Cornerstones Partners with St. Timothy’s for Town of Herndon Town Council Candidate Forum

Cornerstones was proud to partner with St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church for the Town of Herndon Town Council Candidate Forum on Thursday October 15, 2026.

Rev. Stephen Smith Cobbs addresses attendees before the forum discussion.

108 people were in attendance at St. Timothy’s, in addition to 12 of the 13 candidates running for Herndon Town Council seats.

Cornerstones Board Chair Andy Lacher welcomes attendees from the podium, while candidates await their introduction and opportunity to address voters.

With Cornerstones’ Andy Lacher as moderator, he posited 3 important questions affecting the community, giving each of the thirteen candidates an opportunity to share their plans.

The first question asked candidates what they would do to support housing affordability and a thriving workforce, should they be elected.

The questions became increasingly more challenging.

The next question asked candidates to focus on the future and what specific steps the Town Council should take regarding downtown redevelopment and the hiring a new town manager.

The third and final question gave candidates a short 60 seconds to respond. Lacher asked the candidates what actions the Town Council should take to strengthen coordination with Fairfax County and other community-based organizations, so that residents can better access services and resources such as food assistance, housing support, transportation, healthcare, and other basic needs.

After all candidates answered the same three questions, Cornerstones CEO Shannon Steene stepped up to the podium.

Shannon’s words expressed deep gratitude for our partners, as well as reverence for the pursuit of public service and civic engagement.

Shannon noted the upcoming November 3rd election and hope this event better prepared attendees in casting their vote.

The call to action to vote in the upcoming November 3rd election was made loud and clear.

The event then concluded and attendees were invited to a reception with light refreshments and the opportunity to meet the candidates and ask additional questions.

We were honored to be supported in attendance by Senator Jennifer Boysko, House of Representatives Delegate Irene Shin, and Herndon Mayor Kevin LeBlanc.

l-r: Cornerstones CEO Shannon Steene, Virginia Senator Jennifer Boysko, Virginia House of Representatives Delegate Irene Shin, CEO Board Chair Andy Lacher, and Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Laura B. Poindexter.

Click here to see more photos and click here to watch the full recording on YouTube.

Thank you to our event partners the League of Women Voters and the Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce.