Sean Lenehan
Publisher's note: This interview and article were completed prior to the first Presidential Debate on Sept. 29. Alexandria Living, LLC does not endorse any candidate or party, and the magazine and its team members do not support racism, white supremacy or any hate group.
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With Election Day quickly approaching, it feels like the divide between Democrats and Republicans is bigger than ever. Political signs are snatched from neighbor's yards and heated opinions fill Facebook newsfeeds.
According to Sean Lenehan, chair of the Alexandria GOP, there is actually more that unites us than we realize.
According to Sean Lenehan, chair of the Alexandria GOP, there is actually more that unites us than we realize.
“The local party is working on local issues,” he explained. “Our schools, quite frankly, are struggling a little. That’s not a Republican issue or a Democratic issue, that’s a local issue. Development, traffic, taxes and spending those are all Alexandria issues and when we talk about that at a local level, that’s not as divisive because we’re all working for the same things.”
Lenehan was raised in Alexandria and graduated from Bishop Ireton High School. He volunteered with the Republican party beginning in high school, serving on the Parks and Rec Commission and as a city election officer before becoming the chairman of the Alexandria GOP five years ago.
Being an Alexandrian is so much more than politics to Lenehan. He also volunteers with Alexandria City Public Schools and Wright to Read literacy program, the animal shelter and as a referee for high school football.
The Alexandria GOP has a table outside the Old Town Farmers' Market on Saturdays and Lenehan said that people are always civil.
“The people that support us come and hang out with us and the people that don’t support us, they respect our right to be there, and when we have that kind of environment here in the city we are going to be ok. You can see our city council members walking around the streets and our statehouse representatives walking around the streets… We’re a small city and I don’t think that’s divisive — that’s more reflective of who we are.” Lenehan emphasized with pride.
Some of the local issues that are of particular concern for the Alexandria GOP include underperforming schools, traffic issues like the Seminary Road Diet, the pollution of waterways and the practice of borrowing money at high rates to fund the City.
He also emphasized Republican support for local police. He admitted while these issues apply to all City residents the solutions are not always the same. “We may have different opinions, [but] having different perspectives is a healthy way to get to the solutions,” he explained.
In an area where all elected officials in the City are Democrats, Alexandria Republicans have to be creative: They have an active women’s club and young Republicans club, and they host many internal events to promote sharing ideas within the group.
Members are also active in their communities, sharing views with neighbors, friends and coworkers. In addition to a strong presence at the farmers' market, they have traditionally had a presence at local festivals and events, volunteering at park cleanups and blood drives.
COVID-19 had limited most of the group’s in person activities but they have continued to meet virtually and share via social media. They have also developed contactless door knocking where they leave a sticky note on doors of area Republicans and Independents with important voting dates and links to candidate websites. Collecting data is also key to helping them figure out what local issues are most important to residents.
Working for the Whole Slate
Lenehan admitted that state and Federal issues are more divisive but he believes that they can be used as a shield or an excuse from working together on local issues.
He said that the local Republican chapter is in full support of Donald Trump. He believes that Republicans in Alexandria may be silent but significant.
In past elections, roughly 30 to 35 percent of voters have voted Republican. In 2016, 18 percent of voters in Alexandria voted for then-candidate Donald J. Trump.
He shared that many local Republican supporters fear repercussions if they make their opinions public. Alexandria’s proximity to Washington DC makes it an interesting place politically, and it has been home to many prominent Republicans.
That being said, he made it clear that this year is a national election and the Alexandria GOP is “working for the entire slate.” They have hosted watch parties for debates and worked with other local GOP groups in nearby Fairfax County and Prince William County who he said share some common issues with Alexandria like the loss of commercial space as a tax base and pollution of the Potomac River.
Lenehan ended with praise for Alexandria’s voter turnout and the Office of Voter Registration and Elections. Almost 84 percent of registered voters in Alexandria turned out for the 2016 election. He has worked with the Office of Voter Registration and Elections closely over the years.
He wanted to emphasize to members from both political parties who are concerned over the accuracy of this year’s election.
“Everybody in that office is truly working to make sure we have a fair, transparent election. Our elections are run by the Alexandria election office, there is no other group running it, and they do an amazing job.”
