Republican Jeannie LaCroix won Tuesday’s special election for the Woodbridge District seat on the Prince William County Board of County Supervisors, defeating Democratic nominee Muhammad Sufiyan “Sef” Casim in a closely watched race. LaCroix earned 1,694 votes (43.7%), while Casim received 1,436 votes (37.1%). Write-in candidates accounted for 744 votes (19.2%), though it is unclear how many went to Democrat Pamela Montgomery, who launched a last-minute write-in campaign. The result represents a shift in a district long held by Democrats.
The campaign’s final weeks were overshadowed by controversy over Casim’s past social media posts, which critics deemed offensive. While he apologized, several state and local Democrats called on him to withdraw, creating a visible rift within the party. The Prince William County Democratic Committee defended him, asserting his apology addressed the concerns.
Montgomery, a former chief of staff to Delegate Margaret Franklin, ran as a write-in after losing a February Democratic caucus to Casim by 33 votes. She alleged voting irregularities, including ineligible participants and 31 disqualified ballots.
Casim’s residency also drew scrutiny. After losing a House District 23 primary in December 2025, he relocated to Woodbridge to run for the open supervisor seat, prompting claims of “carpetbagging,” though Virginia law allows candidates to establish district residency by Election Day.
Tensions grew when the county Democratic Committee suggested Montgomery’s write-in campaign was coordinating with Republicans. Her team denied the claim, explaining that a GOP volunteer had simply helped a neighbor set up campaign signs.
The election highlighted divisions within the local Democratic Party and underscored the challenges Casim faced amid scrutiny over both past actions and campaign strategy.
