Keven J LeBlanc Jr (I), incumbent
candidate for Mayor, Town of Herndon.
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Sabrina A. Bruce (I)
Candidate for Herndon Town Council
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Josif N. Ezekilov (I)
Candidate for Herndon Town Council
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Cesar A. Del Aguila (I), Incumbent
Candidate for Herndon Town Council
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Douglas Isaac "Doug" Mejia (I)
Candidate for Herndon Town Council
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Kelvin Garcia (I), Incumbent
Candidate for Herndon Town Council
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Yasmin "Soniya" Shafiq (I)
Candidate for Herndon Town Council
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Meron T. Yohannes (I)
Candidate for Herndon Town Council
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Clark A. Hedrick (I), Incumbent
Candidate for Herndon Town Council
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Michael T. Lloyd (I) Incumbent
Candidate for Herndon Town Council
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Justin K. Britt (I)
Candidate for Herndon Town Council
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Stevan Michael Porter (I)
Candidate for Herndon Town Council
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The Connection Newspapers invited candidates on the ballot for the Town of Herndon election to participate in our 2026 Voter Guide. A total of 13 candidates are on the ballot as independents. Under Virginia state law (§ 24.2-613), election officials are prohibited from placing political party designations on the ballot for local offices. One candidate is running unopposed for the two-year mayoral term, while 12 candidates are vying for six two-year Town Council seats.
We asked the candidates about key issues facing the Town of Herndon, including housing affordability, local economic development, downtown revitalization, public safety and infrastructure priorities. We capped responses at 300 words. Candidates appear in the official ballot order set by state election officials. Members elected during the Nov. 3, 2026 midterms will officially take office Jan. 1, 2027, for the two-year, 2027-2028 term.
The Town of Herndon stands apart in Virginia as its third-largest incorporated town. It balances a historic downtown centered around its original rail depot, with a high-density tech district powering global cloud and data infrastructure. The town serves as a major technology and defense hub hosting key industry leaders like Serco Inc., HawkEye 360 and Cornerstone Defense. The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Silver Line Metrorail station directly connects the community's commercial core to Washington, D.C., and Dulles International Airport.
QUESTIONNAIRE
Q 1 Downtown Redevelopment & Transit-Oriented Growth
Herndon’s downtown redevelopment has faced years of delays, even as the Silver Line Metro station attracts interest in higher-density development. (a) What specific zoning and land-use policies will you support to ensure growth near the Metro station drives economic vitality without harming downtown's historic character or worsening traffic congestion? (b) How can Herndon most quickly and affordably reclaim ownership of the 4.675-acre downtown site after Comstock backed out of the redevelopment plan in December 2024?
Q2 Housing Affordability & Neighborhood Stability
Following Herndon's recent housing study and interim policy work, how do you plan to expand housing affordability across all HUD income tiers (0% to 80% AMI) while protecting neighborhoods from displacement and enforcing local property codes?
Q3 Homelessness, Public Space Use & Vehicular Habitation
Fairfax County administers social services, but Herndon directly controls municipal property, code enforcement, parking, and town police. How will you address continuous public space usage and vehicle habitation on town properties while balancing social service referrals with public safety and facility maintenance?
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Candidates for Mayor, Town Council, Town of Herndon
Mayor Keven J. LeBlanc Jr. (I)
Downtown Redevelopment & Transit-Oriented Growth: (a) I support concentrating greater density where it belongs: near Metro, with mixed-use zoning, public space, safer pedestrian and bicycle connections, parking management, and traffic analysis tied to development approvals. Downtown needs small-area guidance that protects scale, historic character, local storefronts, civic space, and walkability, while the Metro area carries higher-density growth. Herndon 2050, the Downtown Early Action Plan, and Metro-area planning I advanced should work together so growth strengthens our tax base and businesses without overwhelming neighborhoods or historic downtown. (b) On Lot H, the fastest, most affordable path is protecting taxpayers: enforce the Town’s contractual rights, maintain legal pressure for specific performance (ruling expected September 25), preserve leverage, and continue next-step planning.
Housing Affordability & Neighborhood Stability: Housing affordability requires data, partnerships, neighborhood stability, and a diversity of housing options. I support using the housing study and policy guidance we adopted this term to identify needs across income tiers, then matching tools to the problem: affordable set-asides where legally available, preservation of existing attainable housing, partnerships with Fairfax County and nonprofit providers, senior and workforce housing strategies, and careful review of zoning barriers. Affordability cannot mean tolerating unsafe or overcrowded conditions. We need consistent property maintenance enforcement, tenant education, landlord accountability, and anti-displacement strategies that help residents remain safely housed.
