Bristow Beat, Anti-Digital Gateway Activist Endorses Deshundra Jefferson for Chair

Inside Nova, Newcomer Jefferson taking on incumbent Wheeler in Democratic primary for Prince William chair

Deshundra has a bachelor's degree in political science from Columbia University and a master’s degree in communication from Johns Hopkins University. She is a single mom and lives in Montclair.

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Deshundra is an adjunct professor at Northern Virginia Community College. She used to be a political reporter in Jackson, Mississippi. She also worked at Credit Union National Association, Democratic National Committee, and U.S. House of Representatives. She is on the boards of the Virginia Poverty Law Center and the Nob Hill Forest Townhome Association.

Deshundra L. Jefferson’s campaign for board of supervisors chair is her first entry into politics.

Said "Prince William County relies too heavily on data centers to boost our county’s bottom line."

Opposes the Prince William Digital Gateway project, which would increase the number of data centers in the county.

Supports more funding for bus rapid transit service.

Stated, "Data centers and asphalt plants belong in industrial areas, not next to homes or schools."

- Said "Prince William County relies too heavily on data centers to boost our county’s bottom line."
- Opposes the Prince William Digital Gateway project, which would increase the number of data centers in the county.
- Supports more funding for bus rapid transit service.
- Stated, "Data centers and asphalt plants belong in industrial areas, not next to homes or schools."

Transportation & Infrastructure

Wants to create more options for affordable housing and said "we cannot solely rely on multifamily housing to close the gap."

- Wants to create more options for affordable housing and said "we cannot solely rely on multifamily housing to close the gap."

Housing & Urban Development

Supports issuing bonds to accelerate school construction and renovations.

Wants to pay teachers higher salaries in order to improve teacher retention rates.

- Supports issuing bonds to accelerate school construction and renovations.
- Wants to pay teachers higher salaries in order to improve teacher retention rates.

Public Services

Supports community policing practices, where the police are posted in the same areas over time in order to develop relationships with community members

Wants programs that incentivize law enforcement officers to live in the neighborhoods they work in.

Supports more summer jobs program for at-risk youth and young adults.

Supported placing more police on the streets, but stated "that’s not the sole answer to solving the problem."

- Supports community policing practices, where the police are posted in the same areas over time in order to develop relationships with community members
- Wants programs that incentivize law enforcement officers to live in the neighborhoods they work in.
- Supports more summer jobs program for at-risk youth and young adults.
- Supported placing more police on the streets, but stated "that’s not the sole answer to solving the problem."

Public Safety

Wants to diversify the county's commercial tax base by attracting more businesses to the area, especially small businesses.

Opposed the Board of County Supervisors’ interest in raising taxes at the start of the pandemic.

- Wants to diversify the county's commercial tax base by attracting more businesses to the area, especially small businesses.
- Opposed the Board of County Supervisors’ interest in raising taxes at the start of the pandemic.

Taxes & Budget

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Deshundra L. Jefferson

Jeanine is originally from Iowa. She has lived in Prince William County for 28 years. She has a bachelor's degree from the University of Northern Iowa. She lives with her husband and son in Gainesville. She attends Grace Life Community Church.

Information on Jeanine M. Lawson' professional background is not available at this time.

Jeanine M. Lawson is currently a county supervisor for Prince William County representing the Brentsville District. She was first elected in 2014 and has been in office for two terms. She previously ran to be the state delegate representing District 10, but did not win.

Opposes the Pathway to 2040 Comprehensive Plan, which is the county's plan for development and growth.

Said she would "not acquiesce to developers and big business."

As a county supervisor, voted against the Prince William Digital Gateway, which is a plan to develop data centers along Pageland Lane to create a technology corridor.

- Opposes the Pathway to 2040 Comprehensive Plan, which is the county's plan for development and growth.
- Said she would "not acquiesce to developers and big business."
- As a county supervisor, voted against the Prince William Digital Gateway, which is a plan to develop data centers along Pageland Lane to create a technology corridor.

Inside NoVa, Supervisor Lawson launches bid for Prince William County chair

Opposes high-density housing, like apartment buildings.

- Opposes high-density housing, like apartment buildings.

Opposes education on race and racism and sex and sexuality.

Supports parents getting more power to decide what children learn at school, instead of the school system and educators deciding curriculum.

- Opposes education on race and racism and sex and sexuality.
- Supports parents getting more power to decide what children learn at school, instead of the school system and educators deciding curriculum.

Said she "boldly rejects the 'Defund the Police' nonsense."

- Said she "boldly rejects the 'Defund the Police' nonsense."
- Supports raising pay for the police.

Opposes the Meals Tax, which is a tax on food and beverages that is in addition to sales taxes.

- Opposes the Meals Tax, which is a tax on food and beverages that is in addition to sales taxes.
- Supports lowering taxes on real estate.

Jeanine M. Lawson

- The chairman of the board of supervisors works together with members of the board to set and implement county policy. 
- The board of supervisors is tasked with approving the county budget, setting local tax rates, approving plans for land use in the county, and appointing county officials. 
- The chairman of the board calls meetings, sets the agenda, chooses officials to appoint to county commissions and boards, and voters along with other board members. 
- The chairman of the board of supervisors represents the entire county. 
- Most board of supervisors chairs in Virginia are elected in odd years to four year terms. Elections are partisan.


Prince William Board of Supervisors Chair

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Transportation & Infrastructure

Housing & Urban Development

Public Services

Public Safety

Taxes & Budget