Jen Fleisher
Jen Fleisher was elected to the Charlottesville City Council on November 4, 2025. She is a program officer with the Blue Ridge Health District and won one of two Democratic nominations in the June 2025 primary. [1][2]
Background
Fleisher is a program officer with the Blue Ridge Health District. She began work with the District on March 17, 2020, the first day of the COVID-19 lockdown. In the months that followed, she helped launch three mass vaccination sites, directed the mobile vaccine program, and organized drive-through clinics at nearly every public school in Charlottesville and in the District’s five counties. These initiatives were focused on reaching residents who might otherwise miss vaccination, including homebound seniors, farmworkers, and rural residents. The Blue Ridge Health District ultimately reported the second-highest fully vaccinated rate in Virginia and one of the smallest gaps in vaccination rates by race.[3]
Following the pandemic response, Fleisher has led the District’s Community Health Improvement Plan, which addresses long-term health care needs. One focus has been transportation access for residents. She has represented the Health District on several regional transportation bodies, including the Regional Transit Partnership, the Bike & Pedestrian Advisory Committee, the Piedmont Environmental Council’s Mobility Alliance, and the Transportation Workgroup for the Charlottesville Area Alliance.[4]
Fleisher began her health care career as a practicing doula in 2009, supporting more than 120 families. She later earned a Master of Public Health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her community work has included collaborating with midwives to train Charlottesville firefighters on maternal health and co-launching the “Kidz R Kool” program with local pediatricians to provide free school physicals and vaccines to uninsured students.[5]
She lives in the Belmont neighborhood of Charlottesville with her spouse, Jesse, and their son, Theo, a student at Charlottesville High School. Outside of her public health work, she plays stand-up bass in a local band, teaches yoga, and is an active supporter of Charlottesville High School athletics.[6]
Political career
Fleisher filed paperwork with the Charlottesville Democratic Committee on March 17, 2025, to seek the Democratic nomination for City Council.[7]
The Democratic primary election for two open seats on the Council was held on June 17, 2025, utilizing ranked-choice voting for the first time in the city’s history. Fleisher led the field with 50.6% of the vote, followed by incumbent mayor Juandiego R. Wade with 35.9%, and incumbent vice-mayor Brian R. Pinkston with 13.5%.[8] Fleisher and Wade secured the Democratic nominations.
2025 election
| Candidates | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
| Jen Fleisher (D) | 12,790 | 49.92 |
| Juandiego Wade (D) | 12,369 | 48.28 |
| Write-In | 460 | 1.8 |
[9] Voters could cast two votes, one for each of the two seats available, hence the percentages do not total 100%.
Campaign finance
According to campaign finance filings, Fleisher's top donors have included:[10]
| Amount | Donor |
|---|---|
| $5,000 | Sonjia Smith |
| $700 | Julie Cole |
| $500 | Joel Artz |
| $500 | Charles Davis |
| $500 | Michael Fleisher |
| $500 | Fritz Hudson |
| $500 | Steven Johnson |
| $500 | Tyler Magill |
| $500 | Sena Magill |
| $500 | James Oschrin |
| $500 | Dede Smith |
Campaign finance summary
According to filings with the Virginia Department of Elections, Fleisher for Charlottesville City Council reported the following for the period March 6, 2025 through June 30, 2025:[11]
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Starting Balance (March 6, 2025) | $0 |
| Cash contributions more than $100 (37) | $13,794 |
| Cash contributions of $100 or less (126) | $6,855 |
| In-kind contributions more than $100 (7) | $2,071 |
| In-kind contributions of $100 or less | $0 |
| Loans received | $1,251 |
| Miscellaneous receipts | $0 |
| Total Receipts (3/6/2025–6/30/2025) | $23,971 |
| Itemized expenses | $16,392 |
| In-kind expenses | $2,071 |
| Loans repaid | $1,251 |
| Surplus funds | $0 |
| Total Expenses (3/6/2025–6/30/2025) | $19,714 |
| Ending Balance (June 30, 2025) | $4,255 |
References
- ↑ Web. Fleisher announces city council run, emphasizing healthcare, Avery Davis, Charlottesville, Virginia, March 19, 2025, retrieved March 20, 2025.
- ↑ Web. Fleisher to run for Charlottesville City Council, Pimm Dyar, Charlottesville, Virginia, March 17, 2025, retrieved March 31, 2025.
- ↑ Web. Jen Fleisher for City Council – Meet Jen, Jen Fleisher campaign website, retrieved August 19, 2025.
- ↑ Web. Jen Fleisher for City Council – Meet Jen, Jen Fleisher campaign website, retrieved August 19, 2025.
- ↑ Web. Jen Fleisher for City Council – Meet Jen, Jen Fleisher campaign website, retrieved August 19, 2025.
- ↑ Web. Jen Fleisher for City Council – Meet Jen, Jen Fleisher campaign website, retrieved August 19, 2025.
- ↑ Web. Fleisher announces city council run, emphasizing healthcare, Avery Davis, Charlottesville, Virginia, March 19, 2025, retrieved March 20, 2025.
- ↑ Web. Charlottesville ranked-choice election results, RankedChoiceVA.org, retrieved August 17, 2025.
- ↑ Web. Member City Council - At Large (Charlottesville City), Election Results, Virginia Department of Elections, retrieved December 3, 2025.
- ↑ Virginia Department of Elections – Campaign finance reports
- ↑ Virginia Department of Elections – Campaign finance reports
External links
- Charlottesville ranked-choice voting information – RankedChoiceVA.org
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