After graduating Fisette moved to Arlington where he began work as an auditor for the
General Accounting Office. From 1988-1989, he worked as a staff consultant for the
Senate Labor and Human Resources Committee. During the late 1980s, he became involved with the Arlington Gay and Lesbian Alliance, a
local LGBT rights organization. In March of that year he defeated three other candidates in the Democratic primary, thanks to support from national gay rights groups, including the
Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, and Representative
Barney Frank, a gay member of Congress. The following month Fisette lost to Benjamin Winslow, an
independent candidate endorsed by
Republicans, in the special election by 206 votes. Four years later in 1997 Fisette decided to run again after County Board chair Ellen M. Bozman chose not run for reelection. He ran as a "social progressive and fiscal conservative" who would "hold down taxes, attract new jobs and protect the suburb's diverse neighborhoods." He downplayed the importance of his sexual orientation by saying "I am clearly a proud gay man, but that's not all I am." He ultimately won the election that November, becoming the first openly gay elected official in Virginia. His win was applauded by national LGBT activists and he became one of a dozen gay and lesbian candidates who won elections throughout the country that November. In 2001, Fisette became chair of the County Board, his first of five terms in the rotating position. He won reelection that November, easily defeating Republican candidate Michael W. Clancy. He ran unopposed for the County Board in 2005, and in 2009, easily defeated
Green Party candidate John G. Reeder. Four years later, he defeated another Green Party candidate, Audrey R. Clement, in the 2013 election. He declined to run though, citing "the contrast between the dysfunctional climate on
Capitol Hill and the can-do atmosphere in Arlington" as the main reason. Fisette declined to run for reelection in 2017 citing the desire for a career change and "embracing and advancing a set of progressive values that are so important to me, values we have championed here in Arlington that are threatened by the [Trump] administration." He is the second-longest-serving board member in the county's history. During his tenure, Fisette cited environmental
sustainability and a balanced budget as two of his main priorities. Environmental issues which he advocated for included
addressing climate change,
phasing-out plastic bags, and encouraging people to no longer buy single use plastic water bottles. He also played a large role in establishing the
Capital Bikeshare program. He was named 2013's "Best Elected Official" by
Arlington Magazine. ==Electoral history==