14 Facts About Jay Fisette

Jay Fisette became the state's first openly gay elected official when he was elected to the five-person Arlington County Board in 1997.

Jay Fisette previously worked for the federal government and at a local nonprofit health center.

Jay Fisette received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Bucknell University in 1978.

In 1993, Fisette ran for a seat on Arlington County's Board after Democratic board member William T Newman Jr.

Four years later in 1997 Fisette decided to run again after County Board chair Ellen M Bozman chose not run for reelection.

In 2001, Jay Fisette became chair of the County Board, his first of five terms in the rotating position.

Jay Fisette withdrew from the race less than two weeks later.

Jay Fisette ran unopposed for the County Board in 2005, and in 2009, easily defeated Green Party candidate John G Reeder.

When Moran announced his retirement from Congress in 2014, Jay Fisette was one of the names mentioned as a possible replacement.

Jay Fisette declined to run though, citing "the contrast between the dysfunctional climate on Capitol Hill and the can-do atmosphere in Arlington" as the main reason.

Jay Fisette played a large role in establishing the Capital Bikeshare program.

Jay Fisette was named 2013's "Best Elected Official" by Arlington Magazine.

Jay Fisette is married to Bob Rosen, author of The New York Times best seller Grounded and clinical psychologist who founded Healthy Companies International.

Jay Fisette is a member of several organizations, including the Arlington Committee of 100, Arlington Gay and Lesbian Alliance, Ashton Heights Civic Association, Equality Virginia, Leadership Greater Washington, Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington, and the Washington Area Bicyclist Association.