News

JUST IN: Republican nominee withdraws from Alexandria City Council race

By James Cullum
Voting at Temple Beth El Synagogue (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Gerry Chandler, the Alexandria Republican City Committee’s nominee in the April 21 City Council special election, is withdrawing from the race.

Chandler, an educator and computer scientist, told ALXnow that he will not be running due to the “financial disclosures” he would have to submit. So far, Democratic nominee Sandy Marks and independent candidate Frank Fannon are the only people running to replace former Councilman-turned-Delegate R. Kirk McPike.

“Because of the onerous financial disclosures required I am withdrawing,” Chandler told ALXnow in a text this afternoon (Thursday).

However, the nominee recently told The Alexandria Brief he was unaware of this Friday’s candidate filing deadline when he sought the nomination, and that he is currently in Tampa, Fla. Chandler reportedly does not plan to return to Alexandria until Saturday.

Chandler has not responded to ALXnow inquiries for more details.

City Council candidates are required to submit two forms to enter the race — a Certificate of Candidate Qualification and a Statement of Economic Interest — according to the Virginia Department of Elections. Both forms are “deemed to be filed by the deadline if mailed to the general registrar’s office on or before the deadline, postage prepaid by registered or certified mail,” according to the department’s candidate bulletin.

The Statement of Economic Interest requires candidates to disclose information such as their employment, personal debts, securities and real estate.

ARCC did not respond to ALXnow for comment, but an update posted on the party’s website confirms it does not intend to nominate another candidate for the election:

In an update to the upcoming Alexandria City Council election, Republican candidate Gerry Chandler has withdrawn from the race.  The Alexandria Republican City Committee will not be nominating another candidate for this election.

Chandler’s candidacy was announced by ARCC Chair Chris Howell earlier this week, after the committee canceled its special party canvas event.

Candidates have until 5 p.m. Friday to file paperwork to appear on the April 21 ballot.

About the Author

  • Reporter James Cullum has spent nearly 20 years covering Northern Virginia. He began working with ALXnow in 2020, and has covered every story under the sun for the publication, from investigative stories to features and photo galleries. His work includes coverage of national and international situations, as well as from the White House, Capitol, Pentagon, Supreme Court and State Department. He's covered protests and riots throughout the U.S. (including the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol), in addition to earthquake-ridden Haiti, Western Sahara in North Africa and war-torn South Sudan. He has photographed presidents and other world leaders, celebrities and famous musicians, and excels under pressure.