The following candidate essay was submitted by Wendy Sigley, Republican for House of Delegates in the 2nd District.

I’m Wendy Sigley, and I’m honored to be running for the Virginia House of Delegates, District 2.

After living in several Virginia counties, I’ve fallen in love with Arlington’s walkable lifestyle — its tree-lined streets, parks, trails, and the sense of community that comes from seeing neighbors out and about.

As part of a 21-year military and 15-year federal workforce family, I’ve seen what makes communities thrive: strong food and clean water programs, fair taxation that supports growth without overburdening families, and practical, cross-partisan cooperation. I bring decades of experience in service and leadership, and I’ll always put Virginians first — not party politics.

Every community has challenges. In ours, healthcare, childcare, and housing costs are stretching families thin. The reduction in the federal workforce — which my own family has felt — has had a ripple effect on local jobs and living costs. Having lived on three continents during my family’s military service, I’ve seen how different governments work — and fail — and I’m ready to bring that perspective to Richmond.

There’s also good news. Companies like WB Alloys and Lego Group are investing in Virginia, while global leaders such as Amazon, Apple, IBM, and major automakers are expanding across the United States. These shifts create exciting opportunities for entrepreneurs, small businesses, and innovators right here at home.

Virginia is already one of the top 10 agricultural states in the nation. I’ll work with our farmers and growers to strengthen sustainable practices and raise food quality so that “Made in Virginia” becomes a national standard of excellence. Better food means better health — and that ultimately eases pressure on our healthcare system.

Meanwhile, the cost of living in Northern Virginia keeps climbing. Many Arlington families pay more than $10,000 a year in property taxes; some pay more than double that. Yet too often, our leaders celebrate the number of bills they sponsor instead of the real results those bills deliver.

As your Delegate, I’ll take a different approach.

I’ll focus on accountability, results, and community impact — ensuring every dollar and every policy truly serves you. It’s time to move past politics as usual and work together for a stronger, more resilient Arlington and Virginia.