do on behalf of those who have less.”
DEL. RIP SULLIVAN
“Ensuring that Arlington is prepared for the 'new normal' will be a massive undertaking over the next 18 months. Takis’s relationships in the labor community and his understanding of the needs of businesses of all sizes will prove invaluable to the County. I look forward to working with him and the rest of the County Board as we evaluate new ways to support workers and businesses alike.”
DEL. ALFONSO LOPEZ
“Takis and I share a passion for environmental policy. I’m excited about the prospect of having a new County Board partner who has worked at the grassroots level with Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment (now EcoArlington) and who also knows his way around the key, forward-looking policy areas of energy efficiency, conservation, clean water, and renewable energy.”
School Board Members
TANNIA TALENTO, School Board Chair
"Takis Karantonis will be an excellent addition to the County Board and I am proud to support his candidacy. His perspective, experience, and multilingualism will bring great value to our County Board. Takis understands what it takes to fully support all members of our diverse community and the impact and importance of having an excellent education system. As School Board Chair, I know Takis will support our schools and be an excellent partner with the School Board."
MONIQUE O’GRADY, School Board Vice-Chair
“Takis values strong public schools and will be an important partner as Arlington Public Schools and the County work together to navigate these challenging times. His knowledge of our diverse community and his ability to listen, learn, and share with so many in their native language will help remove barriers to involvement. His proven leadership and understanding of the needs of business, neighborhoods and residents will serve us all well in the years to come.”
REID GOLDSTEIN, School Board Member
"I have known Takis Karantonis for over ten years and worked with him closely on revitalization and community-building projects along the Columbia Pike corridor. As an elected official, I know the importance of viewing needs county-wide and representing them in Board decisions. As a result of his involvement in Arlington housing, economic development, and sustainability organizations, Takis has proven his expertise and dedication to issues having broad community impact. I look forward to partnering with him as we collaborate to strengthen the schools and the Arlington community."
BARBARA KANNINEN, School Board Member
“I appreciate that Takis is a problem solver by nature and a respectful listener. He will bring a constructive, collaborative approach to working with the School Board and community to address our school system's growth, capacity needs, budget pressures, and equity challenges.”
NANCY VAN DOREN, School Board Member
“There is no one more committed than Takis to Arlington's progressive agenda and our need for smart, sustainable growth. I am certain that Takis' professional, inclusive, and knowledgeable approach to governance is exactly what we need right now.”
Constitutional Officers
PARISA DEHGHANI-TAFTI, Commonwealth’s Attorney
“For our community to continue to thrive we will need the calmest voice and coolest head in the room, the person who, no matter the circumstance, knows how to look for solutions, find common ground, and make peace. That person is Takis Karantonis.”
PAUL FERGUSON,
Clerk of the Court
“Takis has shown an interest in Arlington's Court system and is committed to supporting technology initiatives providing more online services to the public. I really look forward to collaborating with him on a number of issues.”
BETH ARTHUR,
Sheriff
“Takis has been a bridge over the years to communities who often are overlooked in our civic life. That skill will be very helpful as we continue to provide the most progressive jail environment possible in these challenging times.”
CARLA DE LA PAVA, Treasurer
“In these trying times, fiscal management is critically important for local governments. I know that Takis, as a former non-profit manager and advisor to entrepreneurs, understands the County's need for fiscal prudence and careful planning.”
INGRID MORROY, Commissioner of Revenue
“Serving Arlington residents—our customers—in a fair and even-handed manner requires clear communication and active listening. Takis’s skills will be a welcome addition in this work.”
Former Board Members
MARY HYNES
Former County Board and School Board Member
JAY FISETTE
Former County Board Member
WALTER TEJADA
Former County Board Member
CHRIS ZIMMERMAN
Former County Board Member
Advocacy Groups
Transportation
“We need to elect strong County Board members who understand that, without a robust set of alternatives to driving a car alone, Arlingtonians will live in gridlock”
Chris Slatt, Jay Fisette, Gillian Burgess, Jim Lantelme, Mike Perkins, James Schroll, Danielle Argioni, Mary Hynes, James Pizzuro, Mark Blacknell, Daniel Weir, Eric Goldstein, Elizabeth Kiker, Katie Cristol, Chris Forinash, Jane Green, Andrew Kierig, Davis Rajtik, Taylor Reich, Collier Cook
Education
“Takis is committed to our school system and knows it is integral to Arlington’s longtime desirability as a place to live, work, and learn.”
