Mateo Dunne: Endorsed by Leading Fairfax County Officials

ENDORSEMENTS & STATEMENTS

Karen Corbett Sanders

School Board Member (Mt Vernon)

Fmr. Chair, School Board

ENDORSEMENT

"After representing Mount Vernon on the School Board for 7 years, I know effective school board members must be able to listen to and work with many different perspectives while putting students first. I have seen Mateo Dunne do this again and again for a decade. When draconian budget cuts would have eliminated language and performing arts
programs, he worked with others, built a coalition of voices, and advocated effectively and preserved these beloved programs. Understanding that Fairfax County must rely on property taxes to fund schools, he advocated for diversifying revenues to give local governments more flexibility. He also served on the school bond committee to ensure continued investments in facilities. Concerned about overcrowding, he led the committee of community members, parents, and students on school improvements. He has demonstrated his unwavering commitment to a high quality education for Mount Vernon
District students by actively participating in the PTAs, on the fields as a coach, and before legislators and boards as an advocate. He has
continued to meet with educators, parents, and students representing multiple perspectives. He has continually demonstrated his commitment to our students and ensuring they receive a world-class education."

Dan Storck

Supervisor (Mt Vernon)

Fmr. School Board Member (Mt Vernon)

Fmr. Chair, School Board

STATEMENT

"Mateo Dunne has been a wonderful advocate for public education for the decade that I have known him. We first worked together on school issues when I served as the Mount Vernon District representative on the School Board, and that relationship continues today. I have personally witnessed his passion and tireless work to strengthen our public schools and know that he is prepared and ready to devote his time and energy to effectively advocate for our children, educators and entire community so every child receives a world-class education. I’ve seen Mateo not only speak about what needs to be done, he’s gotten it done."

Kris Amundson

Fmr. School Board Member (Mt Vernon)

Fmr. Chair, School Board

Fmr. Delegate (44th District)

ENDORSEMENT

"Having represented Mount Vernon and served as Chair of the Fairfax County School Board, I am excited to endorse Mateo Dunne to serve as the next Mount Vernon District Representative on the School Board. His extensive experience in government, as well as being a father of 3 kids in FCPS, will provide him with a valuable perspective on matters that impact our public schools. I am confident that he will work closely with parents, students, and teachers to strengthen our public schools."

Gerry Hyland
Fmr. Supervisor (Mt. Vernon)

ENDORSEMENT

"While on the Board, I saw firsthand Mateo Dunne advocate effectively for our public schools. I am happy to join my colleagues endorsing Mateo Dunne to become the next Mount Vernon District representative on the School Board. He has consistently advocated for full funding for our public schools and to ensure a world-class education for all children."

Megan McLaughlin
School Board Member (Braddock)

ENDORSEMENT

“I am pleased to endorse Mateo Dunne to represent the Mount Vernon District on the School Board. Having served on this Board for 11 years, I know how important it is to have the depth of knowledge and breadth of experience in our public schools in order to be an effective School Board Member. Mateo has this essential knowledge and experience, which will equip him to be effective from Day One. As an effective and experienced public education champion, he has built coalitions that deliver results for our schools and our community. I am confident that he will do the same as an elected official.”

Scott Surovell
State Senator (36th District)
Fmr. Delegate (44th District)

ENDORSEMENT

"I join with Mt. Vernon District School Board Member Karen Corbett Sanders in endorsing Mateo Dunne to serve as the Democratic endorsed candidate for the Mt. Vernon District seat on the Fairfax County School Board. Mateo is prepared. Mateo is an attorney and litigator and has been involved in our community. Mateo has made clear that he intends to fight for progress in FCPS by increasing teachers salaries, implementing universal preschool education on U.S. 1, and fighting all efforts to divert public resources to private education. My conclusion is that Mateo Dunne has been there to fight for Mt. Vernon's teachers and students in the past and he is the strongest candidate with the track record that demonstrates he will be there for us in the future."

Mark Sickles
Delegate (43rd District)

ENDORSEMENT

"Mateo Dunne is an education champion who has fought for our children and public schools time and again. He helped save high school sports and language immersion from elimination. He helped secure funding to eliminate trailers at West Potomac High School. As a litigator, Mateo has the backbone and experience to stand up for our children, families, and educators."

Jeff McKay
Chairman, Board of Supervisors

ENDORSEMENT

"Mateo Dunne has impressed me with his passionate advocacy for students, families, and educators. I know Mateo will be on the frontlines to defend our students and schools, and he will work tirelessly to provide all children with a world-class education."

