Developer campaign contributions have become a central issue in the Democratic primary for Northern Virginia’s 31st state Senate District. Jaime Ariezaga-Soto is calling on his opponent, Barbara Favola, to step down from the Arlington County Board because of campaign contributions Favola received from real estate developers.
Favola received thousands of dollars from developers who supported the creation of a special tax district for Ballston business improvement, a motion supported unanimously by the board in December.
Favola also received $25,000 in March from developer John Shooshan after she joined the board in approving a five-story height increase for his property at Founders Square two months earlier ?– even though she told critics recently that she declines donations from developers with business before the county board.
Shooshan said he donated to Favola because she won his respect after working with her for 14 years on board business and the county’s plan to end homelessness.
“She’s someone who really cares about her constituents and who does the hard work outside the spotlight,” he said. “There’s other people I’ve gotten to know in Arlington County that I’d have the same kind of support for.”
Favola was also the deciding vote in favor of increasing towing fees five days after Advanced Towing donated $2,500 to her campaign, and Areizaga-Soto has made much of that fact.
Favola’s campaign said she has always been transparent about contributions. In previous statements she lashed out at Areizaga-Soto for earning his campaign money as a lawyer working for international developers.
The two sides have created websites claiming to tell the truth about their opponents ?– favolafacts.com and thetruthaboutjaime.com.
