John F. "Jack" Herrity (1932 – February 1, 2006) was an American businessman, lawyer and politician, who served as a member of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors for 16 years from 1976 to 1988, including 12 years as chairman.

John F. Herrity
Chairman of Fairfax County Board of Supervisors
In office
January 5, 1976 – December 31, 1988
Preceded byJean Packard
Succeeded byAudrey Moore
Personal details
Born1932
Arlington County, Virginia, US
DiedFebruary 1, 2006 (aged 74)
Inova Fairfax Hospital, Virginia, US
Political partyRepublican
ChildrenPat Herrity (son)
EducationGeorgetown University (undergrad; law)
OccupationPolitician, businessman, lawyer
Nickname"Mr. Fairfax"

Biography

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Herrity was born in Arlington County, Virginia in 1932, and was raised in Prince George's County. He attended Georgetown University, receiving an undergraduate in law. He later started Jack Herrity and Associates, an insurance business.[1]

In 1974, he ran against Robert E. Harris for Virginia House of Delegates, but lost the Republican nomination.[2]

Herrity was elected chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on January 5, 1976, and serving until December 31, 1988.[3] While serving, he helped fund construction for the Fairfax County Parkway, which was named after him in 1995.[4] He brought many fortune 500 companies to Fairfax County. In 1980, Washingtonian named him the "Washingtonian of the year".[5]

In 1986, Herrity was charged with violating public disclosure laws.[6]

In 1987, he raised over $70,000 to fund his reelection campaign, with funding received from Bob Dole and Paul Trible.[7]

Herrity died of an aortic aneurysm in the Inova Fairfax Hospital on February 1, 2006. After his death, Frank Wolf made a statement, saying: "I to remember the Honorable John F. 'Jack' Herrity, former chairman of the Fairfax County, Virginia, Board of Supervisors, who passed away on February 1. If anyone is worthy of the title 'Mr. Fairfax,' Jack Herrity is that person".[1] His son Pat is also a politician.

References

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  1. ^ a b Wolf, Frank (February 16, 2006). "REMEMBERING JACK HERRITY OF FAIRFAX COUNTY, VIRGINIA". Retrieved 2024-05-12.
  2. ^ "GOP Del. Robert Harris Enters 8th District Race". Washington Post. 2023-12-20. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2024-05-12.
  3. ^ "CHAIRMEN OF THE FAIRFAX COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS 1870-2009" (PDF). Retrieved 2024-05-12.
  4. ^ "Former Fairfax board Chairman Jack Herrity dies". The Washington Times. February 1, 2006.
  5. ^ "HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 407". Retrieved 2024-05-12.
  6. ^ "Herrity Guilty Of Violating Disclosure Law". Washington Post. 2023-12-29. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2024-05-12.
  7. ^ "BIG NAMES, BIG BUCKS FOR HERRITY". Washington Post. 2023-12-30. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2024-05-12.