Shelly Arnoldi

Arnoldi was born in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, and graduated from Sheboygan North High School.[2] She earned a bachelor's degree from Marquette University in 1991 on a ROTC scholarship and a graduate degree in environmental engineering from Old Dominion University in 1998, and she served in the U.S. Navy from 1991 to 2001.[2]

Arnoldi describes herself as a licensed Professional Engineer who has managed major facilities and construction projects for the military, Department of Defense schools, and cultural institutions such as the Smithsonian and the National Gallery of Art; Ballotpedia lists her work as an engineer, federal civilian overseas, and naval officer.[2] Describing herself as a mother, a Navy veteran and a federal engineer, she told ARLnow that she became politically active after 2020.[3]

In 2025 Arnoldi ran as an independent for Virginia House of Delegates District 16, finishing third with 2.8% of the vote behind Paul Krizek (D) and Richard Hayden (R).[2][3] She lives in the Fairfax County portion of the 8th District, and Ballotpedia lists affiliations with the Waynewood Recreation Association, Fort Hunt Youth Athletic Association and The American Legion Post 24.[2][3] In 2026 she ran as the Libertarian Party candidate with the backing of the Libertarian Party of Northern Virginia.[1][2][3] She received 1.2% of the vote to Donald Beyer Jr.'s 79.5%, according to unofficial results reported by NBC News.[4]