Jay Fisette

Fisette received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Bucknell University in 1978.{{cite news|url=http://countyboard.arlingtonva.us/county-board-members/jay-fisette/|title=Jay Fisette - Vice-Chair, Arlington County Board|work=County Board: Members|publisher=Arlingtonva.us|accessdate=January 11, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160110151454/http://countyboard.arlingtonva.us/county-board-members/jay-fisette/|archive-date=January 10, 2016|url-status=live}} Fisette said he chose that field of study because he "learned that government was a force for good, and public service was a noble profession." Following his graduation, he spent 18 months in San Francisco, a time where he accepted his identity as a gay man. According to Fisette, "It was here, in the recent aftermath of Harvey Milk's death that I started to recognize the importance of having openly gay men and lesbians in elected office." He then attended the University of Pittsburgh where he received his Master of Arts degree in Public and International Affairs in 1983.

After graduating Fisette moved to Arlington where he began work as an auditor for the General Accounting Office. From 1988-1989, he worked as a staff consultant for the Senate Labor and Human Resources Committee.{{cite web | url=http://www.fisette.org/about_jay | title=About Jay | publisher=Fisette for Arlington | accessdate=December 11, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150207235132/http://fisette.org/about_jay | archive-date=February 7, 2015 | url-status=live }} During the late 1980s, he became involved with the Arlington Gay and Lesbian Alliance, a local LGBT rights organization. From 1990 to 1998, Fisette served as the director of the Whitman-Walker Clinic of Northern Virginia, a non-profit community health center that specialized in HIV/AIDS care.

In 1993, Fisette ran for a seat on Arlington County's Board after Democratic board member William T. Newman Jr. resigned to become a circuit court judge.{{cite news | title=Gay Man Is Winner In Primary: Turnout Is Heavy In Arlington Vote | newspaper=The Washington Post | date=March 21, 1993 | author=Hall, Charles W. }} In March of that year he defeated three other candidates in the Democratic primary, thanks to support from national gay rights groups, including the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, and Representative Barney Frank, a gay member of Congress.{{cite news | url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1298&dat=19930323&id=6eUyAAAAIBAJ&pg=3458,4217730 | title=Gay candidate wins primary | work=The Free Lance-Star | date=March 23, 1993 | agency=Associated Press | accessdate=December 11, 2014 }}{{cite news | title=Gay Arlington Candidate Seeks to Set Mark in Area; National Group Backing Board Race by Fisette | newspaper=The Washington Post | date=March 19, 1993 | author=Hall, Charles W. }} The following month Fisette lost to Benjamin Winslow, an independent candidate endorsed by Republicans, in the special election by 206 votes.{{cite web|url=http://arlingtonva.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2013/10/Candidate_History.pdf |title=Arlington County Election Results |publisher=Arlington County Electoral Board |accessdate=December 11, 2014 }}{{dead link|date=April 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Four years later in 1997 Fisette decided to run again after County Board chair Ellen M. Bozman chose not run for reelection.{{cite news | title=Arlington Board Chairman Says She Won't Seek 7th Term | newspaper=The Washington Post | date=March 6, 1997 | author=Lipton, Eric }} He ran as a "social progressive and fiscal conservative" who would "hold down taxes, attract new jobs and protect the suburb's diverse neighborhoods." He downplayed the importance of his sexual orientation by saying "I am clearly a proud gay man, but that's not all I am." He ultimately won the election that November, becoming the first openly gay elected official in Virginia. His win was applauded by national LGBT activists and he became one of a dozen gay and lesbian candidates who won elections throughout the country that November.{{cite news | title=A Victory Cast in the 'Arlington Way': Gay Board Member-Elect Says Government, Not His Orientation, Is the Issue | newspaper=The Washington Post | date=November 6, 1997 | author=Eggen, Dan }}{{cite journal | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=j2MEAAAAMBAJ&q=%22Jay+Fisette%22&pg=PA16 | title=Swept into office: Gays post Election Day wins from coast to coast | journal=The Advocate | date=December 9, 1997 | issue=748 | pages=16 | issn=0001-8996 | access-date=December 11, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160419042017/https://books.google.com/books?id=j2MEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA16&dq=%22Jay+Fisette%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=ly6IVKzzHYyngwTQ6IPADQ&ved=0CCkQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=%22Jay%20Fisette%22&f=false | archive-date=April 19, 2016 | url-status=live }}

