Dana Kauffman, the soft-spoken but outspoken Fairfax County supervisor who led the charge during numerous regulatory and transportation battles, announced Monday his intention to retire from the board at the end of his term.
Kauffman, a Democrat, has represented the populous Lee District since he was first elected in 1995 and has since emerged as one of the board’s most high-profile members. Hours into Monday’s board meeting, he relayed to his colleagues, reporters and the sparse audience his intention not to be on the ballot in November. The announcement sets up an open spot at the helm of the state’s largest local government.
He said his decision stems from the resolution of challenges he came into office to address, like revitalization in Springfield and the completion of the Kingstowne community.
“I had to decide whether to dream up a new set of challenges or decide to move on, and decided it’s best to move on,” Kauffman said.
Kauffman never shied from the spotlight on hot-button issues. Most recently, he has been an outspoken critic of both a massive worker influx at Fort Belvoir and the state’s handling of the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project, which he called his “greatest and ongoing frustrations.” He also recently challenged residential overcrowding and unlicensed contractors.
Mount Vernon District Supervisor Gerald Hyland, whose district abuts Kauffman’s, called his colleague an “elected official’s elected official.” Chairman Gerald Connolly called Kauffman’s retirement “a terrible blow.”
The Lee District supervisor followed his announcement with a call to stop the loss of “neighborhood stability” in Fairfax County, urging for tighter enforcement of county ordinances.
Kauffman also represents Virginia on Metro’s board of directors.
