Statement from Mayor Jim Ross: Announcement for Re-Election

Serving as the Mayor of Arlington has been one of the greatest honors of my life. Over the past two terms, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside an incredible community of residents, businesses, and civic leaders who share a deep love for this city and a common belief in its future. Together, we have made tremendous progress—and yet, there is still more to do.

That’s why today, I’m announcing my candidacy for re-election as Mayor of Arlington for a third and final term this coming May.

When I first took office, I made a commitment to strengthen our economy, improve public safety, invest in our infrastructure, and bring our community together. I’m proud to say we delivered on that promise. Over the last several years, Arlington has attracted 13 new corporate headquarters, created more than 27,000 new jobs, and seen wages rise by nearly 20% for the average working resident.

We’ve also made significant strides in public safety—overall crime is down 12%, violent crime is down 17%, and vehicle thefts are down 43%. I’ve been honored to have the continued support of our police officers and firefighters, whose courage and dedication keep our community safe every day.

We have also seen tremendous improvements in our infrastructure and quality of life. We revitalized parks, improved roadways, and created new public spaces that make Arlington an even better place to live, work, and raise a family.

For the first time in the city’s history, we brought all parts of our education community together through the Mayor’s Education Coalition—public schools, private schools, charter schools, and home-school families—united in common purpose. Together, they are working on initiatives to improve student safety, boost reading literacy, and open new doors of opportunity for every Arlington child.

These accomplishments are not mine alone—they belong to us all. They reflect the strength, compassion, and determination of a city that refuses to settle for “good enough.”

As I seek a third and final term, I do so with deep gratitude for the trust you’ve placed in me and a renewed commitment to keep Arlington moving forward. Together, we can continue building a city that reflects the very best of who we are—united, thriving, and full of promise for the generations to come.

I ask for your continued support and your vote in May.

Thank you, Arlington. Let’s keep moving forward—together.