Rachel M McQuillen

Raised concerns about new vape shops near city schools and day cares at the May 6, 2025 council meeting. She pointed to Alexandria's ban on vape shops within 1,000 feet of schools and day cares.

May 6, 2025Supports Environment and Public Health

Source: fairfax.granicus.com

Voted for the first pay raise for the mayor and council in more than a decade, which passed 6-0 on June 23, 2026.

June 23, 2026Opposes Government Spending Reduction

Source: fairfax.granicus.com

Voted for the fiscal 2027 budget and against raising the meals tax to 4.5% on May 5, 2026. The meals tax increase passed 4-2.

May 5, 2026Supports Government Spending Reduction

Source: fairfax.granicus.com

Voted against advertising a maximum real estate tax rate of $1.095 per $100 for fiscal 2027 on March 10, 2026. It passed 4-3.

March 10, 2026Supports Government Spending Reduction

Source: fairfax.granicus.com

Voted against $4.6 million in extra funding for the George Snyder Trail on January 13, 2026, and the funding failed 3-3. She then voted to cancel the trail project, which passed 4-2.

January 13, 2026Supports Government Spending Reduction

Source: fairfax.granicus.com

Moved on May 6, 2025, to delay adoption of the fiscal 2026 budget by one week; it failed 3-4. She backed Stacy Hall's failed amendments to cut spending, then voted for the final budget.

May 6, 2025Supports Government Spending Reduction

Source: fairfax.granicus.com

Voted against pausing spending on the Country Club Hills and Pickett Road connector trails and other trail projects on April 8, 2025. The pause passed 3-2.

April 8, 2025Opposes Government Spending Reduction

Source: fairfax.granicus.com

Seconded the School Board's request that the City Council issue up to $220 million in bonds for school building projects. It passed unanimously on June 13, 2024.

June 13, 2024Opposes Government Spending Reduction

Source: fairfax.granicus.com

Moved to make the city's new gun ban in city buildings, on public property and at city-permitted events take effect early, on January 1, 2026. She voted for the ban, which passed 6-0 on October 28, 2025.

October 28, 2025Supports Public Safety and Crime Control

Source: fairfax.granicus.com

Voted against rezoning a commercial property at 9495 Silver King Court for the Highlands at Mantua townhouses. It passed 4-2 on September 22, 2026.

September 22, 2026Opposes Housing Affordability

Source: fairfax.granicus.com

Voted against a zoning change allowing detached accessory dwelling units, or backyard homes, in the city. It passed 4-2 on July 28, 2026.

July 28, 2026Opposes Housing Affordability

Source: fairfax.granicus.com

Voted for the city's Affordable Housing Strategic Plan, which the council adopted unanimously on February 17, 2026.

February 17, 2026Supports Housing Affordability

Source: fairfax.granicus.com

Voted on October 28, 2025, to deny the Courthouse Plaza redevelopment at 10300 Willard Way, which proposed 315 apartments and about 12,000 square feet of shops. The denial passed 4-2.

October 28, 2025Opposes Housing Affordability

Source: fairfax.granicus.com

Voted against rezoning the Davies property at 4131 Chain Bridge Road for a building with up to 276 apartments and ground-floor commercial space. It passed 4-3 on July 22, 2025.

July 22, 2025Opposes Housing Affordability

Source: fairfax.granicus.com

Voted to ask the court for a November 3, 2026 referendum on a sales tax of up to 1% for school and transit construction. The council approved the request unanimously on July 14, 2026.

July 14, 2026Supports Public Infrastructure

Source: fairfax.granicus.com

Opposed the Willard-Sherwood Health and Community Center in October 2025 council votes, citing its cost. After cost cuts, she voted for the $127.2 million project on April 28, 2026.

April 28, 2026Supports Public Infrastructure

Source: ffxnow.com

Voted against $4.6 million in extra funding for the George Snyder Trail on January 13, 2026, and the funding failed 3-3. She then voted to cancel the trail project, which passed 4-2.

January 13, 2026Opposes Public Infrastructure

Source: fairfax.granicus.com

Voted against restarting the paused Pickett Road connector trail on July 22, 2025. The council lifted the pause 4-3.

July 22, 2025Opposes Public Infrastructure

Source: fairfax.granicus.com

Voted to reaffirm the George Snyder Trail project as designed on June 10, 2025. The council reaffirmed it 4-2.

June 10, 2025Supports Public Infrastructure

Source: fairfax.granicus.com

Seconded the School Board's request that the City Council issue up to $220 million in bonds for school building projects. It passed unanimously on June 13, 2024.

June 13, 2024Supports Public Infrastructure

Source: fairfax.granicus.com

Voted for a code of ethics for the mayor, council and city boards, which the council adopted unanimously on September 8, 2026.

September 8, 2026

Source: fairfax.granicus.com

Voted to hire Daniel Alexander as city manager on November 18, 2025. The council approved the hire unanimously.

November 18, 2025

Source: fairfax.granicus.com

Voted on April 22, 2025, to pause all work on the Pickett Road trail so the city could study other options. It passed 4-2.

April 22, 2025

Source: fairfax.granicus.com

Was sworn in as a Fairfax City Council member on January 14, 2025.

January 14, 2025

Source: fairfax.granicus.com

Won the sixth Fairfax City Council seat in the November 5, 2024 election by four votes, 5,236 to 5,232. The incumbent she edged out conceded instead of seeking a recount.

November 5, 2024

Source: connectionnewspapers.com

Was appointed on July 1, 2024, as the School Board's representative to the city Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and as one of its two legislative liaisons.

July 1, 2024

Source: fairfax.granicus.com

Was sworn in to the City of Fairfax School Board on January 9, 2023, for a two-year term.

January 9, 2023

Source: cityoffairfaxschools.org