UPDATED: Annandale Voters Re-Elect Gross, Cook, Saslaw

Annandale residents cast their ballots as predicted on Tuesday evening, keeping incumbents Penelope Gross and John Cook in their seats on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and sending House delegates and state Senators back to Richmond on Tuesday.

Also see:

• : See results from the key races across southern Fairfax County.
• : Election Day in Northern Virginia
• See our full election coverage at annandale.patch.com/topics/participate.

Fairfax County Board of Supervisors

In the Board of Supervisors chairperson’s race, incumbent Democrat Sharon Bulova retained her seat, defeating Republican Michael “Spike” Williams, Independent candidate Will Radle and Independent candidate Christopher DeCarlo.

In reference to both her own race and that of other Board of Supervisors candidtes, Bulova said Tuesday night, “I’m very pleased with the results.”

Bulova received 59.40 percent of the votes; Williams received 35.59 percent; DeCarlo received 3.40 and Radle received 1.53 percent.

Michael "Spike" Williams thanked his wife and supporters as he acknowledged his loss to Sharon Bulova at the Fairfax GOP party in Falls Church.

Last time DeCarlo ran he only got 1 percent, and he told Patch he attributes his new success to his rap campaign video. "I'll run every year, " DeCarlo said, hinting that he might run for Congress in 2012.

In an emailed statement to Patch, Will Radle thanked those who voted for him.  "Yesterday, thousands of voters, including Democrats, Independents and Republicans, voted for an obscure candidate committed to uniting our community around our shared best interests, our highest values and investing in our greatest priorities.  How do we know?  They told us.  More voters would support our campaign if they knew of our cause and if they knew we can win and create a culture of listening.  We will organize and advocate the best future for families and our community."

Mason District

Democrat incumbent Mason District Supervisor solidly defeated Republican challenger , 65 percent to 34 percent, respectively, on Tuesday evening.

"The theme of my campaign was 'people focused, proven results', and I think the voters demonstrated that. They agreed with my campaign theme," said Gross.

In an e-mail to Patch, Feld said he will turn his campaign website into an "action plan and programs for a great Mason District and a better Fairfax County."

"Thank you all for voting this week. A special thank you to all who supported me publicly or quietly," said Feld.

Braddock District

Republican incumbent to his second term as Braddock District Supervisor on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday evening in what was largely considered one of the most contended races in the county.

"There are independent voices in the Braddock District, and our voices are going to be heard on the Board of Supervisors,” said Cook in his victory speech at the Fairfax County Republication Committee party at the Fairview Marriott in Falls Church.

"This race became a referendum on if a non-Bulova person could hold office in the Braddock District.  The answer is yes,” said Cook.

The Braddock race remained extremely close throughout the evening with Cook and Oleszek each taking the lead as precinct results came in. The two candidates were even split by as little as 100 votes at one point,. Independent candidate Carey Campbell carried only 2.8 percent, or just under 650 votes, of the total votes by the end of Tuesday evening.

Ben Tribbett, Oleszek's campaign manager, told Patch she called Cook on Tuesday evening to congratulate him, but does not plan to release a statement about the results.

Providence District

Incumbent Linda Smyth beat her Republican Chris Grisafe 63 percent to 36 percent, respectively, on Tuesday evening.

Smyth told Patch she thought it came down to constituent services, instead of big issues. On Tuesday, she said she heard "thank you" from her constituents at the polls in her racewhat she heard more than anything at the polls was "thank you" for answering calls and addressing concerns"that made a difference to people"

Grisafe, who has lived in Fairfax County for six years and in the Providence District for one year, pledged accountability and promised to really listen to residents in his campaign.

"This has been worthwhile run, and I am grateful for all of the support that I have received along the way. I look forward to continuing to push for greater transparency in our county's budget, and to being a standing voice for positive change in our community," Grisafe told Patch via e-mail.

Smyth has served on the Board of Supervisors since 2004. A Providence district resident for 27 years, Smyth has worked on efforts to revitalize Merrifield and has championed bike- and pedestrian-friendly efforts in the area.

Fairfax County Public Schools Board

In one of the most watched Fairfax County races this season, , and walked away with victories in the at-large school board race Tuesday night.

It was the "most intense" Fairfax County School Board race in years, and also among the largest. Seven candidates sought the board's three at-large seats, two of them vacated by incumbents who chose not to seek re-election. Voters also approved a $252.75 bond issue.

Mason District

Mason District School Board representative Sandy Evans ran unopposed and retained her seat on the Fairfax County School Board. Evans was elected to the School Board in a special election in 2010.

Braddock District

In the Braddock District, defeated . McLaughlin, who received 59.97 percent of the votes, has made a name for herself in local education advocacy through Fairfax Education Coalition, FAIRGRADE and Renovate Woodson Now (RENEW). FAIRGRADE, founded by McLaughlin and three others, petitioned the school system to re-evaluate grading policies. She also was on the leadership team of RENEW and co-founded the Fairfax Education Coalition. Hurley, who is retired from the U.S. Navy, told Patch earlier this year that disaster preparedness is lacking in Fairfax Public Schools. She also wants to increase community input in school affairs, improve school instruction and reduce class sizes.

Providence District

ran unopposed for the school board in the Providence District. "Mine was a race against the status-quo," said Reed at the Fairfax County Republication Committee party at the Fairview Marriott in Falls Church.

Virginia Senate

34th District – Petersen/Culipher

Incumbent , a Democrat in the 34th senate district, defeated Gerarda Culipher with approximately 60 percent of the votes. Petersen has served in the Virginia State Senate since 2008.