Sharon Bulova
Fmr. Chairman, Board of Supervisors

ENDORSEMENT

"I am glad to endorse Mateo Dunne to serve as the next Mount Vernon District Representative on the Fairfax County School Board. During my time on the Board of Supervisors, Mateo was a strong, effective advocate and partner for the education of our youth. Mateo's common sense, judgment, and vision will help strengthen Fairfax County's greatest asset, our outstanding Public School System."

Stella Pekarsky
School Board Member (Sully)

Fmr. Chair, School Board

ENDORSEMENT

"I enthusiastically endorse Mateo Dunne to serve as Mount Vernon District Representative on the Fairfax County School Board. I worked together with Mateo to strengthen our public schools. Mateo is a team player and effective advocate. I know that he would work nonstop to ensure every child receives a world-class education."

Kimberly Adams

Fmr.President, Fairfax Education Assn.
School Librarian

ENDORSEMENT

"As a mother, librarian, and union leader I have worked with Mateo to secure funding for school programs and compensation over the years. He is dedicated and hard-working. I trust that he will do everything he can to reflect the values of public school advocates in his actions on the school board. We need a person who has the drive to get things done and I think Mateo is just right for Mount Vernon and our school board team."

Fairfax Education Association

ENDORSEMENT

Jane Miscavage
Fmr. Pres., Fairfax County Council PTA

ENDORSEMENT

"I enthusiastically endorse my fellow education champion and friend Mateo Dunne for Mt. Vernon Representative on the Fairfax County School Board. Our work together dates back to 2015, when Matt was a recognized education advocate and I was a local PTA president. Since then, we collaborated on efforts to achieve the first fully funded FCPS budget in a decade. We worked to establish stable, consistent school funding. Through our PTA work, Mateo led a county-wide effort to share parent voices and views with FCPS leadership. Mateo's tireless hours of work, as a volunteer, has produced a legacy of dedication, common sense and effectiveness. His track record speaks for itself. Students, families and educators in Mt. Vernon couldn't ask for a better representative on the school board."

Kathy Lehner
Fmr. Pres., Stratford Landing Assn.
Fmr. FCPS Teacher

ENDORSEMENT

"I am happy to endorse Mateo Dunne to serve as Mount Vernon District representative on the School Board. I worked closely with Matt when I served as President of the Stratford Landing Citizens Association. Mateo has a strong work ethic, sound judgment, and an incredible dedication to the community. I know Mateo will be an effective advocate for children, parents, and teachers on the School Board."

Shaista Keating
Strategy Consultant / Thought Leader
Fmr. President, TJHSST PTSA

ENDORSEMENT

"Mateo Dunne is a tireless champion for public education. I have worked closely with Mateo on advocacy for students, parents, and teachers in Fairfax County. Mateo would be an excellent School Board member. I wholeheartedly endorse Matt and am confident that he will serve our county with integrity."

Bill Barfield
Fmr. Pres., Fairfax Federation

ENDORSEMENT

"I am glad to endorse Matt Dunne to serve as Mount Vernon District representative on the School Board. I worked closely with Matt for several years to maintain the high quality of life for which Fairfax County is well known. He is a passionate advocate for the community and brings creative thinking with an energetic work ethic. Our Fairfax schools will benefit if Mateo is elected to represent Mount Vernon."

Debbie Kilpatrick

Community Advocate

ENDORSEMENT

"I am happy to endorse Mateo Dunne to represent the Mount Vernon District on the School Board. I have known him for many years through his service as an education advocate and PTA leader. Mateo is a champion for public education and educators. He is known in the FCPS community as someone who builds coalitions and gets things done. For example, he co-led the 'Friends of FCPS' coalition to save high school sports, language immersion, and elementary music education from elimination. He also led the Design & Construction Committee for West Potomac High School's renovation, which resolved overcrowding while enhancing security. Mateo has the experience, knowledge, and judgment to be effective from Day One and ensure FCPS continues to deliver on the promise of public education."

Cathy Hosek

Education Advocate

ENDORSEMENT

"I care deeply about our students and our public schools. People who know me know that I fight for our public schools every day. We need someone on the School Board with the experience and vision to address the myriad challenges facing our public schools today. To continue the work that I do, I need someone on the School Board who has experience. There is absolutely no room for learning on the job. Mateo has been an ally and advocate for our public schools for the past decade. He has been there, fighting in the trenches for full funding, increased pay for teachers, and increased funding for renovating our schools. He has delivered before, and he will deliver again for our students and schools. Mateo is ready to lead on Day One, and that is why I am endorsing him to serve on the School Board."