Local businesswoman looking to fill vacancy left by retirement of Gerry Hyland

LORTON, Va. - Feb. 28, 2015 - PRLog -- Lorton, Va. – Candice L. Bennett announced today that she intends to seek the Democratic nomination for Mt. Vernon District Supervisor. The seat is being vacated by the retiring Gerry Hyland, a Democrat who has held the seat since 1988. The Mt. Vernon district includes Lorton, Belvoir, Newington and Gunston.

“I am running for Mt. Vernon District Supervisor because I am passionate about improving our community. Over the past few years, I’ve served in a business and volunteer capacity, and I believe now is the time to take the next step to really make a difference for our district. I look forward to earning the vote of my fellow residents of the Mt. Vernon district.”

A successful small business owner, Bennett has operated a research and consulting firm based in Lorton for more than 10 years that provides high-level strategy to a wide range of clients in a variety of industries, including consumer electronics, financial services, academia, hospitality, industry associations and professional membership organizations. Prior to starting her firm, Bennett was a Director at Penn, Schoen and Berland, a Democratic polling firm in Washington, D.C., where she worked with a wide range of clients, including the Democratic National Committee and Tim Kaine for Lieutenant Governor.

At the same time, Bennett has volunteered in a number of professional and service organizations, including the Junior League of Northern Virginia (JLNV) (most recently as President), Women Presidents’ Educational Organization (WPEO-DC) and Leadership Fairfax. She is also a member of the Women Presidents’ Organization (WPO), American Marketing Association (AMA) and the Marketing Research Association (MRA). She supports one of the Washington Metro area’s most revered cultural institutions, the Smithsonian Institution, by serving on the National Committee for the National Council of the National Museum of American History and as a member of the Friends of the National Zoo and the James Smithson Society.

“As I’ve lived in the district, I’ve become familiar with many of the key issues facing our community. As supervisor, my priorities would include education; affordable housing, especially for seniors; ensuring that the Lorton landfill fulfills its promise to open a 250-acre park; economic development and jobs; and transportation. All of these issues are critical to ensuring that the Mt. Vernon District and Fairfax County as a whole continue to thrive.”

A daughter of educators, Bennett has lived in Lorton for the last seven years with her husband, an Iraqi War veteran. Prior to moving to Lorton in 2008, she lived in Kingstowne and Huntington. She earned a bachelor’s degree in international affairs summa cum laude and a master’s degree in security policy studies, both from The George Washington University. She recently graduated from the Sorensen Campaign Training Program and had previously completed trainings with Leadership Fairfax and the Tuck Executive Education program at Dartmouth.

To learn more, visit www.ElectCandiceBennett.com.

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