Office Alexandria City Council photo
City Councilwoman Del Pepper
Alexandria City Councilwoman Redella S. "Del" Pepper announced Tuesday night that she will not seek another term, after serving on the council for the past 35 years.
She informed those close to her of the decision, stating in an email:
"Dear Friends and Supporters,
At this evening's City Council meeting I announced that I will not be running for reelection in 2021.
Of course I will complete this current term and will continue to focus all my time and energy on the needs of our City.
I am making this announcement today to allow potential candidates enough time to put their campaigns together.
May this message find you and your loved ones well."
Mayor Justin Wilson quickly posted a few words of appreciation after her announcement at the City Council meeting Tuesday evening:
"A bit ago, my colleague Del Pepper announced she will not be seeking re-election next year. There is nobody who has given more of herself in service to our City. Her commitment to good government, our residents and our community will stand the test of time. Thank you Del!"
In her latest run for office, Pepper ran on a wide-ranging platform:
"My vision for Alexandria is of a diverse city with livable and safe neighborhoods, where children are well-educated, the elderly are well-served, and the arts are valued; a city with clean air, ample and accessible parks and open spaces, and a sound economy where businesses prosper and affordable housing is a priority."
Earlier this year, the City Council adopted a resolution honoring Pepper for her service and she was lauded by the region's politicians in a surprise addition to that evening's agenda.
“Del who started as a tireless voice for the West End has left her mark on virtually everything in Alexandria,” Sen. Mark Warner, an Alexandria resident, said. “Del, for all you and F.J.’s tremendous support for our city, thank you, thank you, thank you.”
Pepper was first elected to the City Council in 1985. She served as vice mayor from 1996 to 1997, from 2003 to 2006 and again from 2007 to 2009. Pepper co-chairs the Beauregard Street Corridor Task Force, the Alexandria-Arlington Task Force on the Waste-To-Energy Plant and the Welfare Reform Committee (Alexandria Works!).
She is active with the Commission on Aging, Commission on Information Technology, Facilities Naming Committee, and the Council of Governments Air Quality Committee and Board of Directors. She was recently elected corporate president of the COG. She is a member of the Northern Virginia Regional Commission, where she also chairs the Regional Resources Committee.
Pepper serves on the boards of the YMCA, the T.C. Williams PTSA, the Alexandria Arts Forum, Bienvenidos and the Retired Senior Volunteer Program. She is a former first vice president of the local NAACP and former board member of the City's Community Services Board.
Other affiliations include the Urban League, the League of Women Voters and the Sierra Club. She is a recipient of the Jaycees Appreciation Award, the Council of Senior Citizens Organization's Outstanding Women of Alexandria Award and the Commission for Women's Living Legend Award. Pepper is a Grinnell College graduate. A resident of the City's West End, she and her husband, Dr. F.J. Pepper, have one son.
The next election for mayor and City Council is Nov. 2, 2021. The citywide primary is June 8.
