Mark Sickles

The son of a proud, 39-year federal worker, Delegate Mark Sickles was born in Arlington, raised in Annandale, and now lives in Huntington. He has represented the 43rd House District – centered in the Franconia, Kingstowne, Huntington, Lorton, and Ft. Belvoir neighborhoods of South Fairfax County – since 2004. Mark currently serves on the Appropriations Committee, the Health, Welfare, and Institutions Committee, and the Privileges and Elections Committee. In 2011, he was elected Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, serving as chair through the summer of 2014. Mark is currently the House Democratic Caucus Deputy Minority Leader.

Mark began his public service as a volunteer in the local political and civic life of Lee District. He worked on several campaigns, including those of former Delegate Gladys Keating and the late State Senator Joe Gartlan. He was a volunteer legislative assistant for Delegate Keating for three legislative sessions, during which she served as the first woman chair of what is now the Commerce and Labor Committee. From 1995 to 1998, he served as Chairman of the Fairfax County Democratic Committee.

In civic life, he was appointed by Supervisor Joe Alexander to the Fairfax County Library Board, staying for 11 years with one term as Chairman. He also served as President of United Community Ministries – a social-service non-profit providing employment services, aid to the homeless, and high-quality daycare to low-income children – during a six-year term on its board.

Mark has worked in government relations for 27 years, developing expertise in Congressional affairs and knowledge of the workings of the federal agencies. He has two Master’s Degrees from Georgia Tech and a B.S. from Clemson University.