Newly elected Brentsville District Supervisor Jeanine Lawson celebrates her victory with supports at Mama Mia's restaurant in Gainesville Tuesday night.Following a long campaign, Jeanine Lawson and her supporters celebrated a clear victory in her bid for the Brentsville District Supervisor seat Tuesday night.
Waiting for the final election results to be announced, they gathered at Mama Mia’s in Gainesville, which Lawson said is her favorite family restaurant.
At 9 p.m., it was standing room only at the Italian restaurant, supporters waited to make their way to Lawson and give her their congratulations.
Among attendees were Del. Rich Anderson (51st), Occoquan Supervisor Michael May and Gainesville School Board Representative Alyson Satterwhite. When local education activist, Kim Simmons entered the room, she let out a loud cheer.
At this time, most of the precincts were in, and supporters were already celebrating. However, it was not yet official. When supporters learned on their smart phones that Victory Elementary, the last district, had reported, Lawson cheered and high-fived her friends and supporters.
“I’m not surprise at all,” said supporter Jen Algorri.
However Lawson said it was unexpected, saying, “You can’t predict numbers in a Special Election, three-way race, especially two days before Christmas.”
She said she believes her community involvement made the difference in putting her ahead of her competition in the election.
“I think it is because I’ve been active in the community for so long. I’ve been known throughout the district and people don’t just know me, they know me as a community leader.”
Lawson also said she wants to thank all of her supporters and those who voted for her, saying, “Thank you. I’ve very grateful.”
“Jeanine and I have very similar perspectives on issues,” he said, “but issues aside, I love people who are called into public service because they have a heart for public service,” Anderson said.
He added that the most admirable people in all of human history are those who employ a model of leadership through service. “That’s the approach she brought. Others realized that, and look at the results.”
Lawson said when she takes her place as Supervisor on the Board of County Supervisors, she knows she will be put to work immediately.
“We are entering a very busy cycle with the budget. some land use cases that have been on the back burner.”
She assures her supporters that she does not support the Stone Haven development, and before she would consider supporting it, it would need to undergo significant changes.
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