Chris Militzer/Miliman12 Photography
City of Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson.
Incumbent Mayor Justin Wilson won in a rematch Tuesday night against former Mayor Allison Silberberg in Virginia's Democratic primary.
"Thank You Alexandria!" the Mayor said to his followers on social media Tuesday night. "I am honored to have your support. Together we will ensure that Alexandria is a community that not only survives, but thrives. On to November!"
Wilson won with 57.21 percent of the vote, which was a larger percentage of the vote than what he received in 2018, when the two ran against each other in the primary. At that time, Silberberg was the incumbent and Wilson was vice-mayor.
Silberberg, who won 42.79 percent of the vote on Tuesday, congratulated Wilson Tuesday evening and thanked her supporters in a letter:
"Last night, I congratulated Mayor Wilson for his victory. I wish him all the best. I congratulate all those who won in the primary for the City Council. And for those who did not prevail last night, I commend them for stepping up and running.
I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to all those who voted for me and all who helped our campaign in countless ways, including: our volunteers, hosts of Meet & Greets, those who made calls and wrote letters to the editor, and our donors. It was a huge team effort, and I am deeply grateful to each and every one of you for all of your friendship, generosity, belief, and dedication."
Photo courtesy of campaign
Mayor Justin Wilson at home Tuesday night as results came in showing him winning the Democratic primary for mayor.
In one of the most high-profile races in the region, the Alexandria mayoral race saw some hot and heavy politicking on both sides with multiple debates, yard signs dotting the city and volunteers criss-crossing neighborhoods knocking on doors.
Silberberg threw her hat in the ring at the last hour after Council Member Mo Seifeldein bowed out shortly after announcing his candidacy. Silberberg ran for city council in 2012 (and became vice mayor, as the member with the most votes). In June 2015, Silberberg surprised political pundits when she ousted four-term incumbent Mayor Bill Euille, and beat him again in the November general election after he launched a write-in campaign.
See how Alexandrians voted in the mayoral race, by precinct.
The rematch between Wilson and Silberberg brought out lots of debating online over everything from environmental concerns to housing density.
Silberberg was seeking a second three-year term and ran on a platform of responsible development, environmental protection of Alexandria's forests and repairing sewage and stormwater infrastructure.
Earlier in the day, Silberberg noted that she voted in her neighborhood:
"Just voted at Charles Barrett precinct in my neighborhood of Parkfairfax, where I have lived since 1992. Great to see longtime friends and neighbors, Jeff Lisanick and Robin Woods! My personal thanks to them and others for standing for me at our precinct.
Photo courtesy of Silberberg via Twitter
Former Alexandria Mayor Allison Silberberg votes in primary election Tuesday.
Wilson, who has touted a pro-growth stance before and after the pandemic, was out Tuesday as well: "Now I’m at Polk precinct and I found my mom out here greeting voters!"
Both were elected to City Council in 2012.
As Mayor, Wilson represents the City regionally on the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority and the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Board of Directors. Within the City, he leads the City-Schools Subcommittee, the ARHA Redevelopment Committee, the Quality of Life Committee, Legislative Subcommittee, the Audit Committee, the Employee Pension/Compensation Committee, the Potomac Yard Metro Implementation Advisory Group and the Combined Sewer Outfall Project Review Team Workgroup.
Wilson touts his new investments in schools, transportation and environmental infrastructure. He notes his work to expand early childhood education, address growing student enrollment, accelerate economic growth, advance climate policy as well as protecting and expanding housing affordability.
Prior to his election to the City Council, he served as the Chair of the Alexandria Transit Company Board of Directors, which operates the City’s DASH bus service, and served on the Budget & Fiscal Affairs Advisory Committee. He was twice elected president of
Photo courtesy of Wilson campaign via Twitter
Mayor Justin Wilson and his mother at Polk Precinct Tuesday.
the Del Ray Citizens Association.
Wilson holds a bachelor’s of science degree in Information Systems from Virginia Commonwealth University, and is a Fellow of the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership at the University of Virginia.
Wilson is employed by the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) as a Senior Director.
An avid runner, he has completed nine marathons; he lives in the Del Ray neighborhood of Alexandria with his wife, Alex, a life-long Alexandrian, and their son, Eli and daughter Lena, both Alexandria City Public School students.
Silberberg is a native Texan with a lifetime of political experience. She double majored in international relations and history at American University, where she headed up the College Democrats as a member of the class of ’84.
She also interned for Sen. Edward Kennedy. After graduate school for writing at the University of California – Los Angeles, she returned to the Washington area and continued to work in politics.
