Photo by Rachel E. H. Photography
Alexandria Virginia City Hall
The historic City Hall in Alexandria, Virginia.
As the City of Alexandria enters a new era of growth and development, budgets and conflicting priorities, voters will be choosing between new and returning candidates for City Council this fall.
The Alexandria City Council has six council members plus the mayor, who also votes on city matters. Several candidates for City Council are new this year.
According to the City of Alexandria, here’s how it works: “Council determines the needs to be addressed and the degree of service to be provided by the administrative branch of the City government. The Mayor, who is chosen on a separate ballot, presides over meetings of the Council and serves as the ceremonial head of government. The Mayor does not have the power to veto Council action. Council members traditionally choose the person receiving the most votes in the election to serve as Vice Mayor.”
Current Mayor Allison Silberberg lost in the June primary to Vice Mayor Justin Wilson, who is now running for mayor unopposed.
There are six Democrats running for City Council member positions, two Republicans and one Independent. Incumbents are marked with an asterisk. They are presented here in alphabetical order by last name.
Absentee voting is open now. The election is Nov. 6. Learn more at alexandriava.gov/Elections.
Canek Aguirre (D) — Aguirre describes himself as “a community advocate and progressive leader focused on improving the lives of all Alexandrians.” He is current chair of the City of Alexandria’s Economic Opportunities Commission. Canek says he “will work to increase housing opportunities, invest in our public schools, and to improve health outcomes.” canekforcouncil.com
Elizabeth B. Bennett-Parker (D) — Bennett-Parker leads Together We Bake, a nonprofit organization that provides job training and personal development for women, and founder of Fruitcycle. She serves on the Community Criminal Justice Board and several local organizations. She is passionate about expanding employment opportunities, strengthening schools and ensuring inclusiveness. elizabethforalx.com
John Taylor Chapman* (D) — Chapman is seeking his third term on the Alexandria City Council and has served on boards and commissions in Alexandria for more than 13 years. An Alexandria native, “He believes that every Alexandrian should be able to raise a family, afford their housing, have access to high-quality education, start a business, and enjoy the unique and vibrant culture of Alexandria,” according to his website. chapman4council.com
Michael Clinkscale (R) — Clinkscale came to Alexandria after a career as a lawyer and as a military contract worker and fitness instructor in Ethiopia. When he returned to the United States, he was homeless for a time and started working with the local homeless population. Clinkscale is campaigning to reduce programs for the poor, significantly reduce taxes and revamp the affordable housing program. facebook.com/Clinkscale4CityCouncil.
Kevin Dunne (R) — Dunne describes himself as a moderate who will advocate for compromises and work against extremism, use technology to improve government, improve public engagement and make Alexandria more business-friendly. kevinforcouncil.org.
Amy B. Jackson (D) — A former educator, Jackson is involved in numerous Alexandria commissions, programs, and non-profit organizations. She pledges to invest in affordable housing, schools, economic revitalization, and higher pay for teachers and first responders. amyjacksonva.com
Redella S. “Del” Pepper* (D) — Pepper is seeking her 12th term on the Alexandria City Council. “My vision for Alexandria is of a diverse city with liveable 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,” Pepper says on her website. delpepper.com
Mo Seifeldein (D) — An attorney and small business owner, Seifeldein “is committed to making Alexandria a more prosperous, inclusive city that supports its residents by facilitating responsible economic development and improving critical city services.” moseif4council.com
Mark Shiffer (I) —Shiffer is relatively new to Alexandria and has made his career in science and technology. Shiffer says he thrives on building strong teams and solving difficult problems, and he will focus on traffic, development, affordable housing and creating a RARE (representative, accountable, responsive and engaged) city government. markshiffer.info.
Also see our guide to the 2018 ACPS School Board candidates here.
