News release:

Arlington Republicans elect
Kenderian as new Chairman

Local GOP activist Elise Kenderian was unanimously elected Chairman of the Arlington County Republican Committee on Thursday night, March 28, as the party unveiled its ticket for the 2002 elections.

"We're united, we've got great candidates this year, and we're ready to roll,", said Kenderian, the former president of the local Young Republicans and Co-chairman of the County GOP from 2000-02 under outgoing Chairman Mike Lane.

A native of New Jersey, Kenderian has been active in Arlington political activities since 1997. She serves as legislative director for Cong. Jim Saxton (R-NJ), and resides in Shirlington.

In accepting the position of Chairman, Kenderian laid out goals of bolstering precinct operations, fund-raising and voter outreach for the county GOP. She also announced that Frank Sietzen, who had stepped aside as a candidate for Chairman, would serve as Co-chairman of the County Committee.

Also speaking at the Republican meeting were:

• Beth Wolffe, candidate for Arlington County School Board;

• Mike Clancy, running for the Arlington County Board;

• Scott Tate, running for Congress in the 8th District; and

• Geoff Schwartzman, field director for Sen. John Warner's re-election campaign.

Clancy, Tate and Warner are all unopposed for the GOP nominations this year, which will be formally made on May 10 (for County Board), May 11 (for Congress) and June 11 (for Senate).

The committee also adopted resolutions calling on the County Board to reduce the property tax by 7 cents, to partially offset the impact of rising assessments; and to commend state Attorney General Jerry Kilgore on his prompt appeal of a recent court decision that would upset legislative redistricting across the state.

Lane, who led the local party from 2000-02 after serving on the County Board in 1999, is seeking election as Chairman of the 8th District Republican Committee at its upcoming convention on May 11. Committee members gave Lane a rousing ovation for his tireless work on behalf of the Arlington GOP over the past five years.

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