Soros-linked prosecutor faces primary challenge as fellow Democrat targets his record

Fairfax County Commonwealth's Attorney Stephen Descano is facing a forceful rebuke from a former federal prosecutor who extensively criticized his record after announcing her bid to unseat him.

Descano, a Democrat, has faced criticism over what opponents describe as lenient prosecutorial decisions, particularly in serious cases involving illegal immigrant suspects. Former federal prosecutor Brittany Dunn-Pirio said that if there weren't systemic problems in his office, she would want to work there.

"I'm a Democrat. This race isn't about whether reform was right. It's about whether the office can tell the difference between a first-time nonviolent offender who deserves a second chance and a violent or sexual offender who doesn't," Dunn-Pirio said on her website.

"It's about whether deadlines are met, evidence is given to the defendant and victims are spoken to."

Fox News Digital reached out to Descano and Dunn-Pirio for further comment.

Descano campaign spokesman Nathan Kiker defended the incumbent's record, telling Fox News Digital that "Steve Descano has spent his tenure proving that you can reform the justice system and keep our community safe at the same time."

"Today, Fairfax County is recognized as the safest large county in the nation because Steve focused on accountability and the root causes of crime rather than failed policies of the past. We are proud to put that record before the voters," Kiker said.

Dunn-Pirio also pointed to "botched sexual assault cases" and prosecutors declining to meet with victims, along with her contention that the justice system too often favors the "well-connected."

Descano has pushed back on claims that his office simply allowed Jalloh to walk free, telling Congress his prosecutors obtained convictions against him "wherever possible."

She also said Descano's office has spent too much time "failing the people I care about."

A carousel on her new campaign website highlights cases that have drawn public scrutiny of Descano, including:

"We need a Commonwealth's Attorney who can make this office work," Dunn-Pirio said. "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 an additional request for comment on Dunn-Pirio's criticism.

"Most recently I was a federal prosecutor, and I resigned from the Justice Department because I couldn't stomach propping up a system that gave pardons to the well-connected while prosecuting average Americans for the same conduct," Dunn-Pirio said.

Dunn-Pirio emphasized that she is a "cradle Democrat," distinguishing her candidacy from a challenge to Descano from the political right.

She said she volunteered for former Vice President Al Gore at age 9, helped lead the College Democrats at the University of Notre Dame, remains active in local Democratic groups and previously managed a campaign for Virginia Del. Marcus Simon, D-Falls Church.

Republicans hold only one seat on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, while Democrats hold the remaining seats. Dunn-Pirio's challenge to Descano will be decided first in the Democratic nomination contest ahead of the 2027 election.