Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Stephen Descano Faces Primary Challenge from Brittany Dunn-Pirio

<p>Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Stephen Descano is facing a challenge from former federal prosecutor Brittany Dunn-Pirio, who has criticized his record after announcing her candidacy to unseat him.</p><p>Descano, a Democrat, has been criticized by opponents for what they describe as lenient prosecutorial decisions, particularly regarding cases involving illegal immigrant suspects. Dunn-Pirio stated that if there weren't systemic issues in his office, she would want to work there.</p><p>"If this office were doing its job, I wouldn’t be running against it. I’d be applying to work for it. But it isn’t," Dunn-Pirio said on her campaign website after media reported her candidacy late Wednesday.</p><p>Dunn-Pirio emphasized that her campaign is not about whether reform was appropriate, but rather whether the office can distinguish between first-time nonviolent offenders who deserve a second chance and violent or sexual offenders who do not. She also highlighted the importance of meeting deadlines, providing evidence to defendants, and communicating with victims.</p><p>Fox News Digital reached out to both Descano and Dunn-Pirio for further comment. Descano's campaign spokesman Nathan Kiker defended the incumbent's record, stating that "Steve Descano has spent his tenure proving that you can reform the justice system and keep our community safe at the same time." Kiker noted that Fairfax County is recognized as the safest large county in the nation due to Descano's focus on accountability and addressing the root causes of crime.</p><p>Dunn-Pirio pointed to issues such as "botched sexual assault cases" and a failure to meet with victims, claiming that the justice system often favors the "well-connected." One case that has drawn scrutiny involves Abdul Jalloh, an illegal immigrant from Sierra Leone charged with murdering Stephanie Minter, who was killed at a bus stop in February after Jalloh had multiple previous arrests.</p><p>Descano has countered claims that his office allowed Jalloh to go free, asserting that his prosecutors obtained convictions "wherever possible." Dunn-Pirio previously served as a prosecutor in Frederick County, Virginia, and as a federal prosecutor in Kentucky. She resigned from the Department of Justice in 2025 after working on COVID-related fraud cases.</p><p>Dunn-Pirio expressed her dissatisfaction with a system that she believes pardons the well-connected while prosecuting average Americans for similar conduct. She stated that Descano’s office has failed the community.</p><p>Her campaign website features cases that have raised public concern regarding Descano's office, emphasizing the need for a Commonwealth’s Attorney who can effectively serve the community. Dunn-Pirio stated, "Every person in Fairfax should feel safe, and every person in Fairfax should be able to trust the office that’s supposed to protect them." Descano’s campaign did not immediately respond to additional requests for comment on Dunn-Pirio’s criticisms.</p><p>Dunn-Pirio, most recently an associate at a civil litigation firm, served as an assistant U.S. attorney in Kentucky for two years before resigning in November 2025. She has a background in prosecuting COVID relief fraud and public corruption cases. Dunn-Pirio has been active in Democratic politics, having volunteered for former Vice President Al Gore and managed a campaign for Virginia Delegate Marcus Simon.</p><p>Republicans hold only one seat on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, while Democrats occupy the remaining seats. Dunn-Pirio’s challenge to Descano will first be decided in the Democratic nomination contest ahead of the 2027 election.</p>