The day after Election Day, Sandy Marks said she felt good, satisfied and tired.
It’s been nearly four years since Marks was elected chair of the Alexandria Democratic Committee. After working for months to get Alexandria’s politicians reelected and help secure last night’s statewide Democratic wins, Marks is riding off into the proverbial sunset by stepping down and not seeking a third two-year term.
“With all these wins last night, we’re in a position to do some real good,” Marks said, “to use legal methods of actual legislating and work together to join other democratically led states in the United States, to lock arms and build that brick wall that’s going to fight and stop authoritarianism in its tracks.”
Marks is credited with moving the ADC office from Old Town to Del Ray and increasing membership and events. She also expanded the committee’s annual Rock the Blue fundraising dinner to include headliners like U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) and U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA).
“I had a long list of things I wanted to do with the ADC,” Marks said. “The caliber of people running our organization and our executive committee are just shocking and outstanding. Why on earth would I not make room for the next person who has two pages of things they’d like to accomplish?”
The ADC will open the floor for nominations Dec. 12, and an internal election will be held Jan. 5.
Reacting to Marks’ forthcoming departure, Mayor Alyia Gaskins called the chair “a tremendous leader” and said she accomplished important work for the party in a Democrat-dominated city.
“Throughout her time as chair, she has created new and fun ways to mobilize Democrats, increase voter turnout and bring more people into the party,” Gaskins said.
Vice Mayor Sarah Bagley and several members of City Council described Marks as a good friend, ambitious go-getter and effective leader with a passion for progressive values. Council Members Jacinta Greene and Abdel Elnoubi told ALXnow the next chair has “big shoes to fill,” and Canek Aguirre praised Marks for “letting others lead.”
“She never lost sight of our core mission to elect Democrats, and last night’s outstanding performance by Democrats locally is a fitting end to her leadership of our local party,” Bagley said.
Former Mayor Justin Wilson said that Marks is a “dynamo” who took on “the most thankless job on the planet and brought new energy and passion to our local committee.”
“She has inspired new people to get involved, turned words and ideas into action and ultimately made positive change in our community,” Wilson said. “We will miss her as chair, but I have confidence that success will follow whatever she takes on next.”
Looking back at her tenure as chair, Marks said she feels “thrilled and optimistic” about ADC’s rising leaders and the increased membership she leaves as a legacy.
“We now have around 450 members, up from the 150 members we had when I joined,” Marks said. “Now, we’re in the most active and dependable Democratic precinct in the Commonwealth.”
In the meantime, she isn’t sure what her future role will be with the ADC, or whether she’ll one day run for office.
“I’m a campaigner at heart,” Marks said. “I have no plans to run for office right now.”