Alisa Cowen, Cristina Diaz -Torres, Laura Saul Edwards, Nadia Facey, Juliet Hiznay, Josh Kaplowitz, Kathleen McSweeney, David Priddy, Jason Rylander, Noah Simon, Stacy Snyder, Gabriela Uro, Janeth Valenzuela, Michelle Woolley
African-American Community
“We strongly support Democrat Takis Karantonis in this upcoming Special Election on July 7. Takis knows that structural and institutional racism are woven into law enforcement, housing, education, health, economic development, and overall governance policies and practices throughout America and in our county.”
Zakiya Worthey, James Lander, Nicole Lewis, Michael Hemminger, Dr. Alfred O. Taylor, Jr., Shawn Baker, Bernie Bradley
Latino Community
“We need Takis’s ideas, perspective, and experience now more than ever because COVID-19 will have long-term sustained impacts on all of Arlington, especially our minority communities. As an economist, an experienced economic development practitioner, and an immigrant, Takis is committed to all members of our community and will ensure all voices are heard.”
Hon. Alfonso Lopez, Hon. Tannia Talento, Hon. J. Walter Tejada, Hon. Emma Violand-Sanchez, Sandra Brody, Cynthia Cocuesta Cuttier, Christopher Concepción-Ballester, Cristina Díaz-Torres, Robert Garcia, Linley Mancilla, Gabriela Uro, Janeth Valenzuela
Immigrant Community
“Takis is a multilingual immigrant who chose Arlington in 2007 as his new home. In the 6+ years that he led the Columbia Pike Revitalization Organization, he worked directly with members of Arlington’s diverse, immigrant community. He is a strong advocate for regularly including our perspectives and voices in Arlington’s civic engagement processes.”
Jerry Botland, Rosa Briceno, Cynthia Cocuesta, Hailu Dama, Hon. Parisa Dehghani-Tafti, Ineke Lavoie, Susie Lee, Hon. Alfonso Lopez, Praveen Meyyan, Hon. Ingrid Morroy, Susan Norris, Jenny Osawa, Kathi Panfil, Sarah Porras, Hector Ramirez, Blanca Ramirez, Dolores Rubalcava, Gabe Rubalcava, Amsale Saife Selassie, Dewita Soeharjono, Hon. Tannia Talento, Brook Tekie, Hon. J. Walter Tejada, Gabriela Uro, Janeth Valenzuela, Marcelo J. Valenzuela, Hon. Emma Violand Sanchez, Joel S. Yudken
Cycling
“A cyclist himself, Takis has long worked in Arlington to support concrete, sustainable multimodal solutions, including a safe and comfortable bicycle network, safe and accessible walking routes, frequent and reliable transit and Vision Zero.”
Gillian Burgess, Henry Dunbar, Chris Slatt, Richard Price, Randy Swart, David Goodman, Mike Hanna, Collier Cook, Chris Mehrabi
Environment
“As an urban planner, economist, and former chair of EcoAction Arlington he has great credentials. Takis has shown a consistent, long-time advocacy for environmental sustainability in all its dimensions. He understands the importance of Arlington’s leadership in addressing climate change.”
Dean Amel, Mark Blacknell, Paul Bledsoe, John Bloom, Scott Brideau, Gillian Burgess, Scott Dicke, Kate Donohue, Jim Feaster, Paul Ferguson, Jay Fisette, Pam and Mark Fiumara, Bess and Michael Foley, Peter Geiger, Dave Gelman, Eric Harold, Leslie Keller, Rick Keller, Jonathan Morgenstein, John Morland, Mike Nardolilli, Nora Palmatier, Vivek Patil, Susan Peters, Mary Pike, Liz Rugaber, Terry Savela, Stuart Scott, John Seymour, Alan Shnerson, Scott Sklar, Steve Sockwell, Nancy Striniste, Barbara and Randy Swart
Housing
“As an urban planner, economist, and Vice-Chair of the Alliance for Housing Solutions, we all know Takis as a consistent advocate for affordable housing and the Missing Middle for many years.”
