June 16, 2025.
I’m Audrey Clement, the Independent candidate for Arlington County Board on November 4. As a 21-year Westover resident, long time civic activist, and past member of the Transportation Commission, I’m running for County Board because the County has pushed harmful policies, some of which have resulted in increased crime.
A case in point is the Board’s May 13, 2025 decision to revoke Section 7 of the County Trust Policy on a weekday afternoon, with little notice and no public hearing. Under Section 7 Arlington Police could notify ICE of cases involving undocumented immigrants: wanted or arrested for a felony offense; identified as gang members, or arrested for terrorism or human trafficking.
At the June 14, 2025 County Board meeting, I objected to the revocation of this policy, because it will lead to an increase in crime among undocumented aliens released from jail who lack authorization to work in the U.S.
J.D. Spain denied this likely outcome, pointing to MCOG statistics showing a drop in crime in the region of 13 percent. Spain’s statistic conflicts with Arlington Police Chief Andy Penn’s report of an 11.5 percent increase in crime at the June 10, 2025 Arlington Civic Federation meeting.[1:22:27] Spain also mischaracterized my remarks as divisive rather than an honest assessment of the situation.
Takis Karantonis went even further, saying that the decision to end cooperation with ICE was preceded by months of discussion even though I hadn’t “chimed in but now on this issue.” This is manifestly untrue, as I spoke emphatically against revocation of Section 7 during public comment at the May 10, 2025 Board meeting over which Takis himself presided.
Takis also accused me of insinuating that as a result of non-cooperation with ICE “our immigrant population . . . is somehow to become criminal.” I said no such thing. Rather I argued that legal immigrants are likely to become the principal victims of illegals released from prison who will revert to crime, when they can’t get hired due to lack of work authorization.
As you know, there’s a Democratic Primary on June 17, including nomination for the seat of incumbent County Board member Takis Karantonis.
If you have not already voted, I urge you to evaluate the candidates in light of how they speak about their opponents. To attack an opponent because of their position on the issues or something they actually said or did is fine. To distort, lie or gaslight others about what their opponent has said is another.
Although I won’t be on the June 17 primary ballot, I will be running in the November 4, 2025 General Election. If elected, I pledge to:
- Seek immediate tax relief for residents and businesses.
- Stop Missing Middle up-zoning by lobbying to preserve single family neighborhoods.
- Lobby the federal government to restore the federal workforce.
- Reduce the crime rate by disincentivizing crime.
- Reduce the office vacancy rate by lobbying federal agencies to relocate here.
- Preserve Arlington’s natural and cultural heritage. Stop permitting the destruction of historic structures like the Rouse estate and clearcutting stream banks in county parks.
If you share my agenda, then: