Julius D. Spain Sr. is running for County Board again. J.D., as he is known to friends and supporters, filed his papers as a candidate on Feb. 12 and will formally launch his campaign on March 6 at a meeting of the Arlington Democrats. A retired military veteran, 15-year Arlington resident, and community leader, Spain told supporters, “I am committed to addressing the critical issues that affect us all, regardless of socioeconomic status. I believe in building a representative government where every voice matters and where the values of public health and safety, economic security, and environmental sustainability are at the forefront of our policy agenda.” 

Spain, after working a full day at LMI, his day job, had then met with the Head of Executive Education for George Mason University, met with the Board of the Dream Project, of which he is a member, went over to the Leadership Arlington Fundraiser as a co-chairman of the fundraising effort, and met with the NAACP Housing Committee from 8-9 pm before taking an hour to explain why he is running again. Supporters asked him to run, and he wants to, because he doesn’t see the commitment to community, particularly the health and safety of young people, in the current policy-making body. 

Spain has been talking about mental health as an issue for youth in Arlington since 2019. He is the father of three APS alumni. He is still shaking his head over the Forum held on Feb. 7 where stakeholders like the NAACP, VOICE (Virginians Organized for Interfaith Community Engagement), ASHPA (Arlington Schools Hispanic Parents Association) - in large numbers - asked the county to allocate $2 million for "high-quality, stimulating, free, and accessible after-school programs for students at up to five high schools and middle schools in some of Arlington's more underserved communities," in the hope of keeping students away from deadly drugs and substances. What was interesting about the “ask” is that students themselves spoke up and said they want to find something productive to do in the after school hours when young people are often on their own. 

Spain wants better allocation of funds, given that 48.6 percent of the $1.5 billion-plus County budget goes to Arlington Public Schools. 

And that is just one of the reasons Spain is running in the June 18 primary. The last day to register to vote in the primary is Tuesday, May 28, 2024.

For more on Spain’s campaign, see: https://www.jdforarlington.com