Jeanette Rishell Wins Most Votes in City Council Race

Democrat Jeanette Rishell won the most votes of any contender for the three open seats on Manassas Park City Council.

Rishell recieved the most votes at Manassas Park Precinct One, Precinct Two and the most absentee votes, according to the State Board of Elections website.

At precinct two, 1,195 of the 3,721 votes went to Rishell. At precinct one, 1,462 of the 4,278 votes cast went to her. Three hundred and seventy-three of the 1,158 absentee votes went Rishell.

When asked what attributed to her receiving the most votes and winning, Rishell said it could be several reasons.

"A lot goes into a campaign win, so I’m sure there were any number of factors involved," she said Wednesday. "For example, there was a high voter turnout, and I also made extensive voter contacts in the community. I believe that my message resonated with voters who have felt the impacts of high taxes and water bills as they try to make ends meet. We also shared concerns relating to the proper mix of commercial and residential development in the City with the goal of lightening the burden on all residents and businesses, reducing existing debt and avoiding new debt."

Rishell said she saw the absentee vote totals before turning in for the night on Tuesday, but didn't see all the results until Wednesday morning.

Just after midnight on Wednesday,

" ...I would like to extend my genuine and sincere thanks to Bill Treuting for his many years of service to the residents of Manassas Park," Rishell wrote Wednesday in a letter to Patch. "I am overwhelmed with gratitude to the voters of Manassas Park who elected me to the Manassas Park City Council.

Thank you so much to everyone who voted for me, and to everyone who helped my campaign in so many ways. I could not have done this without your support and encouragement.

I give you my commitment that I will do the job to the very best of my ability, and with transparency and inclusiveness."

Balancing residents' concerns while responsibly meeting the needs of the city is, and will continue to be, a huge challenge to the council Rishell said. 

"I look forward to working cooperatively with the other members of council and proactively with the business community to find the best solutions for Manassas Park and its residents," she said.