Photo by James Cullum
Justin Wilson Kicks Off Campaign for Alexandria Mayor
Justin Wilson kicks off campaign for mayor
With all precincts reporting, Alexandria Vice Mayor Justin Wilson won Tuesday's Democratic primary in the mayor's race, defeating incumbent Mayor Allison Silberberg.
Unofficial results showed Wilson received 11,253 votes (52.87 percent) to Silberberg's 10,031 votes (47.13 percent).
In a tweet Tuesday night, Wilson wrote, "I just talked to @A_Silberberg a few minutes ago. She graciously provided congratulations on a hard-fought race. I am grateful for her tireless service to our City. Tonight we won a great victory for our City’s future. Let’s get started."
In his own words, Wilson "is a progressive leader working to protect the City's fiscal health, identify transportation solutions, and support the success of every child," his campaign website touts.
More from the site: "Wilson has fought for a more accessible, transparent, and accountable city government. He remains laser focused on making Alexandria a better place to live, work, and raise a family. Prior to his election to the City Council in 2007, Justin has served our City, our region and our Commonwealth in a variety of policy Boards and Commissions, including appointments by both Governor Warner and Governor Kaine."
The Washington Post characterized Silberberg's backers as wealthy Old Town Alexandria retirees and Wilson's as energetic Del Ray parents.
"Preservation of the status quo is not a vision," Wilson said in January when he announced his run for the office. "Ladies and gentlemen, the tone and vision of leadership at the top of city government matters."
Wilson, 39, is a resident of Del Ray, where he lives with his wife Alex and their two children, son Eli and daughter Lena. Wilson is a three-term member of the City Council who challenged Silberberg, 55. She served on City Council as Vice Mayor before running for Mayor.
Wilson was backed by former Mayors Bill Euille and Kerry Donley. Both Euille and Donley were defeated by then-Vice Mayor Silberberg in the last election — in the primary, and Euille again in the general election when he ran as write-in candidate.
The City elections office counted nearly 2,000 absentee ballots Tuesday, nearly double that from 2015. Of those votes, 1,007 went to Silberberg and 977 went to Wilson. The City has 104,591 registered voters, 10,438 more than in the 2015 primary election.
Virginia Public Access Project reported that from January to May 31, Silberberg raised $85,075 while Wilson raised $134,307. Each candidate had about $30,000 on hand as of May 31.
Results were as of 11 p.m. Tuesday, June 12.
Alexandria City Council
Twelve Democrats ran for six at-large seats on the City Council with four incumbents running in the race. Councilman Tim Lovain is not seeking reelection.
According to unofficial results Tuesday night, two incumbents won in Tuesday's primary: John Taylor Chapman and Del Pepper; two incumbents also lost: Willie Bailey and Paul Smedberg.
Tuesday's winners in the primary are:
- Elizabeth Bennett-Parker: 13.30 percent of the vote
- *John Taylor Chapman: 11.67 percent
- Mo Seifeldein: 9.15 percent
- *Del Pepper: 8.74
- Canek Aguirre: 8.73
- Amy Jackson: 8.57
Those who also ran for City Council and lost in the Democratic Primary on Tuesday:
- *Willie Bailey: 8.08 percent
- Matt Feely: 7.52 percent
- Dak Hardwick: 7.62 percent
- Chris Hubbard: 3.67 percent
- Robert Ray: 5.58 percent
- *Paul Smedberg: 7.37 percent
Republican Kevin Dunne is also running for City Council.
Results were as of 11 p.m. Tuesday, June 12.
Read more about the City Council results and candidates here.
