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City Council special election winner Sandy Marks to be sworn in May 12

By James Cullum
Democrat Sandy Marks claims victory in the City Council special election (via James Minichello Photography)

Democrat Sandy Marks, the winner of the April 21 City Council special election, will be sworn into office Tuesday, May 12, according to the city.

Marks will get sworn in before City Council at some point during its legislative meeting at the Del Pepper Community Resource Center (4850 Mark Center Drive), the city confirmed to ALXnow. An exact time for the swearing-in ceremony has not been set, although it will be administered by Clerk of Court Greg Parks.

Marks said that the city recently confirmed May 12 for the ceremony, and a city spokesperson said the schedule is still being finalized. She will take office after City Council adopts its Fiscal Year 2027 budget on April 29.

“Will know more soon, when I actually talk to someone,” Marks told ALXnow.

Marks defeated independent candidates Frank Fannon and Alison O’Connell in the special election. The Del Ray resident served as chair of the Alexandria Democratic Committee from 2021 to 2025.

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.