Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson, three incumbent members of City Council and three newcomers won the seventh annual Alexandria Democratic Committee Straw Poll on Monday night.
The unofficial and unscientific contest is held before every Council primary and is one of the first indicators of how voters are leaning. The 2021 Democratic primary for the six-seat Council is packed with 13 candidates and two mayoral candidates.
Wilson defeated former Mayor Allison Silberberg 226 votes to 176 votes, or 56% to 44%.
“”I’m excited to have a win obviously, but our focus is taking our positive message for the City’s future to the voters in advance of the June primary,” Wilson told ALXnow.
Alyia Gaskins received the top number of votes for Council, closely followed by City Councilman John Taylor Chapman.
“I am grateful to the ADC for holding this important event,” Gaskins said. “It’s a great way for voters to learn more about the candidates. I have been reaching out to voters, hearing their stories and proposing solutions to build a healthier, more just Alexandria. I am thankful to all the volunteers and supporters who’ve helped me get to this point. Now I’m focused on early voting, and Election Day after that.”
The Results
- Alyia Gaskins — 272 votes/14.1%
- John Taylor Chapman (incumbent) — 269 votes/14%
- Canek Aguirre (incumbent) — 227 votes/11.8%
- R. Kirk McPike — 183 votes/9.5%
- Amy Jackson (incumbent) — 182 votes/9.5%
- Sarah Bagley — 166 votes/8.6%
- James C. Lewis, Jr. — 107 votes/5.6%
- Meronne Teklu — 107 votes/5.6%
- Bill Rossello — 104 votes/5.4%
- Kevin Harris — 102 votes/5.3%
- William E. “Bill” Campbell — 72 votes/3.7%
- Mark Leo Shiffer — 70 votes/3.6%
- Patrick B. Moran — 62 votes/3.2%
The ADC Straw Poll is not always an accurate reflection of the electorate, although then-Vice Mayor Wilson defeated then-Mayor Silberberg in 2018. In that same contest, former City Councilor Willie Bailey received the most votes but lost reelection. City Councilwoman Del Pepper, Councilwoman Amy Jackson and outgoing Councilman Mo Seifeldein didn’t make the unofficial cut, either, and still won in the June primary and November general election.
We are so grateful to have the support of so many Alexandria Democrats in last night’s straw poll! Thank you to the @AlexVADems for putting this event together! https://t.co/B1ylxind2h
— John Taylor Chapman (@chapman4council) April 6, 2021
Alyia Gaskins wins Straw Poll held by Alexandria Democratic Committee.
Thank you to everyone who voted, the largest participation to date. Thank you to all of the City Council candidates as well. We all did a great job! pic.twitter.com/nrud0ANXNp
— Alyia Gaskins (@Alyia4ALX) April 6, 2021
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If you had a chance to enhance a child’s future with a time commitment of less than 2 hours a week, how would you respond? You have that opportunity right now to join over 200 Alexandrians as a reading tutor volunteer with the Alexandria Tutoring Consortium (ATC).
ATC tutors work with one child in kindergarten, first, or second grade in Alexandria public schools who need extra help with reading. Tutors meet with their Book Buddy 1-2 times each week for 30 minutes October-May at school, during school hours. Many struggling readers only receive one-on-one instruction through this program, and it makes all the difference. Last year, ATC served 195 children, of whom 82% ended the year reading on grade level and 96% made substantial reading gains. But the need is great, and we are still seeing learning lags from the pandemic.
This year, ATC plans to significantly increase the size of the program to reach over 250 students and to serve every elementary school in Alexandria. This is very exciting news, but we will only succeed if we can recruit more tutors. ATC trains you, matches you with a child, and provides ongoing lesson materials and support.
If you have been thinking about buying your first home or haven’t owned one in the last three years, THIS IS FOR YOU!
In the DMV area, it can be difficult to save the downpayment necessary for you to get into your own home. We have a solution. The Funder’s Summit!
We have assembled a summit with different municipalities to tell you how to access their funds for your home purchase.
2023 Alexandria Fall Festival
Food trucks, bounce houses, pony rides, magic shows and more at the 2023 Alexandria Fall Festival, an Alexandria Living event presented by The Patterson Group. Join us at River Farm on Sunday, Nov. 5 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