File:Arlington County Board 2014.jpg

In 2001, Fisette became chair of the County Board, his first of five terms in the rotating position. Under his leadership that year, the county's emergency response was praised following the September 11 attacks on The Pentagon.{{cite news | url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1298&dat=20030806&id=dTMzAAAAIBAJ&pg=4052,1762171 | title=Arlington's Fisette to challenge Moran for seat |work=The Free Lance–Star | date=August 6, 2003 | agency=Associated Press | accessdate=December 11, 2014 | author=Barakat, Matthew }} He won reelection that November, easily defeating Republican candidate Michael W. Clancy. In August 2003, Fisette announced he would challenge Representative Jim Moran for Virginia's 8th congressional district seat, saying he had experience in education, homeland security, and housing issues. Fisette withdrew from the race less than two weeks later.{{cite journal | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GmUEAAAAMBAJ&q=%22Jay+Fisette%22&pg=PA15 | title=Across the Nation | journal=The Advocate | date=September 30, 2003 | issue=899 | pages=15 | issn=0001-8996 | access-date=December 11, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160421033136/https://books.google.com/books?id=GmUEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA15&dq=%22Jay+Fisette%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=ly6IVKzzHYyngwTQ6IPADQ&ved=0CEUQ6AEwBw#v=onepage&q=%22Jay%20Fisette%22&f=false | archive-date=April 21, 2016 | url-status=live }} He ran unopposed for the County Board in 2005, and in 2009, easily defeated Green Party candidate John G. Reeder. Four years later, he defeated another Green Party candidate, Audrey R. Clement, in the 2013 election. When Moran announced his retirement from Congress in 2014, Fisette was one of the names mentioned as a possible replacement.{{cite news | url=http://www.washingtonblade.com/2014/01/21/ebbin-fisette-short-list-u-s-house-seat-northern-va/ | title=Ebbin, Fisette on 'short list' for U.S. House seat in Northern Va | work=Washington Blade | date=January 21, 2014 | accessdate=December 11, 2014 | author=Chibarro Jr., Lou | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140216162342/http://www.washingtonblade.com/2014/01/21/ebbin-fisette-short-list-u-s-house-seat-northern-va/ | archive-date=February 16, 2014 | url-status=live }} He declined to run though, citing "the contrast between the dysfunctional climate on Capitol Hill and the can-do atmosphere in Arlington" as the main reason.{{cite news | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/democrat-jay-fisette-rules-out-run-for-james-morans-house-seat/2014/01/22/21e4a138-83ad-11e3-9dd4-e7278db80d86_story.html | title=Patrick Hope in, Jay Fisette out as field takes shape for James Moran's House seat | newspaper=The Washington Post | date=January 22, 2014 | accessdate=December 11, 2014 | author1=Pershing, Ben | author2=Sullivan, Patricia | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140716193600/http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/democrat-jay-fisette-rules-out-run-for-james-morans-house-seat/2014/01/22/21e4a138-83ad-11e3-9dd4-e7278db80d86_story.html | archive-date=July 16, 2014 | url-status=live }} Fisette declined to run for reelection in 2017 citing the desire for a career change and "embracing and advancing a set of progressive values that are so important to me, values we have championed here in Arlington that are threatened by the [Trump] administration." He is the second-longest-serving board member in the county's history.{{cite news | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-politics/arlington-board-chair-jay-fisette-will-not-run-for-reelection/2017/02/22/3b297396-f91e-11e6-bf01-d47f8cf9b643_story.html | title=Arlington board chair Jay Fisette will not run for reelection | newspaper=The Washington Post | date=February 22, 2017 | accessdate=May 14, 2017 | author=Sullivan, Patricia | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170410080043/https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-politics/arlington-board-chair-jay-fisette-will-not-run-for-reelection/2017/02/22/3b297396-f91e-11e6-bf01-d47f8cf9b643_story.html | archive-date=April 10, 2017 | url-status=live }}

