Gainesville Special Election Archives

George Stewart sworn in as Gainesville District Supervisor, pledges to serve community with integrity

Published November 15, 2025 at 10:48PM

Photo: Jacqueline Smith, Clerk of Circuit Court, Prince William County

George Stewart was sworn in as the new Gainesville District Supervisor during a ceremony on Friday, November 14, following the unexpected passing of Supervisor Bob Weir in July.

The event, held in Prince William County, drew several local and state officials, including Supervisors Tom Gordy, Kenny Bode, and Margaret Franklin, as well as State Senator Danica Roem (D). Clerk of the Court Jacqueline Smith administered the oath after Keith Scarborough, Chair of the Electoral Board, presented Stewart with his certificate of election.

Breaking News

Stewart Wins Tight Gainesville Supervisor Race; Democrats Flip Prince William Board Seat

By Uriah Kiser

Published November 4, 2025 at 8:49PM

In one of Prince William County’s most closely watched races, Democrat George T. Stewart narrowly defeated Republican Patrick R. Harders to win the Gainesville District seat on the Prince William Board of County Supervisors.

According to unofficial results from the Virginia Department of Elections, Stewart received 50.47% of the vote (12,579 votes) to Harders’ 48.77% (12,156 votes). Write-in candidates accounted for 0.75% (188 votes).

Prince William

Gainesville Debate: Candidates United in Opposing New Data Centers, Call for Rural Preservation

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 11, 2025 at 10:00AM | Updated October 11, 2025 at 8:37PM

Two candidates vying to represent Gainesville on the Prince William Board of County Supervisors agreed Friday night that the county must stop approving new data centers and refocus on preserving the rural character that defines western Prince William.

This article is exclusively for our Locals Only members. Please Sign In or upgrade to become a Locals Only Member today!

Your support helps us continue delivering more in-depth community news that matters to you. Thank you.

Prince William

Gainesville supervisor candidates to face off in public forum October 10

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 8, 2025 at 8:00AM

Candidates for the Gainesville seat on the Prince William Board of County Supervisors will face off in a public forum on Friday, October 10, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Gainesville High School.

Republican Patrick Harders and Democrat George Stewart will take questions at the event, hosted by the Prince William Committee of 100 and the League of Women Voters of Prince William-Fauquier Area. Bruce Potter, publisher of InsideNoVa, will moderate. The forum comes amid growing voter interest in issues such as the Bi-County Parkway, data center development, and a controversial proposal to eliminate the 10-acre minimum lot size in parts of western Prince William.

Politics

10-acre rule divides Gainesville candidates in Prince William land-use debate

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 3, 2025 at 2:00PM

Prince William County’s long-running fight over the Rural Crescent has become a defining issue in the Gainesville supervisor race, where candidates George Stewart and Patrick Harders are offering starkly different visions for the county’s future.

This article is exclusively for our Locals Only members. Please Sign In or upgrade to become a Locals Only Member today!

Your support helps us continue delivering more in-depth community news that matters to you. Thank you.

Politics

Stewart walks back Bi-County Parkway comments after backlash

By Uriah Kiser

Published September 26, 2025 at 2:00PM

Stewart

GAINESVILLE, Va. – Less than a day after saying he was open to revisiting a connector tied to the Bi-County Parkway, Gainesville District Supervisor candidate George Stewart is clarifying his position.

In a press release on Friday, Stewart said he would oppose any parkway project that lacks community support. “After the article was published, I heard from residents and elected officials alike who oppose the Bi-County Parkway project… because they’re concerned that it would become a truck route from Dulles Airport to I-95,” Stewart wrote. He noted the route would pass near neighborhoods and four schools, concerns that gave the earlier plan the nickname “Outer Beltway.”

Prince William

Harders and Stewart Both Oppose Data Centers—Here’s What Sets Them Apart

By Uriah Kiser

Published September 4, 2025 at 9:00AM

Voters in Prince William County’s Gainesville District will choose a new supervisor this fall, filling the seat left vacant after the death of Bob Weir in July.

This article is exclusively for our Locals Only members. Please Sign In or upgrade to become a Locals Only Member today!

Your support helps us continue delivering more in-depth community news that matters to you. Thank you.

Prince William

George Stewart Talks Data Centers, Taxes, and Schools in Gainesville Race

By Uriah Kiser

Published September 2, 2025 at 9:32AM

Stewart

GAINESVILLE, Va. – George Stewart, the Democratic nominee for Gainesville District Supervisor in Prince William County, sat down with Potomac Local News Publisher Uriah Kiser for the latest episode of the Potomac Local News Podcast.

Stewart, a Navy veteran and Dominion Valley resident, discussed the ongoing debate over data centers, including the controversial Prince William Digital Gateway project, property taxes, the county’s school revenue-sharing agreement, and the need to grow the commercial tax base.

Podcast

Patrick Harders Talks Data Centers, Sudley Corridor, and the November Election

By Uriah Kiser

Published August 21, 2025 at 9:00AM | Updated August 22, 2025 at 8:55AM

Harders

GAINESVILLE, Va. – Patrick Harders says he’s ready to carry on the legacy of the late Gainesville District Supervisor Bob Weir as he campaigns for the seat in this fall’s special election.

Harders, a Republican and longtime Manassas resident, won his party’s nomination on August 16. The Prince William County Republican Committee announced Harders’ win that evening, saying he earned 1,838 votes to Brian Landrum’s 840. He will face Democrat George Stewart in the November 4 election to fill the seat left vacant after Weir’s death in July.

Breaking News

Patrick Harders Wins GOP Primary for Gainesville Supervisor Seat

By Uriah Kiser

Published August 16, 2025 at 7:21PM

Harders/Landrum

GAINESVILLE, Va. – Patrick Harders just clinched the Republican nomination to run for Gainesville District Supervisor this November, winning today’s firehouse primary with more than twice the votes of his opponent, Brian Landrum.

The Prince William County Republican Committee announced Harders’ win this evening, saying he earned 1,838 votes to Landrum’s 840. The seat opened unexpectedly following the death of Supervisor Bob Weir last month.