Democratic party | ALXnow

Alexandria mayoral candidates spar on Zoning for Housing, Potomac Yard arena and taxes

Published June 5, 2024 at 2:45PM | Updated June 5, 2024 at 3:06PM

City Council Member Alyia Gaskins speaks at the Chamber ALX mayoral debate at the George Washington National Masonic Memorial, June 4, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

With less than two weeks until the June 18 primary, the city’s zoning overhaul, the failed Potomac Yard arena and residential taxes were among the top issues discussed by Alexandria’s mayoral candidates in the Chamber ALX‘s debate Tuesday night.

Vice Mayor Amy Jackson, Council Member Alyia Gaskins and former real estate developer Steven Peterson were cordial to each other as they were questioned by NBC4 Northern Virginia Bureau Chief Julie Carey at the George Washington National Masonic Memorial.

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After ‘freak accident’ Steven Peterson wants to get off the sidelines in Alexandria mayoral race

By James Cullum

Published May 3, 2024 at 1:30PM | Updated May 3, 2024 at 1:59PM

Alexandria mayoral candidate Steven Peterson with his wife, Martha (Courtesy photo)

After missing an important mayoral debate this week due to a “freak accident” while canvassing that led to his hospitalization, Steven Peterson says that he’s done sitting on the sidelines.

Peterson said that got 10 stitches in his nose and suffered a concussion after his 105-pound Golden Retriever chased a squirrel and he face-planted on a gravel path at the West End Farmer’s Market on Sunday. He said that the leash was wrapped around his legs and that he flipped over after the dog bolted.

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Gaskins soundly wins Alexandria Democratic Committee straw poll, Chapman and McPike tie for top Council spot

By James Cullum

Published April 15, 2024 at 10:45AM | Updated April 16, 2024 at 3:30PM

Alexandria mayoral candidate Alyia Gaskins speaks at the ADC Straw Poll at Port City Brewing Company, April 14, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria mayoral candidate Alyia Gaskins won the Alexandria Democratic Committee’s Straw Poll on Sunday night.

Gasksins defeated Vice Mayor Amy Jackson 117 votes to 23 votes, or 81% to Jackson’s 16%. A third mayoral candidate, Steven Peterson, did not show up for the event, and received 4 votes (3%).

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Here’s a list of upcoming Alexandria mayoral and City Council candidate forums before the primary

By James Cullum

Published April 10, 2024 at 2:30PM | Updated May 7, 2024 at 12:45PM

Voting at Alexandria City Hall (staff photo by James Cullum)

The political season is officially underway in Alexandria, as the three Democrat candidates for mayor will face off in their first forum on Wednesday. There are also a number of forums and meet-and-greets scheduled for the 11 Democrat City Council candidates and lone Republican candidate.

The Democratic and Republican primaries for City Council are on June 18.

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Alexandria mayoral candidate Steven Peterson is a political newcomer and he’s coming out swinging

By James Cullum

Published April 5, 2024 at 10:45AM | Updated April 6, 2024 at 4:39PM

Alexandria mayoral candidate Steven Peterson with his wife, Martha (Courtesy photo)

Steven Peterson is like no other Democrat running for office in Alexandria, and he wants to be the mayor.

From his opinions on racial undertones killing the Potomac Yard arena deal to wanting to reverse a slew of zoning reforms approved last year by City Council, one thing is crystal clear: Peterson is unfiltered.

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Abdel Elnoubi says his Alexandria City Council campaign is a ‘tale of two cities’

By James Cullum

Published April 4, 2024 at 10:45AM | Updated April 5, 2024 at 2:40AM

Alexandria School Board Member Abdel Elnoubi at the George Washington Birthday Parade in Old Town, Feb. 19, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria City Council candidate Abdel Elnoubi has been making legislative waves recently as a member of the School Board, and says residents should expect the same kind of results if he gets elected.

Elnoubi is one of 11 Democrats running to fill six seats on City Council, including four incumbent Council members running for reelection in the Democratic primary on June 18. The field also includes Jacinta Greene, a fellow School Board Member.

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Potomac Yard arena boils down to four issues, says Alexandria mayoral candidate Alyia Gaskins

By James Cullum

Published March 6, 2024 at 2:50PM | Updated March 6, 2024 at 5:39PM

City Council Member Alyia Gaskins kicking off her mayoral campaign at Indochen in Cameron Station, Jan. 28, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

ALXnow will be running a series of City Council candidate interviews through the local election filing deadline on April 4.

The economic potential for the $2 billion Potomac Yard arena deal is maintaining the interest of Alexandria City Council Member Alyia Gaskins.

News

Here’s how Alexandria voted in Super Tuesday’s dual presidential primary

By James Cullum

Published March 6, 2024 at 10:45AM

Voting in Alexandria (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Alexandria voters overwhelmingly chose President Joe Biden and former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley in Super Tuesday’s dual presidential primary, according to unofficial results from the Virginia State Board of Elections.

Biden won the Democratic nomination with 10,079 votes (90.5%), followed by Marianne Williamson with 676 votes (6.1%) and Dean Benson Phillips with 377 votes (3.4%).

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JUST IN: Real estate developer Steven Peterson is running as a democrat for mayor of Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published January 11, 2024 at 3:45PM | Updated April 4, 2024 at 7:43PM

Real estate Developer Steven Peterson is running for mayor, and is pictured here with his wife, Martha (courtesy photo)

Steven Peterson, former president of the Peterson Companies real estate development firm, confirmed to ALXnow today that he is intending to run for mayor of Alexandria as a Democrat in the June 18 primary.

“It is my intention to run as a Democrat for mayor of Alexandria,” Peterson said.

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JUST IN: Two City Council members vie to replace Alexandria Mayor

By Vernon Miles

Published December 4, 2023 at 9:55AM | Updated December 4, 2023 at 10:59AM

(L-R) Alexandria Vice Mayor Amy Jackson, Council member Alyia Gaskins and acting Police Chief Don Hayes at a retirement ceremony for former Alexandria Sheriff Dana Lawhorne, April 5, 2022. (staff photo by James Cullum)

(Updated 10:50 a.m.) With Mayor Justin Wilson announcing last week that he won’t seek reelection, two members of Alexandria’s City Council have tossed their hats into the ring to replace him.

City Council member Alyia Gaskins announced this morning (Monday) that she would be running for mayor.

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ELECTION: Virginia Democrats win big in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published November 8, 2023 at 9:45AM | Updated November 8, 2023 at 4:15PM

U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine (center) with Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker and State Sen. Adam Ebbin outside Pork Barrel BBQ in Del Ray on election night, Nov. 7, 2023 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria Democratic members of the Virginia’s General Assembly were swept back into office on election night.

There were no surprises from the unofficial election returns Tuesday night. Facing no opposition, Democratic incumbents Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker (5th) was reelected to a second term with 21,622 votes, and Del. Charniele Herring (4th) was reelected to her eighth two-year term with 10,368 votes. Del. Alfonso Lopez (D-3rd) was also reelected with 81% (16,837 votes) and defeated independent candidate Major Mike Webb.