Jul 29, 2025
Ken Balbuena, a common sense community leader, formally enters the race to potentially succeed James Walkinshaw as the Braddock District Supervisor.
Ken Balbuena officially announced his candidacy for Braddock District Supervisor on July 29, 2025. Ken is a common sense community leader who has lived in Fairfax County for more than 20 years. He is seeking to increase the Board's diversity by being its first ever Asian American (Filipino) elected. Balbuena seeks to succeed Supervisor James Walkinshaw should there be an opening in the Braddock District following the special election for Congress in September.
"I am running to bring balance to the Board of Supervisors and to put People Before Politics," Balbuena said. "This is not only my campaign slogan, but it is a promise. People should be the top priority for the Board of Supervisors, not politicking or supporting only along party lines. Adopting constituent-focused needs is the same approach I used as civic association president to unite our community, and I look forward to work together with you as the next Braddock District Supervisor."
To that end, Balbuena spoke to several community leaders to understand their needs and watched hours of recent public hearings to build a platform around key issues of importance to Braddock District residents. Balbuena’s top five campaign priorities are:
Address the commercial vacancy rate to reduce the burden on residential taxpayers.
Advance key Braddock District projects such as preserving Lake Accotink and fixing Braddock Road.
Promote safe and inclusive neighborhoods through increased funding for first responders, community organizations, and nonprofits while supporting the military and our Federal workforce.
Improve fiscal responsibility through more continuous collaboration with the School Board beyond the budget development process and greater advocacy for state funding.
Restore confidence and trust in the Board of Supervisors to reassure those we represent that their voices are heard.
Ken has served in a variety of community roles, including civic association president, PTA president, chair of the Fairfax County Public Schools’ Adult and Community Education Advisory Committee, board member of Visit Fairfax (the County’s official travel and tourism board), member of the Future of Lake Accotink Task Force, and member of the Fairfax County Consolidated Community Funding Pool Selection Advisory Committee. Several of his community service positions have been through political appointments from both Republican and Democratic elected officials. He has served on numerous nonprofit boards and served as a youth sports coach.
On a personal level, Balbuena survived a ruptured brain aneurysm in 2017 and credits his Catholic faith as a key factor in his miraculous survival. He and his wife, Kristy, are proud parents of two children attending Fairfax County Public Schools in the Annandale High School pyramid. Making his community as best as it can be for his daughters is a top motivator for Balbuena’s desire to become the next Braddock District Supervisor.
Balbuena is endorsed by former Braddock District Supervisor John C. Cook, current Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity, former Catholic school superintendent Dr. Timothy J. McNiff, former college chief of police Dan Dusseau, and several former civic association and PTA presidents.
"The job of district supervisor is first and foremost one of serving the community," Cook said. "I know of no one better in the Braddock District to fill that role than Ken Balbuena. Ken started his service, as did I, with his civic association. He knows the importance of on-the-ground issues like neighborhood speeding, financing local pools, and crime prevention. He understands the balance needed between funding schools and necessary services and setting the property tax rate at a manageable level. His service on Visit Fairfax and other committees gave him a critical appreciation for the critical need for economic development, which funds our economy and government. Ken is a family man who knows the needs of our families. He is the right person for the job and has my wholehearted support and endorsement."
Ken will be promoting his community service record while seeking the endorsement from the Fairfax County Republican Committee should there be a special election following the 11th Congressional District special election.
Balbuena is planning a kickoff event that will be announced on his website www.KenForBraddock.com and social media platforms. Media can view his announcement video on YouTube and download his headshot:
Announcement: https://youtu.be/Pscz1HNH83w
Headshot: https://drive.google.com/file/d/13szjVBuga9mj17HwZ8bjehVDUBGRT9IJ/view?usp=sharing.
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