During his tenure, Fisette cited environmental sustainability and a balanced budget as two of his main priorities.{{cite news | url=http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2010/01/04/daily10.html | title=Jay Fisette elected chair of Arlington County Board | work=Washington Business Journal | date=January 4, 2010 | accessdate=December 11, 2014 | author=Krouse, Sarah }} Environmental issues which he advocated for included addressing climate change, phasing-out plastic bags, and encouraging people to no longer buy single use plastic water bottles.{{cite news | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/why-arlington-joined-the-battle-against-climate-change/2014/08/22/3bb5a146-2314-11e4-86ca-6f03cbd15c1a_story.html | title=Why Arlington joined the battle against climate change | newspaper=The Washington Post | date=August 22, 2014 | accessdate=December 11, 2014 | author=Fisette, Jay | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140829092559/http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/why-arlington-joined-the-battle-against-climate-change/2014/08/22/3bb5a146-2314-11e4-86ca-6f03cbd15c1a_story.html | archive-date=August 29, 2014 | url-status=live }}{{cite web | url=http://www.arlnow.com/2014/03/11/fisette-to-speak-at-anti-plastic-bag-event/ | title=Fisette to Speak at Anti-Plastic Bag Event | publisher=ARLnow | date=March 11, 2014 | accessdate=December 11, 2014 | author=Rothstein, Ethan | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141117085232/http://www.arlnow.com/2014/03/11/fisette-to-speak-at-anti-plastic-bag-event/ | archive-date=November 17, 2014 | url-status=live }}{{cite web | url=http://www.wjla.com/articles/2013/01/jay-fisette-launches-crusade-to-think-outside-the-bottle--83819.html | title=Jay Fisette launches crusade to 'think outside the bottle' | publisher=WJLA-TV | date=January 7, 2013 | accessdate=December 11, 2014 | author=Doren, Jenny | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130330223114/http://www.wjla.com/articles/2013/01/jay-fisette-launches-crusade-to-think-outside-the-bottle--83819.html | archive-date=March 30, 2013 | url-status=live }} He also played a large role in establishing the Capital Bikeshare program.{{cite news | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-politics/jay-fisette-to-be-named-chairman-of-arlington-board/2013/12/17/63aa9066-6790-11e3-a0b9-249bbb34602c_story.html | title=Jay Fisette to be named chairman of Arlington Board | newspaper=The Washington Post | date=December 17, 2013 | accessdate=December 11, 2014 | author=Sullivan, Patricia | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219005103/http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-politics/jay-fisette-to-be-named-chairman-of-arlington-board/2013/12/17/63aa9066-6790-11e3-a0b9-249bbb34602c_story.html | archive-date=December 19, 2013 | url-status=live }} He was named 2013's "Best Elected Official" by Arlington Magazine.{{cite web | url=http://www.arlingtonmagazine.com/Best-of-Arlington-2013/Jay-Fisette/ | title=Best of Arlington 2013: Best Elected Official | work=Arlington Magazine | accessdate=December 11, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150104114146/http://www.arlingtonmagazine.com/Best-of-Arlington-2013/Jay-Fisette/ | archive-date=January 4, 2015 | url-status=live }}

{{clear}}

{{s-start}}

|+ Arlington County Board: Results 1993–2013

! Year

!

! Subject

! Party

! Votes

! %

!

! Opponent

! Party

! Votes

! %

!

! Opponent

! Party

! Votes

! %

|-

|1993

||

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Jay Fisette

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |9.143

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |49.4

|

|{{party shading/Independent}} |B.H. "Ben" Winslow, Jr.

