Garvey Resigns From Arlington Co. Democratic Committee

Board member Libby Garvey resigned from the Arlington County Democratic Committee (ACDC) this week.

The committee had been expected to vote during a closed meeting Monday night on whether to expel Garvey. She has been under fire for her support of Independent candidate John Vihstadt, the winner of the April 8 special county board election.

Vihstadt defeated Democratic candidate Alan Howze and two others.

In a newsletter sent to supporters on Saturday Garvey wrote, "I do not dispute that I violated the bylaws by actively supporting John Vihstadt. I asked for the hearing because I want everyone to be very clear that I am still a Democrat and that I do not want to be removed from the committee."

But ACDC Chairman Kip Malinosky told News4 the expected vote became unnecessary when Garvey submitted her resignation.

In the newsletter Garvey also wrote, "Many of you have written or called expressing your support. I cannot tell you how much that means to me. John's election by such a large margin was certainly a validation of my decision to support him."

Garvey supported Vihstadt because they are both opposed to the Columbia PIke streetcar proposal. Garvey is up for re-election in 2016.

ACDC Chairman Malinosky said it's possible for her to rejoin the party's committee in the future if she backs Democratic candidates.

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