Homelessness, Public Space Use & Vehicular Habitation: We should respond with compassion and consistency. Fairfax County leads social services, but the Town manages public property, parking, code, sanitation, and safety. My approach is coordinated outreach first: HPD, Town staff, county homeless services, nonprofits, and faith partners connecting people to shelter, health care, food, and case management. But public spaces must remain safe, clean, and usable for everyone. That means clear rules, documented outreach, reasonable timelines, enforcement when necessary, vehicle and animal welfare checks, maintenance response, and communication with nearby residents.
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Candidates for Member, Town Council, Town of Herndon
Sabrina A. Bruce (I)
Downtown Redevelopment & Transit-Oriented Growth: (a) I support concentrating mixed-use density around Metro, where residents can walk, bike, or take transit, while preserving downtown’s smaller-scale historic character. If we add 1,000 homes, I do not want that to mean 1,000 more cars on our roads. New development should include strong pedestrian connections, public spaces, transit access, and traffic improvements. (b) After the legal issues with the Comstock property are resolved, we need a holistic review of what will work there. We have vacant properties in some of our most valuable areas, such as downtown and near the Metro, while other commercial areas are much healthier. Understanding why, and fixing it, will be a priority of mine.
Housing Affordability & Neighborhood Stability: Herndon needs housing at multiple price points, not just market-rate apartments. I support working with Fairfax County and using redevelopment and rezoning opportunities to add affordable units while preserving existing lower-cost housing. We also have an opportunity near Metro, where aging and underused office properties can be redeveloped into mixed-use neighborhoods. If we are going to grow, this is exactly where much of that growth should go. For existing neighborhoods, we can make accessory dwelling units easier to build. One idea is creating pre-approved, “off-the-shelf” ADU plans residents can use instead of starting from scratch. The affordability crisis is nationwide, but that does not remove our responsibility to help our neighbors here in Herndon.
Homelessness, Public Space Use & Vehicular Habitation: Public spaces should remain safe, clean, and usable by everyone. We should connect people experiencing homelessness with Fairfax County services and housing resources while consistently enforcing rules for overnight use, parking, sanitation, and unsafe behavior on Town property. Police should focus on genuine public-safety issues. Homelessness itself should not be treated as a crime, but the Town cannot ignore conditions that prevent everyone from using public spaces.
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Josif N. Ezekilov (I)
Downtown Redevelopment & Transit-Oriented Growth: (a) Given Herndon's projected population growth, we need to prioritize high-density residential zoning along the Metro corridor. Business development can be incentivized through more pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, insulating our small businesses from inequitable corporate competition, and imposing vacancy taxes to stimulate more business occupancy. Such development will not impact downtown’s charm, and traffic congestion will be eased through improved transportation links. (b) The only way to reclaim ownership of the downtown site is through the current legal process. As councilmember, I will ensure corporations like Comstock do not bully our town into doing their bidding.
Housing Affordability & Neighborhood Stability: I plan to focus on maximizing housing for those earning 40% of AMI ($60,000 per year) or less. This will ensure that Herndon’s teachers, firefighters, and police officers, and the rest of our working class- the lifeblood of our town’s economy- can afford to live and thrive here. The metro corridor and underoccupied office parks in town provide enough opportunity to increase housing without displacing current residents. Coordinating with county and state officials will ensure we lower housing costs in a sustainable way.
Homelessness, Public Space Use & Vehicular Habitation: Current statistics indicate that this isn’t a major public safety or maintenance issue. Our town staff does an amazing job serving our community, and my priority will be to assist them in continuing to do their job by prioritizing empathy and equity. Criminalizing unhoused people is both contrary to the neighborly values we uphold in Herndon, as well as an ineffective way to address the issue. Instead, Herndon should improve coordination with our county officials to better serve our most vulnerable populations. Fairfax’s Family Services department provides a variety of resources to those in need of assistance, but not enough people in need in Herndon are accessing them. Fixing service bottlenecks should be the priority of the next council.
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Cesar A. del Aguila (I)
Downtown Redevelopment & Transit-Oriented Growth: (a) Treat Metro and downtown as separate but complementary economic districts. Concentrate highest density—mixed-use and transit-oriented—at the Metro station as planned. This brings new housing, business, and tax revenue. My land-use priorities: Ensuring smooth transitions to neighborhoods and downtown. Improve connections between Metro and downtown to reduce car dependence. Prioritize mixed-use development that boosts Herndon’s tax base. (b) First, distinguish between buying the property and enforcing the Town’s contract rights. The Town’s goal is to enforce the contract for the property’s return, not simply repurchase it. The quickest, cheapest solution is a negotiated reconveyance; otherwise, litigation will decide. Future agreements should set milestones, deadlines, protections, and clear remedies, informed by recent lessons.
