Braddock District Candidates Debate Roundup

Candidates for the Braddock District went head-to-head last night in Braddock Hall.

Republican incumbent John Cook, Democrat Janet Oleszek, and Independent candidate Carey Campbell participated in the 90-minute debate.

Questions from the audience ranged from transportation topics, to economic development. To read a full transcript of last night’s debate with all of the questions presented to the candidates, read over our live blog of the debate.

On the issue of transportation, each candidate presented a different approach to improving issues of traffic.

Cook stressed more local control over roadwork improvements, suggesting that the county take a more active role. Oleszek rebutted by saying that the equipment that the county would be required to buy for those improvements would override the benefits.

“The labor involved in paying for those improvements would only have to come from taxes...We can't afford that," Oleszek said.

Campbell, meanwhile, stressed the development of more rail systems.

“We need more trains and less traffic...Where you build rail, you grow jobs, you save lives,” Campbell said.

On the topic of economic development, Cook said that he would want to keep taxes for businesses low to encourage them to develop. 

“I support Tysons Corner development. It's environmentally friendly-development. I would also want to see workforce housing to create a new urban mixed-use center on rail,” Cook said.

Oleszek said that “Economic development in Fairfax County is enhanced by the good schools,” while Campbell again suggested that a more robust rail system would stimulate the area economy.

The next debate will take place on September 24.