Independent County Board candidate Audrey Clement is throwing her weight behind the challenger in the June 20 Democratic primary for commonwealth’s attorney in Arlington and Falls Church.
And she is encouraging her supporters to do the same, suggesting that incumbent Parisa Dehghani-Tafti is not up to the job.
“The commonwealth’s attorney’s office is in freefall,” Clement said in an e-mail to supporters. “Because the office is being run into the ground, efforts to improve the system are stalled, justice for victims is not being done, and it’s impossible to meaningfully address rising crime.”
Voters should turn to challenger Josh Katcher, who “has the experience to both lead the office and lead by example.”
Clement has been running for local office, mostly County Board seats, for more than a decade. While some will deride her as the Harold Stassen of the Arlington political scene – look that reference up if you need to – she has at times won close to 30 percent and on one occasion more than 30 percent in general-election races, so she has her supporters.
Because Virginia does not register voters by political affiliation, any registered voter is eligible to cast a ballot in the June 20 race.
The Arlington County Republican Committee chairman has cautioned members of his committee from doing so, but anecdotal evidence suggests some may be taking part in an effort to dislodge Dehghani-Tafti, who has held the post for four years.