Miriam Balutis, Martha Bozman, Cathy & Carlos Celestino, Alison Evans Cuellar, Stephen D'Alessio, Karen Darner, Laura Saul Edwards, Beth & Ron Cogswell, Jane Green, Alice Hogan, Peg Hogan, Mary Hynes, Nina Janopaul, Arbora Johnson, Detta Kissel, Jenny Denney Lawson, Maureen Markham, Kathleen McSweeney, John Milliken, Pamela Quanrud, Cheryl Ramp, Mark Riley, Kathryn Scruggs, Karen Serfis, Celia Slater, Arlene Spinelli, Meredith Sumpter, Jean Sweeney, Bill Walsh
Seniors
“As an urban planner, economist, and civic activist, we all know well Takis’s consistent, long-time advocacy for creating livable places that work for everyone.”
Cynthia Davis, Jim Feaster, Marjorie Signer, Cragg Hines, Gloria Hurdle, Marjorie Hobart, Laurie Young, Erica Wood, Edd Nolen, Cathy Eckbreth, Herschel Kanter, Mark Habeeb, Richard and Jean Barton, Judy Connally, Peg Hogan, Joan McDermott
Mental Health
“As an economist and community planner, Takis understands the critical need to provide effective mental health and substance abuse services in a timely way, instead of waiting to react to crises.”
Karla Bright, Alisa Cowen, Deborah Elkinton, David FitzGerald, Heather Gale, Barry Gale, Erica Jackson, Florence Jones, Sandy Kunaish, Annette Lang, Jerry Long, Lee Long, Kerry McBride, Liz McHugh, Katharine Panfil, Sarah Roberts, Liz Ryan, Jon Sheldon, Laurel Starkey, Tannia Talento, Jo Ann Tooley, Nancy Van Doren, Naomi Verdugo, Michelle Woolley
Planners for Takis
“The fact that Arlington is a progressive and thriving community is no accident. It is the result of electing leaders who are committed to thoughtful long-term planning…Takis Karantonis is the person most qualified to serve on the County Board, and we endorse him.”
Dean Amel, Holly Bray, Gillian Burgess, Rosemary Ciotti, Steve Cole, Laura Saul Edwards, Christopher Forinash, Eric Goldstein, Brian Harner, Caroline Haynes, Alice Hogan, Nancy Iacomini, Dave Leibson, Jim Lantelme, Inta Malis, Kathleen McSweeney, Leo Sarli, Terry Savela, Marsha Semmel, Jane Siegel, Chris Slatt, Stephen Sockwell, Daniel Weir
Young Democrats
“Takis has a vision for Arlington that will greatly benefit the young people living and working in this county, a vast majority of whom are renters, burdened by student debt, and struggle to pay the rent every month.”
Grace Barnhill, Corey Barton, Sacha Brenac, Phebe Carlson, Maggie Davis, Michael Hemminger, Claire Hubert, Maya Jones, Dan Matthews, Matt Rogers, Matt Royer, Kevin Saucedo-Broach, Izzie Taveras, Henry Watkins, Kassi Yukevich, Alexandra Zins, Robert Julien
Community Leaders
Dean Amel
Danielle Arigoni
Ken Aughenbaugh
Shawn Baker
Miriam Balutis
Hon. Richard Barton
Jean Barton
Corey Barton
Mark Blacknell
Paul Bledsoe
John Bloom
Patti Bogenberger
Patrick Bogenberger
Jerry Botland
Lucy Bowen McCauley
Martha Bozman
Bernie Bradley
Holly Bray
Sacha Brenac
Rosa Briceno
Scott Brideau
Karla Bright
Sandra Brody
Gillian Burgess
Carol Burnett
Claudia Camacho
Phebe Carlson
Ali Carruthers
Cathy Celestino
Carlos Celestino
John Chandler
Rosemary Ciotti
Cynthia Cocuesta-Cuttier
Beth Cogswell
Ron Cogswell
Steve Cole
Christopher Concepción-Ballester
Judy Connally
Collier Cook
Alisa Cowen
Stephen D'Alessio
Hailu Dama
Hailu Dama
Karen Darner
Cynthia Davis
Maggie Davis
Antelmo DeLeon
Sheri Denkensohn, Esq.
