Photo by Susannah Moore for Alexandria Living Magazine
Annetta Catchings
Born in Michigan and raised in Mississippi, Annetta Catchings has been a resident of Northern Virginia since 2004 but has only lived in Alexandria since August. Now, she's running for mayor on a platform of listening to residents and finding common ground, regardless of political affiliation.
Catchings is a long-time military spouse, mother of two grown sons, and has worked for American Airlines as a flight attendant for more than 30 years.
“I could have bought anywhere but I’ve always loved Alexandria… and when the opportunity presented itself to move here, that’s what I did. What inspired me to run was that I wanted to protect my investment, that was first and foremost to be honest, and I felt that there were some real systemic issues going on here in Alexandria,” Catching said in a recent interview.
Catchings believes her ability to listen to people, honesty and life experience will make her a strong candidate for mayor. She said that the position “requires strong leadership and it requires a person who will listen to the community and make sure that their interests are represented at the table.”
It’s no secret that Alexandria residents are mostly Democrats. When asked why she chose to run as a Republican, Catchings was quick to respond. “To me it wasn’t really a choice. For some people it might be a choice because some people look at politics through a strategic lens. … We need people who are honest with who they are and what they represent. ... I truly feel like Alexandrians want a change. I think they are ready to look past partisan politics, actually. They see where it’s gotten our country and they are looking for that person who has the bipartisan ability to reach across the aisle to coalesce with other people and make things happen that are in the best interest of the residents here, and I do believe I bring that.”
She went on to explain that she comes from a family of Democrats and has many friends and coworkers who lean left. “I don’t lead with my politics, I let people get to see me and I see them and then we find that you know what, at the end of the day we want the same things,” said Catchings.
Three of the most important issues to Catchings are density, transparency and the return to ward representation in the City. Alexandria is densely populated with more than 160,000 residents living on only 15 square miles of land. According to Catchings, this density leads to a host of complications including transportation issues and the need to protect natural streams and habitats.
When asked about her opinion on the controversial Seminary Road diet and whether it should be reversed, Catchings said there was a level of dishonesty in the process and that the right questions were not asked at the time. She observed that it has now become a safety issue. “They do need to return to that and correct that,” she said.
When it comes to the Taylor Run stream restoration project, Catchings admitted she can see both sides. She is concerned over the loss of trees and the disruption to the ecosystem. She had done walks of both Strawberry Run and Taylor run and has engaged with civic associations, experts and the Department of Transportation and Environmental Services and says she is still gathering information before taking a position. “I won’t take a side on it to be honest,” said Catchings.
She believes too many decision in the City have been made without transparency and community input. Ideas like co-location and accessory dwelling units have caught many residents off guard, with little time to respond or engage. Catchings proposes creating a new master plan for Alexandria that will allow citizens to know ahead of time what is coming in the future. She also proposes an ethics council to bring back trust in city government. The council would have the power to investigate and audit and would “ensure fair and wise use of taxpayer dollars,” which could ultimately save the City money.
Catchings also wants to bring back wards in the City. “Imagine a city council and mayor that actually does a master plan, and you’re analyzing all the different small area plans and you bring the mobility master plan into it and then you encourage different quadrants of the City to be involved in that. Not only that, [but] Imagine if you have wards where these city council members are actually representing the different areas – that is my big vision for Alexandrians because I think what it does it just gives citizens a seat at the table and they know years out what we’re going to bring into this City and you’re not caught on your heels, you know what’s coming, we’ve discussed it several times over and it allows them to be proactive. And not only that, it gives them transparency.”
Many have questioned Catchings’ qualifications for the position because of her “newcomer” status to Alexandria, but she sees it as a benefit. She doesn’t want the typical political alliances of established candidates.
“The alliances that I want to make are with the citizens. That’s the benefit of being an outsider.”
She also believes her extensive travel gives her fresh and new ideas for the City. Catchings would not be the first airline employee to become mayor if elected. Charles E. Beatley, Jr., who served as mayor of Alexandria from 1967-1976 and again from 1979-1985 was a pilot for United Airlines. He is credited for revitalizing Alexandria from a small town to a thriving small city.
Catchings said she has not spoken with current Mayor Justin Wilson yet but is excited for the opportunity to engage in debate. She said she spoke with Silberberg before either officially announced their run for mayor, because she wanted to get her perspective on the role.
When asked why Alexandrians should elect her as mayor, Catchings led with what she calls her value statement: “When we transcend beyond the boundary lines that keep us in, we find through our own self-discovery that we are more alike than different.”
She went on to explain what sets her apart. “I truly think that I am representative of what Alexandria can be at her best. Think about that. An African American, a Republican, a female that’s three minorities right there and honestly by electing me mayor, based on my experience, not on any of those classifications, I think that Alexandria would be saying to the world, ‘This is what we can do, we can put aside partisan politics, center around the things that we all want for our own individual lives, for our families and our children and in doing that, we are electing someone that represents our community.'”
For more information on Catchings follow her campaign Facebook page here.