|{{party shading/Independent}} |Independent

|{{party shading/Independent}} |9,349

|{{party shading/Independent}} |50.6

|

|{{party shading/None}} |

|{{party shading/None}} |

|{{party shading/None}} |

|{{party shading/None}} |

|-

|1997

||

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Jay Fisette

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |29,127

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |61.9

|

|{{party shading/Independent}} |Amy M. Jones-Baskaran

|{{party shading/Independent}} |Independent

|{{party shading/Independent}} |17,906

|{{party shading/Independent}} |38.0

|

|{{party shading/None}} |Write-in

|{{party shading/None}} |

|{{party shading/None}} |31

|{{party shading/None}} |>0.1

|-

|2001

||

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Jay Fisette

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |30,214

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |60.8

|

|{{party shading/Republican}} |Michael W. Clancy

|{{party shading/Republican}} |Republican

|{{party shading/Republican}} |19,293

|{{party shading/Republican}} |38.9

|

|{{party shading/None}} |Write-in

|{{party shading/None}} |

|{{party shading/None}} |57

|{{party shading/None}} |>0.1

|-

|2005

||

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Jay Fisette

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |43,978

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |97.4

|

|{{party shading/None}} |

|{{party shading/None}} |

|{{party shading/None}} |

|{{party shading/None}} |

|

|{{party shading/None}} |Write-in

|{{party shading/None}} |

|{{party shading/None}} |1,196

|{{party shading/None}} |2.6

|-

|2009

||

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Jay Fisette

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |31,333

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |66.3

|

|{{party shading/Green}} |John G. Reeder

|{{party shading/Green}} |Green

|{{party shading/Green}} |14,970

|{{party shading/Green}} |31.7

|

|{{party shading/None}} |Write-in

|{{party shading/None}} |

|{{party shading/None}} |975

|{{party shading/None}} |2.1

|-

|2013

||

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Jay Fisette

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |38,213

|{{party shading/Democratic}} |66.3

|

|{{party shading/Green}} |Audrey R. Clement

|{{party shading/Green}} |Green

|{{party shading/Green}} |17,916

|{{party shading/Green}} |31.1

|

|{{party shading/None}} |Write-in

|{{party shading/None}} |

|{{party shading/None}} |1,482

|{{party shading/None}} |2.6

{{s-end}}

Fisette is married to Bob Rosen, author of The New York Times best seller Grounded and clinical psychologist who founded Healthy Companies International. They were married on their 30th anniversary on September 17, 2013, at All Souls Church, Unitarian in Washington, D.C. The couple chose to marry following the Internal Revenue Service's announcement that same-sex marriages performed in jurisdictions where it was legal would be recognized for federal tax purposes, no matter where the couple lived.{{cite news | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/newly-wed-arlington-official-fisette-buoyed-by-challenge-to-same-sex-marriage-amendment/2013/10/01/15023ad6-2a05-11e3-8ade-a1f23cda135e_story.html | title=Newly wed Arlington official Fisette buoyed by challenge to same-sex marriage amendment | newspaper=The Washington Post | date=October 3, 2013 | accessdate=December 11, 2014 | author=Sullivan, Patricia | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141215121428/http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/newly-wed-arlington-official-fisette-buoyed-by-challenge-to-same-sex-marriage-amendment/2013/10/01/15023ad6-2a05-11e3-8ade-a1f23cda135e_story.html | archive-date=December 15, 2014 | url-status=live }} After the wedding, Fisette stated: "The world is changing. If you would have asked us 15 years ago if we would ever have the opportunity to get married, we would have said, 'Not in our lifetime.'" Less than one year after their wedding same-sex marriage in Virginia was legalized.{{cite news | url=http://www.washingtonblade.com/2013/09/25/jay-fisette-weds-on-30th-anniversary-bob-rosen/ | title=Fisette weds on 30th anniversary | work=Washington Blade | date=September 25, 2013 | accessdate=December 11, 2014 | author=Chibbaro Jr., Lou | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304075632/http://www.washingtonblade.com/2013/09/25/jay-fisette-weds-on-30th-anniversary-bob-rosen/ | archive-date=March 4, 2016 | url-status=live }} The couple have lived in Arlington's Ashton Heights neighborhood since 1987. In April 2011, their front yard was featured in a three-page article, titled "Front Yard Face-lift", in Southern Living magazine.{{cite web | url=http://www.arlnow.com/2011/05/06/county-board-members-yard-featured-in-southern-living/ | title=County Board Member's Yard Featured in 'Southern Living' | publisher=ARLnow | date=May 6, 2011 | accessdate=December 11, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140712035213/http://www.arlnow.com/2011/05/06/county-board-members-yard-featured-in-southern-living/ | archive-date=July 12, 2014 | url-status=live }}

Fisette is a member of several organizations, including the Arlington Committee of 100, Arlington Gay and Lesbian Alliance, Ashton Heights Civic Association, Equality Virginia, Leadership Greater Washington, Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington, and the Washington Area Bicyclist Association.

{{Reflist|40em}}

{{Commons category|Jay Fisette}}

• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GoiVk7DF0w "Arlington County Board Member Jay Fisette Swearing-In Ceremony"], Arlington TV
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRq_VnXGQto "Arlington County Board Chairman Jay Fisette's Jan. 1 2014 Address"], Arlington TV

{{DEFAULTSORT:Fisette, Jay}}

Category:1956 births

Category:American Unitarian Universalists

Category:Bucknell University alumni

Category:American gay politicians

Category:American LGBTQ city council members

Category:LGBTQ Unitarian Universalists

Category:Living people

Category:University of Pittsburgh alumni

Category:County supervisors in Virginia

Category:Virginia Democrats

Category:Politicians from Arlington County, Virginia

Category:LGBTQ people from Virginia