FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 8, 2024
Contact: Austin Locke, info@tenleypeterson.com
Organizations Cite Peterson’s Strong Record of Advocating for Policies that Prioritize Sustainability, Housing, and Labor on Planning, Budget Commissions
Arlington, VA—Today, Tenley Peterson announced the endorsements of five regional and local advocacy organizations focused on sustainability, housing, and labor issues. Peterson’s endorsements include the Sierra Club Potomac River Group, Sustainable Mobility for Arlington County (SUSMO), Northern Virginia Association of Realtors® PAC (NV/RPAC), YIMBYs of Northern Virginia (YIMBYs), and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 26 (IBEW Local 26). Tenley Peterson is seeking the Democratic nomination for an open seat on the Arlington County Board in 2024.
Peterson has over a decade on the record of advocating for sustainable policies in Arlington through her work on the Fiscal Affairs Advisory Commission, which she used to Chair, and now as the Vice Chair of Arlington’s Planning Commission. Citing her record, Dean Amel, Chair of the Sierra Club’s Potomac River Group, stated, “From her low-carbon lifestyle to her past work as Director of Dr. Jane Goodall's Roots & Shoots youth program in Singapore, we are strong admirers of Tenley Peterson, and believe she would be an excellent County Board member. She has a superb sustainability record as a Planning Commissioner and Fiscal Affairs Advisory Commissioner and is deeply committed to local and state climate action.”
Sustainable Mobility for Arlington County, an Arlington-based advocacy organization focused on promoting sustainable biking, walking, transit, and land use policies, also emphasized Peterson’s “proven track record” and “deep commitment” to sustainability policies.. SUSMO stated, “Tenley's answers, public statements, and actions as a member of the Planning Commission demonstrate a level of commitment, understanding, and drive that we do not see from the other candidates which earned her our endorsement.” On their Endorsements page, they continued, “On the Planning Commission she asks good questions, seeks strong community benefits for people walking, biking, and taking transit during development review, and pushes for planning documents that support sustainable mobility.”
Peterson was also endorsed by regional advocacy organizations focused on housing affordability, sustainable living, and green development in Arlington County. Northern Virginia Association of Realtors® PAC stated that Peterson “is knowledgeable about Arlington and how the county works, from affordable housing to transportation and development. She’s dedicated to improving the quality of life for Arlington residents.” NV/RPAC continued that Peterson would “well represent [their] interests,” in the “face [of] housing shortages, skyrocketing prices, and transportation challenges [in Arlington County and] across the region.”
Peterson was also endorsed by YIMBYs of Northern Virginia, which highlighted her robust record of “pro-housing advocacy.” Central to her campaign are housing affordability and sustainable transportation. Peterson particularly advocates for planning that includes more family-sized units along Arlington’s transit corridors, a view that is shaped in part by her experience raising her family of five in a two-bedroom condominium in the Courthouse neighborhood. “To tackle Arlington housing affordability,” Peterson said, “we must ensure families can live near transit and in high-rise buildings. Incentivizing family-sized housing over studios is essential to curb overinflation of our housing costs. My family loves living in a high-rise, but our condo was difficult to find. As my three kids get older, it would be nice to add more space or a third bedroom, but those units are scarce in Arlington.”
The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 26 emphasized in their endorsement that Peterson also advocates for proactively including labor in Arlington’s planning process. Don Slaiman, IBEW Local 26’s Political Coordinator, stated, “We proudly endorse Tenley Peterson and are confident in her commitment to championing the rights and well-being of all Arlington workers. From joining her local union as a meter reader in college to her current membership in the AEA union, we've always been able to count on Tenley as a steadfast advocate for labor.” Slaiman continued, “Her strong track record of support for labor issues like fair wages, safe workplaces, and equal opportunities make her uniquely qualified to serve on the Arlington County Board." Peterson said she supports “giving labor a literal seat at the table” by including a labor representative on many of Arlington’s commissions. Peterson was previously endorsed by the Northern Virginia Labor Federation, AFL-CIO.
In response to her broad support from regional and local advocacy organizations, Peterson said, “I am deeply thankful to have the support of organizations whose issues represent Arlington’s most pressing priorities. With the help of these leaders from across Northern Virginia and Arlington County, we will work together to develop policies that continue to move our County forward. Sustainability, housing and labor—these policy areas are interconnected, and our planning approaches must be as well. I am grateful for the time and advocacy each organization puts in to make Arlington a great place to live and work.”
In addition to her commission work, Peterson is also an APS substitute teacher, mom of three, and a communications consultant. She is a progressive Democrat who believes that a public servant’s number one responsibility is putting people first when making policy decisions. If elected, Peterson will bring experience, pragmatism, and kindness to the County Board to find solutions that work for all of Arlington.
For Tenley Peterson’s complete list of endorsements, visit TenleyPeterson.com/Endorsements.
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