Housing Affordability & Neighborhood Stability: First, since zoning alone can’t solve affordability, we leverage incentives and redevelopment to create and preserve affordable units without overburdening Herndon taxpayers. Second, we need targeted solutions for each income tier. For 0–30% AMI, deeper subsidies and partnerships are essential. For 30–80% AMI, combine affordable units, workforce housing, and incentives tied to redevelopment. Third, preserving existing affordable housing is as important as building new. Finally, affordability must not compromise safe neighborhoods. I support proactive enforcement of building and rental standards to ensure safety and code compliance. My goal has been a balanced housing strategy: create and preserve affordable homes, protect residents, enforce codes, and maintain quality neighborhoods.
Homelessness, Public Space Use & Vehicular Habitation: We can help the homeless and keep public spaces safe. Fairfax County provides prevention, shelter, and outreach services. Herndon manages facilities, enforces rules, and ensures safety. My approach: Staff or police should first connect people to County services. Fairfax offers outreach for homelessness. The Town must maintain property and enforce rules. Facilities should not become indefinite residences. We must balance dignity with community standards.
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Douglas Isaac "Doug" Mejia (I)
Downtown Redevelopment & Transit-Oriented Growth: (a) As a councilmember, I will support higher density housing plans near the Metro. This way the Metro station and bus routes can be viewed as viable transport options for people to travel to work or to the downtown area without worsening traffic congestion. (b) Our first option should not be buying back the property from Comstock. We should look at enforcing the contract so the property is returned. If that does not give results we must look towards the route of litigation. As a councilmember I will call for future agreements to reflect the lessons learned from the contract with Comstock.
Housing Affordability & Neighborhood Stability: Herndon needs a realistic housing strategy that expands affordability without burdening taxpayers. Through partners and subsidies we can support 0-30% AMl, while helping 30-80% AMI through mixed-income projects that include workforce housing and affordable units. Preserving our existing housing is just as vital as building new units, and affordability must never compromise safety. We should be proactive in our code enforcement as we seek to expand affordable options. We cannot compromise protecting resident safety and preserving the character of our neighborhoods, both must go hand in hand.
Homelessness, Public Space Use & Vehicular Habitation: As a nurse, I know firsthand how critical it is to connect people with the right care, and addressing homelessness requires that same compassionate, resource first mindset. Staff and police should always begin by connecting individuals in need to Fairfax County’s services. Herndon must uphold local standards and care for its infrastructure so public facilities remain safe, clean, and accessible to all, rather than becoming long term living spaces. By combining clinical empathy with municipal management, we can support vulnerable residents while keeping our shared spaces safe and welcoming.
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Kelvin Garcia
Downtown Redevelopment & Transit-Oriented Growth:(a) I support concentrating the greatest density near the Herndon Metro Station, where transit and infrastructure can better accommodate growth, while preserving downtown’s historic character. Rezoning decisions should require traffic-impact analysis, pedestrian and bicycle improvements, parking strategies, and transportation-demand measures. Downtown development should follow appropriate design, scale, setback, and architectural standards. Near Metro, mixed-use projects should expand housing, support businesses, and strengthen the tax base without imposing unreasonable congestion, infrastructure costs, or neighborhood impacts over time. (b) Herndon should enforce its contractual rights to recover the downtown property while simultaneously pursuing a negotiated resolution that minimizes taxpayer expense and delay. The Town should prioritize obtaining clear title without repurchasing property previously conveyed for redevelopment. If negotiations or litigation do not produce a timely resolution, the Town should evaluate whether eminent domain is legally available and financially prudent. Any approach should protect taxpayers, accelerate redevelopment, and preserve Herndon’s long-term control of the site.
Q2 Housing Affordability & Neighborhood Stability: Herndon should expand housing affordability across the full 0% to 80% AMI range through zoning flexibility, mixed-income development, workforce housing, accessory dwelling units where appropriate, and partnerships with Fairfax County, nonprofits, and private developers. At the same time, the Town should preserve naturally affordable housing, reduce displacement, and provide relocation or rehabilitation support where feasible. Strong, fair enforcement of property, fire, building, and occupancy codes must ensure safe housing without unnecessarily displacing vulnerable residents equitably.