Petersen, who grew up in Fairfax City, told Patch earlier this year solving transportation issues in the district has always been a priority. He's confident in the ongoing projects — namely the HOT lanes project, the Fair Lakes-Fairfax County Parkway interchange and Gallows Road improvements — and wants to continue to improve commutes, but said he stays realistic about the costs.

Culipher ran on the platform, "Cut your taxes, cut your commute, for your family." As a self-described bedrock conservative—endorsed by Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli (R)—Culipher said she believes it is possible to lower taxes and fix transportation issues in Northern Virginia. Keeping taxes low entices new taxpayers, whether corporate or individual, she told Patch. Culipher lived in Maryland for years before moving to Oakton three years ago.

35th District – Saslaw/Sarvis/Pettigrew

, the Democrat incumbent in the 35th district, fended off a challenge from , winning with more than 60 percent of the votes. Saslaw has served in the Virginia State Senate since 1980 (he was in the House of Delegates before that). Of the issues affecting the 35th district, Saslaw said transportation and education are two of his biggest concerns. Saslaw said he’s a big advocate for transportation and supports the Dulles metrorail projects and the HOT Lanes, which affect much of his district.

"I cannot thank you enough for all of the support you have given me and Senate Democrats this year. I am honored to have the privilege of serving Northern Virginia in the state Senate for another four years and I will keep fighting for all of Virginia’s families," Saslaw said in a messagel his supporters.

Sarvis, a resident of Annandale, also pegged transportation and education as central issues in his campaign. Returning control to the local governments instead of the state was also a priority for Sarvis. Independent Green candidate Katherine Pettigrew, who is on the faculty at George Mason University in the Chemistry department, was also on the ballot.

"Thank you to all the volunteers and poll workers who made election day possible. Congratulations to all the candidates in the region who won election or re-election," Sarvis said in an e-mail to Patch.

37th District – Marsden/Flanary

Incumbent Democrat faced for the 37th district state senate seat and is returning to Richmond. Marsden, who received about 53.6 percent of the votes, had served in the House of Delegates from 2006 - 2009 and was sent to the Senate in a special election in January 2010. Marsden spent 17 years as chief administrator for the 121-bed Fairfax County Juvenile Detention Center in the 1980s and 1990s before getting into politics.

Transportation and the environment are among his key issues. “Finding a compromise on transportation funding that involves both party and regional differences has been a challenge,” Marsden said. “The south does not want to alleviate our transportation problems even though we fund 80 percent of their schools.

Flanary, a former marine, has worked for the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce and now works at ccAdvertising. This is his first time running for elected office. “I decided to stop yelling at the TV and run for office instead,” Flanary said. Flanary said that the key issue he is focusing on is transportation. “We need to look for creative ways to ease congestion,” Flanary said. Flanary also said that he would advocate for policies that support businesses.

Virginia House

38th District – Kory/Leslie

, who has served in the House of Delegates since 2010 in the 38th district. Kory defeated Independent Green Party candidate . Kory said she considers her style of representation progressive, honest, clear and accessible. She is an advocate of increased citizen participation, meets regularly with constituents and has formed an Education Advisory Committee and an Environmental Advisory Team.

"During the past two years I have worked to make your voice heard in
Richmond, and to make a difference for Northern Virginia," Kory said in a message sent to her supporters. "I pledge to continue to
oppose ideologically-driven legislation and work to build
a realistic agenda based upon the needs of our community as we move
into the 2012--2013 General Assembly Session."

39th District – Watts/Kolazas

Vivian Watts, the 39th district delegate, won against Independent Green Party candidate Dimitris Kolazas. Watts, who received 76.53 percent of the votes, has served as a delegate since 1998. Watt is the former executive director of Fairfax County Court Appointed Special Advocates (for children), a non-profit organization, and was the Virginia Secretary of Transportation and Public Safety from 1986 to 1990. Transportation is still important to Watts.

“I believe the over 20 percent of drivers who aren't Virginia residents should be contributing through the gas tax, which hasn't been raised in 25 years and is well below all of our neighboring states.  In addition, I will continue to work with bi-partisan efforts to establish dedicated transportation revenue raised in Northern Virginia and kept in Northern Virginia,” Watts wrote on her website.

53rd District – Jim Scott

Del. Jim Scott ran unopposed and retained his seat in the 53rd House District. Scott was elected to the House in 1991. He previously taught at Edison High School and served as Providence District Supervisor on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in 1971, 1975, 1979, and 1983.

Other Races

In the Fairfax County sheriff’s race, Republican William Cooper challenged current Sheriff Stan Barry in a race that was fairly close throughout the evening. Barry won with 54.4, crediting his experience for the win. "Honestly, I think I had a long record that people could look at," Barry said.

Cooper is a former deputy sheriff lieutenant.  Barry has been Fairfax County Sheriff for 12 years, though there was a over Barry's participation in the DROP program.

Barry said the DROP attacks hurt his opponent, because people in Fairfax want a positive campaign.

"All of that stuff was just very negative."

Current Commonwealth’s Attorney Raymond Morrogh, a Democrat, ran unopposed. Morrogh has been CA since 2007.

for three open positions for Fairfax County Soil and Water Conservation director in the Northern Virginia District. The agency's goal, according to its website, "is to promote clean streams and protected natural resources."  It is not a regulatory agency, but provides technical expertise in soils, conservation engineering, water quality and erosion control. George W. Lamb, John W. Peterson and Johna Good Gagnon won.