(Updated 4:15 p.m. on Nov. 3) With 31 of 33 precincts reporting, Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson won a victory over Republican opponent Annetta Catchings on Tuesday.
The general election win came months after Wilson defeated his political rival, former Mayor Allison Silberberg, in the June primary.
Wilson is married with two children and was elected in a special election to Council in 2007 after the resignation of then-Vice Mayor Andrew Macdonald. He lost reelection in 2009, was reelected in 2012 and was elected vice mayor in 2015. For his day job, he is a senior manager at Amtrak.
“It’s a thrill to win reelection,” Wilson said. “It’s been a long couple of years, and divisive. We went straight from the pandemic to the election and didn’t really get out of the pandemic. Now we can turn the page. I’m really excited about this new Council. It’s full of people who want to move the city forward, and by all accounts, we’re anticipating difficult results at the state level.”
Catchings, who moved to the city last year, clashed with Wilson over issues like the city’s guaranteed basic income program and the community policing review board.
Catchings congratulated Wilson for his victory in a letter to her supporters Wednesday morning.
“In a heavy Democrat city with its own built-in machine, at least 31% of voters were asking for new leadership, a balanced government, and liked the message that I brought to the table,” Catchings wrote. “I began this race as a concerned parent and I will continue to be a voice, and an advocate for the people.”
City Council member Amy Jackson, leading the City Council race with 14.59% of the votes, is poised to become vice mayor. Jackson, a former teacher and school administrator who won election in 2018, push increased government transparency and economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic as centerpieces of her reelection bid.
“I listened to the community and I did my job,” Jackson said. “As long as the future Council listens to the community, we’ll be in good shape.”
The Next City Council
The other five slots on City Council were filled by Democrats Aalyia Gaskins, John Taylor Chapman, Kirk McPike, Sarah Bagley and Canek Aguirre.
Gaskins, McPike and Bagley are newcomers to the City Council. Councilwoman Del Pepper retired, Vice Mayor Elizabeth Bennett-Parker was elected to represent the 45th District in the Virginia House of Delegates and Councilman Mo Seifeldein left politics altogether.
“I am feeling proud of the campaign that we ran,” Bagley said. “I worked until the last minute. I am thrilled that I get this opportunity, to be quite honest. I live in a special place with a lot of talented people. And I’m honored and excited that I get to work for them.”
Turnout in the election was bolstered by the gubernatorial race between former Democratic Governor Terry McAuliffe and Republican challenger Glenn Youngkin. McAuliffe carried Alexandria but will likely lose the statewide election.
“We had a long campaign, and we were hoping for different results at the statewide level,” McPike said. “We have so many issues, like affordable housing and flooding that we have federal dollars for, but will affect the statewide dollars we get. Alexandria is a bastion of democracy, and we need to show that there is a way forward in a progressive manner, even if we didn’t show that in the statewide level today.”
The Republican victory in the governor’s race puts some of the city’s goals in jeopardy.
“On a lot of progressive issues that this community thinks is important, as evidenced by our election result, residents are going to look at local government to lead, because we’re not going to have a partner in the state in a lot of cases,” Wilson said. “The region is going to have to speak much more clearly about its progressive values.”
The candidates will be sworn into office in January.
James Cullum and Vernon Miles contributed to this story.
Recent Stories
At a town hall meeting last Sunday, most City Council members said — in no uncertain terms — that they are opposed to a ward system in Alexandra. Currently, all…
Alexandria is bracing for a federal government shutdown at midnight on Sunday (Oct. 1). The city is preparing a package of services for impacted city residents, should Congress not come…
Shuttles are running between the Potomac Yard Metro station and National Airport Metro station after a derailment this morning. Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) said there were no injuries…
Just Listed includes a 1 BD/1 BA freshly painted condo with an in-unit washer/dryer, hardwood floors and built-in cabinetry.
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.
