The Democratic Primary in Alexandria is June 8, and Alexandria voters have a number of decisions to make.
Early voting has already started in Alexandria and has become a popular option among residents.
The last day to register to vote in the June 8 primary is May 17. You may submit or update your registration information through the Virginia Department of Elections at vote.elections.virginia.gov.
In addition to a crowded ballot for City Council and two people running for Mayor, the following races are on the ballot:
GOVERNOR
Several Democrats are running for governor this year in Virginia. The governor is elected for a four-year term and a governor can serve two terms, but not consecutively. That means current Gov. Ralph Northam is not up for re-election this year.
On the ballot are:
- Jennifer D. Carroll Foy — A graduate of the Virginia Military Institute, Foy has served as a member of the House of Delegates in Virginia representing the 2nd District in southwest Virginia. She was chief sponsor of the Equal Rights Amendment in Virginia.
- Jennifer L. McClellan — A state senator from the Richmond area, McClellan also has more than a decade of experience as a Virginia Delegate.
- Justin E. Fairfax — The current Lt. Governor in Virginia, Fairfax is running on a platform centered on fairness and opportunity.
- Lee J. Carter — A current delegate representing Manassas and Prince William County, Carter is focused on transformation.
- Terry R. McAuliffe — Likely the most familiar name on the ballot, McAuliffe served as governor of Virginia from 2014 - 2018.
The winner will go on to the November election. (As of May 10, the Virginia GOP had not yet selected its nominee.)
LT. GOVERNOR
- Andria P. McClellan — A Norfolk City Council member, McClellan is running for Lt. Governor on a platform of economic growth. No relation to Jennifer L. McClellan, listed above.
- Hala S. Ayala — Ayala is a member of the Virginia House of Delegates (51st District) and is focused on bridging divides so Virginia can move forward.
- Mark H. Levine — Currently representing the Alexandria area as Delegate for the 45th District, Levine is running for Lt. Governor.
- S. "Sam" Rasoul — Rasoul is currently representing Virginia's 11th District in the House of Delegates and is focused on people-first politics.
- Sean A. Perryman — Perryman was the youngest president in the 102-year history of the Fairfax County NAACP and is promises to advance all Virginia residents.
- Xavier JaMar Warren — Warren is a small business owner who is focused on jobs development and livable wages.
ATTORNEY GENERAL
- Jerrauld C. "Jay" Jones — Jones is a Delegate representing the 89th District in the Norfolk area.
- Mark R. Herring — Herring is the current attorney general running for re-election.
HOUSE OF DELEGATES, DISTRICT 45
- Elizabeth B. Bennett-Parker — Current Vice Mayor of Alexandria, Bennett-Parker is hoping to be elected to the Virginia House of Delegates.
- Mark H. Levine — Levine is running for re-election to his current House of Delegates seat while also running for Lieutenant Governor.
CITY COUNCIL AND MAYOR
Three people are leaving City Council — Elizabeth Bennett-Parker is running for Virginia delegate, Redella 'Del' Pepper is retiring, and Mo Seifeldein is not running for re-election. Three current council members are running for re-election — John Taylor Chapman, Amy Jackson and Canek Aguirre.
There are several other candidates running for City Council, as well, making for a crowded primary ballot.
There are two Democratic Mayoral candidates — current mayor Justin Wilson and former mayor Allison Silberberg.
Some of the issues of most interest to voters include density and development and affordable housing.
Here are links to some of their debates, which are interesting and informative to watch. Here are the two most recent debate videos:
In addition, the West End Business Association hosted half-hour, Zoom-based conversations with each candidate for City Council and Mayor this spring, focusing on the Democrats who will be on the ballot for the June 2 primary.
WEBA’s Conversations with the Candidates series started in early March and continued through early May. The series kicked off with a conversation with WEBA President Anna Davalos.
WEBA is was founded in 2005 “to unify, strengthen and serve the West End business community” in Alexandria. The organization’s mission is to “provide member businesses with networking, education and growth opportunities, while offering unified advocacy.”
Conversations with the Candidates videos appear in the order they were recorded with the candidates.
CANEK AGUIRRE
Canek Aguirre, first elected to the City Council in 2018, is running for re-election this year. Learn more about him at www.canekforcouncil.com. Watch the conversation with Aguirre here or below.
AMY JACKSON
Amy Jackson was first elected in 2018 and is running for re-election to City Council this year. Learn more about her at www.amyjacksonva.com. (Watch the conversation here or below.)
KIRK MCPIKE
Kirk McPike is running for City Council. Learn more about him at www.kirkmcpike.com. Watch the video here or below.
ALIYA GASKINS
Aliya Gaskins is running for City Council. Learn more about her at www.alyiaforalexandria.com. Watch the video here or below.
SARAH BAGLEY
Sarah Bagley is running for City Council. Learn more about her at www.sarahforcitycouncil.com. Watch the video here or below.
JAMES LEWIS
James Lewis is running for City Council. Learn more about him at www.jameslewisva.com. Watch the video here or below.
JOHN TAYLOR CHAPMAN
John Taylor Chapman was first elected in 2012 and is running for re-election for his 4th term. Learn more about him at www.chapman4council.com. Watch the video here or below.
PATRICK MORAN
Patrick Moran is running for City Council. Learn more about him at www.patrickmoran.org. Watch the video here or below.
MERRONE TEKLU
Learn more about her at www.meronneforcouncil.com. Watch the video here or below.
BILL CAMPBELL
Learn more about him at www.campbell4council21.com.
BILL ROSSELLO
Learn more about him at www.billforalexandria.com. Watch the video here or below.
JUSTIN WILSON
Wilson is running for re-election as Mayor. Watch the video here or below.
KEVIN HARRIS
Kevin Harris is running for City Council. Learn more about him at www.voteforkevinharris.com. Watch the video here or below.
MARK SHIFFER
Mark Shiffer is running for election to City Council. Learn more about him at markshiffer.info. Watch the video here or below.
ALLISON SILBERBERG
Allison Silberberg is running for a second, non-consecutive term as Mayor. Learn more about her at allisonforalexandria.com. Watch the video here or below.
In addition, Bryan L. Porter is running for Commonwealth's Attorney and Sean Casey is running for Sheriff. Both are running unopposed.
