Democratic party

Va. voters approve three constitutional amendments as Alexandria support outpaces statewide margins

Published November 4, 2026 at 11:45AM

The Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Central Library on Election Day, Nov. 3, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Unofficial election results on Tuesday (Nov. 3) showed a majority of voters approved three Virginia constitutional amendments, and Alexandria’s percentages exceeded the state margins for all three.

The three constitutional amendments regarding reproductive rights, same-sex marriage and voting rights for former felons passed with a majority of votes, according to unofficial results from the Virginia Department of Elections. The passage of all three amendments came amid a blue wave in the congressional midterms, allowing Democrats to retake control of the U.S. House and Senate.

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Rep. Don Beyer wins nomination in 8th Congressional District Democratic primary

By Emily Leayman

Published August 4, 2026 at 8:35PM | Updated August 5, 2026 at 10:08AM

U.S. Rep. Don Beyer (D-8th) speaks at the Alexandria Democratic Committee’s Labor Day Picnic at The Garden Alexandria, 5380 Eisenhower Avenue, Sept. 1, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Rep. Don Beyer has earned the Democratic nomination for the 8th Congressional District in Tuesday’s primary election.

The congressman, who is seeking his seventh term, defeated four challengers — former Alexandria City Council Member Mo Seifeldein, fired State Department worker Michael Duffin, veteran and former CIA officer Adam Dunigan and military family advocate Lorena Bruner. The Associated Press called the race at 7:34 p.m. after polls closed.

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Alexandria gears up for 2026 congressional primary elections Tuesday

By Emily Leayman

Published August 3, 2026 at 1:45PM | Updated August 5, 2026 at 10:10AM

Voting at Charles Houston Recreation Center in Old Town on Election Day, Nov. 5, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria voters are headed to the polls Tuesday (Aug. 4) to cast their votes in Democratic and Republican primaries, which will determine nominees for the 2026 midterms.

Polls will be open between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. Tuesday. Voters are not registered by party in Virginia, so they can choose to vote in either the Democratic or Republican primary. As of Aug. 1, Alexandria has over 117,000 registered voters.

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Democratic early votes far outpace Republican turnout in Alexandria primaries

By Emily Leayman

Published July 21, 2026 at 9:15AM

A voting sign at the Alexandria Registrar of Voters, 132 N. Royal Street, in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

Early voters participating in the Democratic primary are far outnumbering those in the Republican primary, according to data from the Alexandria Office of Voter Registration and Elections.

Thousands of votes have been cast in about a month of early voting for the Aug. 4 primary elections.

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Alexandria Mayor Gaskins chosen for network of rising Democratic leaders

By James Cullum

Published July 16, 2026 at 3:45PM

Mayor Alyia Gaskins speaks at Alexandria’s 277th birthday celebration at Oronoco Bay Park, July 11, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Mayor Alyia Gaskins has been chosen to join 21 other rising Democratic state and local leaders from around the country to trade ideas on local governance.

Gaskins is joining NewDEAL (Developing Exceptional American Leaders), a network of center-left elected officials, for a year. The mayor will participate in virtual webinars to share ideas and discuss challenges such as rising costs, housing, energy and childcare. She will also take part in the NewDEAL Annual Conference from Nov. 18-20 in D.C.

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Seifeldein spars with Beyer at candidate forum as congressional primary approaches

By Scott McCaffrey

Published July 6, 2026 at 1:45PM

Candidate Mo Seifeldein, with Rep. Don Beyer in background (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

A former Alexandria City Council member used a candidate forum to rip into Rep. Don Beyer (D-8th) as the Democratic congressional primary draws closer and heats up.

At the Arlington County Democratic Committee’s candidate forum on July 1, Mo Seifeldein went after Beyer on campaign finances and banking reform. Seifeldein also said the incumbent “hasn’t pushed back” on the Trump administration or Republicans in Congress.

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8th Congressional District candidate forum set for next week in Alexandria

By Emily Leayman

Published July 1, 2026 at 2:45PM

Shiloh Baptist Church and the NAACP Alexandria Branch will host a candidate forum for the 8th Congressional District race on July 9, 2026 (via Shiloh Baptist Church)

Candidates for the 8th Congressional District will gather in Alexandria for a candidate forum next week.

Shiloh Baptist Church and the NAACP Alexandria Branch will host the candidate forum at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 9 in the Shiloh Baptist Church Worship Center (1401 Jamieson Avenue). Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.

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‘Ridiculous,’ Mayor Gaskins calls GOP bill to return Alexandria and Arlington to D.C.

By James Cullum

Published April 27, 2026 at 1:45PM

A sailboat on the Potomac River (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins is calling a congressional bill to make Alexandria and Arlington part of D.C. “silliness,” “ridiculous,” and a “huge distraction.”

In a recent Facebook post, Gaskins said U.S. Rep. Rich McCormick’s (R-Ga.) Make DC Square Again Act would upend the rights of residents in both jurisdictions. McCormick introduced the bill after the narrow passage of a statewide redistricting referendum on April 21, which gives Democrats the power to redraw congressional district maps for the 2026 midterm elections.

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Democratic City Council candidate Sandy Marks lays out stakes in upcoming special election

By James Cullum

Published March 2, 2026 at 1:00PM

Sandy Marks, the Democratic nominee for the open City Council seat, at St. Elmo's Coffee Pub in Del Ray (staff photo by James Cullum)

Fresh from her recent Democratic firehouse primary win, City Council candidate Sandy Marks says there’s a lot on the line in the upcoming special election.

Marks is facing independent candidates Frank Fannon and Alison O’Connell in the race, which is slated to coincide with a proposed constitutional amendment to redraw Virginia’s congressional districts.

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Republican Gerry Chandler named nominee for City Council after Alexandria GOP cancels canvas

By James Cullum

Published February 24, 2026 at 3:00PM

Voting at Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Central Library in Alexandria's West End, Nov. 5, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Republican Gerry Chandler intends to enter the April 21 race for City Council, the Alexandria Republican City Committee has announced.

Chandler is slated to run against Democrat Sandy Marks and independent candidate Frank Fannon in the upcoming special election to replace former Councilman-turned-Delegate R. Kirk McPike. Candidates have until 5 p.m. Friday to submit paperwork to the General Registrar to appear on the ballot.

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JUST IN: Elizabeth Bennett-Parker wins decisive victory in special election for State Senate

By Katie Taranto and James Cullum

Published February 10, 2026 at 9:30PM

State Sen.-elect Elizabeth Bennett-Parker (D-39) speaks to supporters on the night of her special election, Feb. 10, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker (D-5) is getting a promotion in Richmond.

Voters in today’s special election gave the Democrat a sweeping victory against Republican Julie Robben Lineberry for a seat in the State Senate. The outgoing delegate received a decisive 83% of the vote, setting her up to succeed Sen. Adam Ebbin as he joins Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s administration.