STATEMENT CALLING ON MATT KELLY TO RESIGN HIS CANDIDACY.
Since launching my City Council campaign, I have been clear and consistent: I am an Independent and I have actively rejected political party endorsements to maintain election integrity.
I made this choice for two reasons. First, as a federal employee, I am legally prohibited from participating in partisan elections. An election is considered partisan when either candidate seeks or accepts a political party’s endorsement. This is not a loophole or technicality, this rule could cost me my job. Second, and more importantly, I believe Fredericksburg’s local elections should stay focused on local issues, grounded in constructive, respectful dialogue that reflects our shared values.
Unfortunately, my opponent, Matt Kelly, has turned this race into a partisan contest for his own advantage. In both a Facebook blog post (1) and a radio interview (2), Mr. Kelly openly urged the Fredericksburg Republican Committee to endorse in our nonpartisan City Council race, explicitly stating that his goal was to disqualify me from the ballot. He knew that an endorsment would force my withdrawal and guarantee his election. Just days later, the Republican Committee announced its endorsement of Mr. Kelly. This comes after decades of his support for non-partisan races.
This was not politics as usual. It was a deliberate act designed to sabotage the democratic process in Ward 3, forcing me into an impossible choice: either forfeit my family-supporting career or withdraw my candidacy and commitment to serve. This action strips voters of a fair election and leaves only one candidate — Mr. Kelly — on the ballot.
Campaigning for elected office is an earning of public trust, and intentionally disqualifying an opponent is a breaking of that trust that should not be rewarded. Ward 3 deserves a fair choice, an honest contest of ideas, and a leader who puts the integrity of our democracy above personal gain.
Matt Kelly has refused to follow my lead and has solicited partisan endorsements in order to disqualify my candidacy. By putting politics over people, he’s shown he cannot keep this race focused on our community.
For this reason, I am calling on him to withdraw immediately.
Susanna Finn
Fredericksburg City Councilor, Ward 3
1 – https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19ZX9ytzTe/?mibextid=wwXIfr
2 – https://www.newstalk1230.net/episode/listen-town-talk-inform-2/
