In 2015, Van Ness, a Republican, ran for office in District 43 which was vacant due to the resignation of Ronald Ramsey.
She narrowly defeated her opponent, Democrat Tonya Anderson, in a run-off election that took place on December 1, 2015.
In 2024, Van Ness ran as a Democrat for Rockdale County Chairman.
She advanced to a June runoff election in which she defeated the incumbent.
Van Ness also founded private schools in Rockdale and Newton County, called Peachtree Academy.