Q3 Homelessness, Public Space Use & Vehicular Habitation: Herndon should maintain town property, so it remains safe, sanitary, accessible, and available for public use while treating people experiencing housing instability with dignity. I support clear, consistently enforced rules governing parking, overnight use, sanitation, obstruction, and unsafe conduct, coupled with coordinated referrals to Fairfax County services. Police, Public Works, Community Development, and County agencies should follow written protocols. The goal should be lawful, humane, predictable enforcement that protects public safety without criminalizing poverty unnecessarily.
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Yasmin "Soniya" Shafiq (I)
Downtown Redevelopment & Transit-Oriented Growth: (a) Northern Virginia faces a housing shortage, Herndon included. Dense housing development (townhouses and apartments) near the Metro stop is necessary to accommodate a growing population and to drive economic development in Town with a larger tax base. Town must work with and negotiate with developers to incorporate parks and community spaces into new housing developments; our incoming Town residents should have the same high quality of life as the rest of Town. Along with a growing population, we need to add more safe sidewalks and bike lanes, and we need to work with local legislators to add bus lines to ease single-occupancy vehicle load on our roadways. (b) The judge will provide action on ownership of the site on September 25, 2026; when Town gets the deed back, we will have access to the land, which after necessary remediation, will be available to us for use.
Housing Affordability & Neighborhood Stability: We should simply mirror the greater Fairfax County affordable housing program and its parameters. This is a proven model that has been used for over 20 years. Incorporating affordable housing means that we get to hold on to our younger and less affluent Town residents – people who contribute to our economy and more importantly to our community.
Homelessness, Public Space Use & Vehicular Habitation: Herndon is a safe Town with a very appreciated police force. I plan to work with local community organizations to help our underserved and unhoused Town residents.
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Meron T. Yohannes (I)
Downtown Redevelopment & Transit-Oriented Growth: (a) I want us to stay true to the Transit-Related Growth (TRG) zoning district, which sits in the Planned Development-Transit-Oriented Core I helped shape as a Planning Commissioner. TRG is meant to increase walkability, housing, density, and mixed-use development while preserving downtown's character. This should be the densest part of town and our economic engine benefitting from more foot traffic and less car traffic. It’ll be vital to have a Town Council that turns a plan into reality. (b) For now, we must continue the legal route to reclaiming the lot. As councilwoman, I'll keep exploring ideas to utilize that space in the present and preparing a new vision for the land, work I've already started as the Planning Commission's representative on the Downtown Advisory Board.
Housing Affordability & Neighborhood Stability: Where redevelopment has the most appetite, I want to adopt an inclusionary zoning ordinance so affordable and diverse housing is the baseline expectation, not an afterthought. That gives us leverage to negotiate proffers for set-aside housing for folks making under $100K, and fund infrastructure that makes walkability and biking a focal point rather than car dependency. Affordability also means protecting the housing people already have. I want to strengthen code enforcement so existing rental units stay safe without pricing out tenants, make it easier for historic district homeowners to get repairs done, and find ways to lessen the utility burden driven up by data centers.
Homelessness, Public Space Use & Vehicular Habitation: We have seen an increase in unhoused folks since COVID-19, especially in privately owned businesses and vacant buildings. It's critical that social services reach these folks, so I want town staff and police to lead with referrals and County connections first, not citations or removal alone.
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Clark Hedrick (I)
Downtown Redevelopment & Transit-Oriented Growth: (a) The small area plans surrounding the Metro station were designed to maximize green space, accessibility, and infrastructure improvements through redevelopment; as individual site plans move through the approval process the Council must ensure those priorities are reflected in what is approved and built. ( b) The Town is currently awaiting an opinion in the litigation of this matter. The best thing the Council can do right now is to develop an actionable plan for the property, which can be executed as soon as the litigation has been finally resolved.
Housing Affordability & Neighborhood Stability: As the Council continues its work on housing affordability in the comprehensive plan, it needs to also be sensitive to Town policies and processes which drive housing and development costs: 1) We need to broaden our tax base and reduce real property tax rates. 2) We need to reduce the administrative time it takes from the submission of a site plan to permitting. 3) While it would take a law change in Richmond, I would like the Town to be able to shift to a land value-only tax so we are not penalizing property owners for making improvements to their land. Each of these would significantly impact the quality of housing, the cost of rent, and the barriers to home ownership in Town.
Homelessness, Public Space Use & Vehicular Habitation: The Herndon Police Department has undertaken exceptional efforts at building trust throughout our communities and neighborhoods. Addressing continuous public space usage and vehicle habitation on Town properties while balancing social service referrals with public safety and facility maintenance will require leveraging those relationships and collaborating with other Town departments to identify areas of acute concern.
