In the City of Alexandria, voters had to make a few tough calls in voting among multiple candidates for city council.
Over the past several months, the candidates have sparred over issues surrounding development, housing and population growth, the role of the school board, and the condition of Alexandria's infrastructure.
Democrat and current Mayor Justin Wilson faced a challenge from Republican Annetta Catchings. Wilson has lived in Alexandria for decades, whereas Catchings is a newcomer: Born in Michigan and raised in Mississippi, Catchings has been a resident of Northern Virginia since 2004 but has only lived in Alexandria since August 2020.
Wilson won re-election easily.
"I am so excited that I will be back in service to the residents of Alexandria as your Mayor. Thank you for your faith, trust and support. Let's get to work!" Mayor Wilson tweeted shortly after 10:30 p.m.
As of 5:30 a.m. Wednesday with 32 of 33 precincts reporting, Wilson had received 67.52% of votes.
Elections officials were still counting some provisional votes. More than 52,000 Alexandria residents voted.
In addition, residents got to choose several newcomers to the Alexandria City Council. Of six available seats, only three incumbents ran for reelection this fall.
The following candidates were on the ballot for city council: Alyia Gaskins, Darryl D. Nirenberg, Florence M. King, Glenda Gail Parker, R. Kirk McPike, Sarah R. Bagley, Amy B. Jackson, Canek Aguirre and John Taylor Chapman. (The last three on that list — Jackson, Aguirre and Chapman — were the only incumbents.)
In 2018, Wilson won with 92.72% of the vote. Former mayor William Euille ran as a write-in candidate and got 7.28% of the vote.
Nearly half of Alexandria’s votes were cast early. Ballots that were mailed-in are voted in the Central Absentee Precinct and not part of individual precinct totals, making it difficult to determine which neighborhoods supported which candidate.
As of 5:30 a.m. Wednesday, the results for City Council were as follows.
The candidate with the most votes in the city council races will become vice mayor. Winners of the six available seats are in italics.
Amy B. Jackson - 14.58% (Vice Mayor)
Alyia Smith-Parker Gaskins - 14.18%
John Taylor Chapman - 13.98%
Sarah R. Bagley - 13.90%
Canek Aguirre - 12.36%
R. Kirk McPike - 11.59%
Darryl D. Nirenberg - 9.33%
Florence M. King - 5.39%
Glenda Gail Parker - 4.43%
All results should be considered preliminary until they are certified by the State Board of Elections on Nov. 15.
