Incumbent Tim Duffy is running for re-election to city council in Fredericksburg. Duffy is currently the principal at James Monroe High School and has served on city council since 2014. He first came to Fredericksburg to attend Mary Washington College and earned his doctorate from University of Virginia before becoming a professor at Mary Washington College. He later worked at Fredericksburg Public Schools, holding multiple positions before becoming principal at James Monroe. He and his wife raised their two children in Fredericksburg.
Duffy has supported environmental protections in Fredericksburg. This year, he supported a 5-cent tax on plastic bags to help reduce plastic use in the city. He voted against an application from Royal Farms to build a convenience store and gas station in Fredericksburg, citing the environmental concerns surrounding the business being based on fossil fuel and the large parking lot. Duffy also voted in favor of a resolution committing the city to running city operations with 100 percent renewable energy by 2035 and powering the entire city with 100 percent renewable energy sources by 2050.
Duffy has supported efforts to improve racial equity in Fredericksburg. Speaking out after Black Lives Matter protestors were mistreated by city police, he emphasized his desire to see the complete elimination of white privilege. He and the council planned multiple community-wide discussions for strategic planning on improving racial equity in the city. Duffy also voted in favor of a resolution that urged the General Assembly to rename Jefferson Davis Highway, and the road has since been renamed “Emancipation Highway.” Additionally, he voted to fund a curator of African-American History and Special Projects at the Fredericksburg Area Museum.
Duffy has worked to ensure Fredericksburg is affordable to all residents. This year, he voted in favor of rezoning the historic district to increase residential density. This vote allows for more housing units downtown, hopefully decreasing housing prices. He also voted in favor of a tax incentive for a local co-op grocery store. The store, which would be based in Lee Plaza, would give Fredericksburg residents a more affordable and community-based option to buy their groceries.
As an educator and principal himself, Duffy is passionate about ensuring every student in Fredericksburg has access to high-quality education. To address the overcrowding in Fredericksburg public schools, Duffy supported fast-tracking the building of a new middle school. By speeding up the process, the board will not only ensure students have access to less crowded classrooms sooner, but also help prevent other maintenance issues and repairs from being put off at other district buildings.
Duffy is running against Rene Alfonzo Rodriguez, who currently serves as the chair of the Fredericksburg Planning Commission and the Fredericksburg Electoral Board. He opposes building a new school in the city at this time. He supports increased investment into infrastructure like roads and local amenities. He would like to improve communication between the city council, city staff, and the community.
Due to his support for the environment, equity, affordable housing, and education, Duffy is the most progressive choice in this race.
Incumbent Tim Duffy is running for re-election to city council in Fredericksburg. Duffy is currently the principal at James Monroe High School and has served on city council since 2014. He first came to Fredericksburg to attend Mary Washington College and earned his doctorate from University of Virginia before becoming a professor at Mary Washington College. He later worked at Fredericksburg Public Schools, holding multiple positions before becoming principal at James Monroe. He and his wife raised their two children in Fredericksburg.
Duffy has supported environmental protections in Fredericksburg. This year, he supported a 5-cent tax on plastic bags to help reduce plastic use in the city. He voted against an application from Royal Farms to build a convenience store and gas station in Fredericksburg, citing the environmental concerns surrounding the business being based on fossil fuel and the large parking lot. Duffy also voted in favor of a resolution committing the city to running city operations with 100 percent renewable energy by 2035 and powering the entire city with 100 percent renewable energy sources by 2050.
Duffy has supported efforts to improve racial equity in Fredericksburg. Speaking out after Black Lives Matter protestors were mistreated by city police, he emphasized his desire to see the complete elimination of white privilege. He and the council planned multiple community-wide discussions for strategic planning on improving racial equity in the city. Duffy also voted in favor of a resolution that urged the General Assembly to rename Jefferson Davis Highway, and the road has since been renamed “Emancipation Highway.” Additionally, he voted to fund a curator of African-American History and Special Projects at the Fredericksburg Area Museum.
Duffy has worked to ensure Fredericksburg is affordable to all residents. This year, he voted in favor of rezoning the historic district to increase residential density. This vote allows for more housing units downtown, hopefully decreasing housing prices. He also voted in favor of a tax incentive for a local co-op grocery store. The store, which would be based in Lee Plaza, would give Fredericksburg residents a more affordable and community-based option to buy their groceries.
As an educator and principal himself, Duffy is passionate about ensuring every student in Fredericksburg has access to high-quality education. To address the overcrowding in Fredericksburg public schools, Duffy supported fast-tracking the building of a new middle school. By speeding up the process, the board will not only ensure students have access to less crowded classrooms sooner, but also help prevent other maintenance issues and repairs from being put off at other district buildings.
Duffy is running against Rene Alfonzo Rodriguez, who currently serves as the chair of the Fredericksburg Planning Commission and the Fredericksburg Electoral Board. He opposes building a new school in the city at this time. He supports increased investment into infrastructure like roads and local amenities. He would like to improve communication between the city council, city staff, and the community.
Due to his support for the environment, equity, affordable housing, and education, Duffy is the most progressive choice in this race.
This election will be held on November 2, 2021, and shares a ballot with statewide offices of governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general. Incumbent Delegate Lashrecse Aird (D) is facing a challenge from small business owner Kim Taylor (R). Del. Aird has held the seat since 2016.