Jenny Denney Lawson
Cristina Diaz-Torres
Scott Dicke
Kate Donohue
Henry Dunbar
Cathy Eckbreth
Deborah Elkinton
Alison Evans Cuellar
Nadia Facey
Jim Feaster
Hon. Jay Fisette
David FitzGerald
Pam Fiumara
Mark Fiumara
Bes Foley
Michael Foley
Carol Fontein
Christopher Forinash
Heather Gale
Barry Gale
Robert Garcia
Peter Geiger
Dave Gelman
Chanda Choun
Eric Goldstein
David Goodman
Jane Green
Mark Habeeb
Ronn Haddox
Mike Hanna
Brian Harner
Eric Harold
Caroline Haynes
Michael Hemminger
Cragg Hines
Juliet Hiznay
Marjorie Hobart
Alice Hogan
Peg Hogan
Gloria Hurdle
Hon. Mary Hynes
Nancy Iacomini
Erica Jackson
Nina Janopaul
Arbora Johnson
Florence Jones
Herschel Kanter
Josh Kaplowitz
Leslie Keller
Rick Keller
Erich Keppler
Heather Keppler
Andrew Kierig
Elizabeth Kiker
Detta Kissel
Sandy Kunaish
Hon. James Lander
Annette Lang
Jim Lantelme
Ineke Lavoie
Susie Lee
Dave Leibson
Nicole Lewis
Jerry Long
Inta Malis
Linley Mancilla
Maureen Markham
Dan Matthews
Kerry McBride
Joan McDermott
Liz McHugh
Sarah McKinley
Kathleen McSweeney
Chris Mehrabi
Melodee Melin
Praveen Meyyan
Hon. John Milliken
Jonathan Morgenstein
John Morland
Jarrod Nagurka
Mike Nardolilli
Edd Nolen
Susan Norris
Dr. Alfred O. Taylor Jr.
Jenny Osawa
Nora Palmatier
Katharine Panfil
Donna Parry
Vivek Patil
Mike Perkins
Susan Peters
Mary Pike
James Pizzuro
Sarah Porras
Richard Price
David Priddy
Pamela Quanrud
Michael Rafky
Davis Rajtik
Hector Ramirez
Blanca Ramirez
Cheryl Ramp
Taylor Reich
Mark Riley
Sarah Roberts
Matt Rogers
Natalie Roy
Matt Royer
Dolores Rubalcava
Gabe Rubalcava
Liz Rugaber
Liz Ryan
Jason Rylander
Amsale Saife Selassie
Amsale Saife Selassie
Leo Sarli
Kevin Saucedo-Broach
Laura Saul Edwards
Terry Savela
James Schroll
Stuart Scott
Kathryn Scruggs
Eva Sejas
Marsha Semmel
Karen Serfis
John Seymour
Jon Sheldon
Alan Shnerson
Jane Siegel
Marjorie Signer
Hon. Noah Simon
Scott Sklar
Celia Slater
Chris Slatt
Stacy Snyder
Steve Sockwell
Dewita Soeharjono
Arlene Spinelli
Laurel Starkey
Nancy Striniste
Meredith Sumpter
Barbara Swart
Randy Swart
Jean Sweeney
Hon. J. Walter Tejada
Brook Tekie
Jo Ann Tooley
Gabriela Uro
Janeth Valenzuela
Marcelo J. Valenzuela
Naomi Verdugo
Hon. Emma Violand-Sanchez
Symone Walker
Bill Walsh
Daniel Weir
Erica Wood
Michelle Woolley
Zakiya Worthey
Laurie Young
Joel S. Yudken
Kassi Yukevich
Jack Zetkulic
Hon. Chris Zimmerman
Alexandra Zin
Nicole Merlene
Charley Conrad