School Board Race Pits Veteran Against First-Time Candidate
TL;DR: Chesterfield voters will choose between a former Fairfax school board member and a first-time candidate for the Clover Hill District seat in a November 3 special election.
Quick facts
- Who: Elizabeth Schultz (former Fairfax County School Board member, 2012-2019) and Christina Brady (first-time candidate, mother of four)
- What: Special election for Clover Hill District school board seat
- When: November 3, 2026; early voting September 18 - October 31
- Where: Clover Hill District, Chesterfield County (Brandermill and Woodlake neighborhoods)
The story
Chesterfield County voters will choose between two candidates for the Clover Hill District school board seat in a special election on November 3, 2026. Elizabeth Schultz, who served on the Fairfax County School Board from 2012 to 2019, is running against Christina Brady, a mother of four daughters and first-time candidate who moved to Chesterfield County in 2021.
The special election was triggered by the resignation of former board member Dorothy "Dot" Heffron, who stepped down following backlash over a social media post made after conservative activist Charlie Kirk's death. The winner will serve the remainder of Heffron's term through December 31, 2027, representing the Brandermill and Woodlake neighborhoods.
Schultz, whose youngest son recently graduated from Clover Hill High School, holds a bachelor of science in political science and history from James Madison University. She worked as a senior manager of contracts and negotiation in the federal, nonprofit, and private sectors, including roles with the FBI, DEA, and U.S. Secret Service. Her Fairfax County service drew significant media attention for her positions on conservative education issues.
Brady moved to Chesterfield in 2021 and watched her children navigate a COVID-era school system while observing parents' struggles during that period. One of her stated priorities is reducing screen time for elementary students and examining how much screen time is used in middle and high school to allow more opportunities for in-person interaction.
Early voting runs from September 18 through October 31 at Central Library, 7051 Lucy Corr Boulevard.
Key players
- Elizabeth Schultz: Candidate; former Fairfax County School Board member (Springfield District, 2012-2019)
- Christina Brady: Candidate; first-time candidate, Chesterfield resident since 2021
- Dorothy (Dot) Heffron: Former Clover Hill District school board member whose resignation triggered the special election
Key dates
- 2026-09-18: Early voting begins for Clover Hill District school board special election
- 2026-10-31: Early voting ends
- 2026-11-03: Election Day for Clover Hill District school board special election
The case for
Schultz brings experience from seven years of school board service and familiarity with Virginia education policy and budget processes, potentially offering institutional knowledge to navigate district decisions.
The case against
Brady's perspective as a recent parent navigating the current Chesterfield system and her focus on fresh priorities like classroom technology use may represent a clearer break from incumbent-focused approaches.
Why it matters: The Clover Hill seat represents one of Chesterfield's five school board districts and influences decisions affecting thousands of students. The outcome will shape education policy priorities through the end of 2027.
Places
Development timeline
- 2025Dorothy Heffron resigns from Clover Hill District school board: Former board member stepped down following backlash over social media post made after conservative activist Charlie Kirk's death [source]
- 2026-08-31Elizabeth Schultz announces candidacy for Clover Hill District school board: Former Fairfax County School Board member enters Chesterfield County race [source]
- 2026-09-17Early voting opens for school board special election: Voters can cast ballots for the Clover Hill District seat as race between Schultz and Brady begins [source]
- 2026-11-03Clover Hill District school board special election held: Voters will choose between Elizabeth Schultz and Christina Brady to fill the remainder of Dot Heffron's term [source]
Related links
- Chesterfield County Voting Information
- Chesterfield County School Board
- Chesterfield County Early Voting Locations
Read the original at Google News: Chesterfield School Board →
Sources
- Chesterfield's lone school board race pits a political veteran against a newcomer
- Chesterfield School Board eyes 2026 special election to fill vacancy
- Elizabeth Schultz announces run for school board, Clover Hill district
- Chesterfield Early Voting Begins Sept. 18 for the Nov. 3 Election
- Chesterfield County Voting and Registering to Vote