Nicole Raz
WMAL

WASHINGTON, VA. (WMAL) — Democratic voters in Arlington head to to the polls Tuesday for a primary. There’s two spots to be filled on the County Board. With last year’s special election of Republican-turned-Independent John Vihstadt, many are wondering what type of Democrat voters will choose.

“There’s a wide gulf between these candidates,” says local political blogger and former Democratic strategist Ben Tribbett.
“Last year’s election of John Vihstadt to the Arlington County Board has changed everyone’s perspective on what the voters in Arlington are looking for.”

The six Democrats competing for their party’s nomination are sounding a bit more Republican than candidates used to.

“They’re not just looking for cuts to taxes in the traditional, Republican mold,” Tribbet told WMAL. “They’re looking at how do we cut back some of these vanity projects,” like the infamous streetcar and proposal for a million-dollar bus stop, he said.

While primary voters are usually a candidate’s base, Arlington’s candidates seem to be appealing to more of a cash-conscious general election electorate, he said.

Since there are two seats open of five, a change in the board could have a strong impact.

“I don’t know if it will be a more moderate board, but I think it’s going to be a board that’s much more receptive that’s listening to the public in Arlington and being more fiscally responsibility.”

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