Fairfax City Council — Re-Election 2026
Tom Peterson
for Fairfax
Independent Leadership. Proven Results. Working for a financially secure, safe, sustainable, and community-focused Fairfax.
Fairfax City Council — Re-Election 2026
Independent Leadership. Proven Results. Working for a financially secure, safe, sustainable, and community-focused Fairfax.
Track Record
Restructured the project, reducing the projected tax impact from approximately 9.7¢ to 4.33¢ per $100 of assessed value — saving homeowners hundreds annually.
Led the decision to protect nearly 100 acres of forest and open space, preserving green infrastructure for future generations of Fairfax families.
Advanced the C-PACE program, clean energy initiatives, and resilience measures — making Fairfax a leader in regional environmental stewardship.
Delivered transparent, accountable budgeting — protecting taxpayer dollars while funding the services that matter most to our community.
Supported increased police staffing and critical public safety investments to keep Fairfax neighborhoods secure.
Advocated for and supported Beacon Landing operations funding and the Pathway Homes behavioral health housing expansion.
About Tom
Tom Peterson has served on the Fairfax City Council since 2024, bringing 44 years of professional experience and a BS in Biology from William & Mary, an MS in Environmental Management from Duke, and an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin.
He is a former White House Senior Advisor (Council of Economic Advisors & Council on Environmental Quality), the founder and CEO of the Center for Climate Strategies, and an adjunct professor at Johns Hopkins University and George Mason University.
As a Council Member, Tom has championed numerous environmental initiatives — protecting green spaces, advancing clean energy, and ensuring Fairfax remains a sustainable community for generations to come. He is committed to community driven practical solutions and measurable results.
Tom's Priorities
Making sure your tax dollars are spent wisely — on the services that matter, with transparency at every step. Tom helped enable the Willard & Sherwood restructuring that cut projected tax impact by more than half, protecting homeowners from excessive burdens while providing for an important new health and community center.
As a Council Member, Tom has championed numerous environmental initiatives — protecting green spaces, advancing clean energy, and ensuring Fairfax remains a sustainable community for generations to come.
Supporting the police staffing and resources our community needs to stay safe. Tom has advocated for responsible public safety investments that protect our neighborhoods. He also voted to prohibit guns in city events and led efforts to improve crime safety analysis and to create a new behavioral threat management program.
Responsible development that preserves our neighborhoods while allowing Fairfax to grow in a way that works for everyone — new families, longtime residents, and businesses alike.
Protecting the quality of Fairfax's public schools and ensuring our community is a great place to raise a family. Tom knows that strong schools are the foundation of a thriving city and supports their full funding. He also connects faculty and students of George Mason University with the community through academic and professional courses.
Being present — at town halls, neighborhood events, and everywhere in between. Tom believes good government starts with listening, and he's committed to staying connected to the residents he serves.
Latest Updates
May 2026
Tom Peterson Advocates for Pickett Road Safety Study
Tom worked with community members in the Pickett Road corridor and city staff to secure $80,000 for a transportation study to address vehicle crashes and traffic concerns.
April 2026
Willard & Sherwood Project Restructuring Delivers Major Taxpayer Relief
Tom works with Council members and city staff to cut the tax impact from 9.7¢ to 4.33¢ per $100 assessed value — a major win for Fairfax homeowners.
December 2025
Willard & Sherwood Project Restructuring Delivers Major Taxpayer Relief
Tom's leadership on Council reduces projected tax impact from 9.7¢ to 4.33¢ per $100 assessed value — a major win for Fairfax homeowners.
November 2025
City Council Approves George Snyder Trail, Protecting 100 Acres of Forest
Under Tom's environmental leadership, the Council protects nearly 100 acres of forest and open space for future generations.
2023–2024
Environmental Initiatives Advance Clean Energy & Resilience Measures
Tom helps lead adoption of the C-PACE program and other clean energy measures that position Fairfax as a regional environmental leader.
The Team
Tom is proud to be part of a three-candidate slate with Stacy and Rachel — a team with complementary experience and a shared vision for Fairfax's future.
Together, they bring decades of community service, local business experience, and a deep commitment to making Fairfax work for every resident.
Learn About the Full Team
Every contribution — $10, $25, $100 — helps us reach more voters and spread the word about Tom's vision for our city.
Donate NowClosing Statement
Fairfax is a special community with a unique character, strong neighborhoods, excellent schools, and engaged citizens. My focus has been on protecting those strengths while helping the City respond responsibly to rising costs, development pressures, infrastructure needs, public safety challenges, and long-term sustainability issues.
As your Council Member, I have worked to bring informed, independent, community-focused leadership to City government — focused not on politics, but on practical solutions and measurable results.
Together, we can continue building a Fairfax that remains financially strong, environmentally responsible, safe, welcoming, and true to the values that make our City unique.