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This event, moderated by Scott E. Pedowitz of the Apartment and Office Building Association, marked the eleventh consecutive year that the Chamber has hosted a business-themed candidate forum. Candidates discussed important policy issues, including housing, business regulations, commercial office vacancy, and reductions to the federal workforce.
In their introductory remarks, candidates highlighted economic uncertainties and emphasized the need for policies that support businesses during this period. Democratic incumbent Takis Karantonis referenced the Business Leader 2025 Q2 survey, which the Arlington Chamber contributed to, describing concerns from business leaders on the regional economy.
The candidates provided their perspective on how Arlington should best assist impacted businesses and workers in the wake of reductions in the federal workforce. "With our county's reliance on the nation's capital, the County Board needs to be passing policy and supporting businesses and our federal workers who have been let go," said Independent candidate Jeramy Olmack. "We should be collaborating with our local businesses to identify and utilize talents to help strengthen our community."
The discussion moved to the Arlington County budget, and candidates were asked what programs would they cut, if necessary, to balance the budget. "I will tell you what I would not start to cut, and that's our social safety net," said Democratic incumbent Takis Karantonis. "We have discretionary room on capital investments. They can be stretched, they can be slowed down." Karantonis further noted that this year's budget did not include an increase in the real estate tax rate, stating that shifting the burden to taxpayers "cannot happen."
On the subject of housing, candidates broadly expressed support for Arlington County's adaptive reuse policy for office buildings. "If elected, I would encourage the adaptive reuse for residential policy," said independent candidate Audrey Clement. "I think we have four projects in the works - two in Ballston, two in Crystal City - but we need to provide much more."
On the topic of commercial vacancy, Democratic candidate James DeVita laid out his proposal for attracting more businesses to Arlington. "I would offer a program that will either temporarily lower or actually eliminate business taxes from new businesses in Arlington," said DeVita. "If a business is willing to commit to Arlington for five to seven years, we can either eliminate or readily reduce business taxes for a couple of years to entice them."
DeVita and Karantonis are running in the June 17 Democratic primary election. Early voting is underway and will continue until June 14. Clement and Olmack, as Independents, will face the winner of the Democratic primary in the November 4 general election. The general election will use ranked choice voting. For more information on voting, please see the Arlington Votes website.
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