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Michael T. Lloyd (I)
Downtown Redevelopment & Transit-Oriented Growth: Multiple development projects in the Metro Transit Area have been approved with one project to be completed and open in 2027. Successful development in this area is vital to the Town of Herndon remaining an economically viable and affordable place to live. While mixed use commercial and residential development was envisioned, market demands do not support such. Leaning into the demand for residential properties will ensure Herndon grows (up to a 30% increase in population), increases the tax base and provides new business opportunities in the town. Property and business taxes generated from Metro Area development could increase income to the town by $6M annually, shielding current Herndon residents from future tax increases and keep Herndon an affordable place to live. Growing the number of residents while continuing to focus on the cost-efficiency of town operations and services can stabilize per-capita costs (e.g., property taxes) in the years ahead.
Housing Affordability & Neighborhood Stability: Recent developments regarding the development of Lot H (Comstock), specifically the courts’ decision in favor of the developer, is another blow, another delay, in the effort to build upon the Heart of Herndon. This decision effects every resident and every business in the town. There is no quick or affordable path to reclaiming this site from the developer. Herndon will appeal the recent decision, and I believe will ultimately prevail in our quest to recover this property, but the time line is not under the control of the town. I encourage all residents to contact their elected representatives at the state level in protest of this outcome and seek statewide support to return Lot H to the town.
Homelessness, Public Space Use & Vehicular Habitation: From roadway safety action planning to partnerships with social service agencies, Herndon’s focus on public safety and resident support is part of every decision the town makes on its journey into the future.
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Justin K. Britt (I)
Redevelopment & Transit-Oriented Growth: (a) Density should be concentrated closest to Metro and major corridors, with mixed-use development that puts housing, restaurants, retail, offices and public spaces within walking distance of transit. As development moves toward established neighborhoods, building height, scale and density should transition appropriately. Developers hate uncertainty, and we have lost opportunities in the past because of a lack of clarity. We need clear, predictable zoning guidelines and then adhere to them through our TRG and Comprehensive Plans. (b) My priority is getting downtown moving again. I will continue protecting the Town’s legal position while pursuing a negotiated settlement. Then I will pursue a vibrant mixed-use downtown with retail, outdoor dining, arts and residential space. In the interim, use low-cost temporary parks and pop-up vendor hubs to activate vacant spaces. Don’t wait for the perfect long-term plan to bring downtown to life.
Housing Affordability & Neighborhood Stability: I support expanding housing choices across income levels while protecting the stability and character of existing neighborhoods. The majority of new housing should be concentrated in the Metro-area development, where there is room to accommodate growth. We should look to use tools like density bonuses and expedited permitting to encourage public benefits, such as affordable/workforce housing, affordable ownership opportunities and public green space. Because homeownership is an important way to build wealth and provide a long-term stake in a community, I support zoning policies that prioritize for-sale condos and townhomes over rental-only developments.
Homelessness, Public Space Use & Vehicular Habitation: Compassion and accountability can go together. We can treat people experiencing homelessness with dignity while keeping public spaces safe, clean, and accessible for families and residents. The goal is not to simply move people from place to place, but to connect them with help while preserving public spaces for the entire community.
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Alexis "Alex" Reyes (I)
Did not respond
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Stevan Michael Porter (I)
Redevelopment & Transit-Oriented Growth: (a) Many delays are due to economic factors (supply chain, inflation, etc.) that are outside the control of either the developers or the town. We must ensure that our policies are consistent with surrounding jurisdictions and that we have made our processes as user friendly as possible to minimize procedural delays. For zoning, a good mix of residential, office space, and assorted businesses will be critical to make the Metro area an attractive area to live, work, and play. We should also zone this area with a reduced focus on car based requirements as many who elect to live in this area are focused on alternative transportation options.(b) For the downtown situation, we have to let this play out in the courts (including likely appeals) while planning for the next steps for when we get OUR property back.
Housing Affordability & Neighborhood Stability: Housing affordability is a critical problem for everyone. Our best option is to spend responsibly to keep overall property tax rates down. This benefits both owners and renters. Where appropriate (particularly in the Metro area) we can also work on some higher density housing, different sized units, and the inclusion of rent controlled offerings. We must be sure that our policies are in-line with others in the area though so we do not scare developers away which would result in fewer housing options for everyone.
Homelessness, Public Space Use & Vehicular Habitation: In this economy, these problems are likely to get worse before they get better. The key here is to actively partner with county resources (we pay for these!) and local community organizations like Cornerstones to figure out options which we can then communicate to those in need.