BEN SHNIDER

    Ben Shnider currently serves as the Chief of Staff to Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano, the reformist elected chief prosecutor of Fairfax County. There he manages a team of over 80, focused on promoting public safety while mitigating mass incarceration and racial and economic disparities in the Fairfax Justice System.

    Ben has an extensive background at the intersection of political advocacy, policy and community organizing. Before taking on his current role he served as J Street’s Chief of Staff and Vice President of Political Affairs, overseeing the organization’s political operation and much of its day-to-day operations. Ben also ran for County Council in Montgomery County, Maryland in 2018 and nearly upset an entrenched incumbent with the endorsement of the JUFJ Campaign Fund and other progressive groups.

    Prior to that, Ben helped launch Bend the Arc Jewish Action’s PAC. He has also held various roles on local and state campaigns in Maryland and began his career as a field organizer for President Barack Obama’s historic 2008 campaign. Ben earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Emory University and his Executive Master in Public Management from the University of Maryland. He lives in Washington, DC with his wife, Sheri, and rescue pup, Twist.

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