Don Beyer | ALXnow

Alexandria congressional candidate weighs in on federal firings in ‘Daily Show’ segment

Published June 18, 2026 at 9:15AM

Michael Duffin is running for Virginia’s 8th Congressional District seat (via Michael Duffin for Congress)

Michael Duffin, a fired State Department worker from Alexandria who is running for Congress, appeared on “The Daily Show” Tuesday to discuss federal workforce reductions by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

Duffin, who lives in the West End with his wife and two children, was one of more than 1,300 federal workers fired by the State Department in July 2025. The Democrat running in the 8th Congressional District joined Maryland congressional candidates Alexis Goldstein and Tracy Starr and New York candidate Alissa Ellman in “The Daily Show” segment on fired federal workers’ campaigns.

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Early voting to begin this week for August congressional primaries in Alexandria

By Emily Leayman

Published June 16, 2026 at 11:45AM | Updated June 16, 2026 at 12:14PM

Charles Houston Recreation Center on Election Day, April 21, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Early voting is set to begin Thursday, June 18 for 2026 congressional primary elections in Alexandria, according to the city’s Office of Voter Registration and Elections.

The elections on Aug. 4 will include a Democratic primary for U.S. House of Representatives in the 8th Congressional District and a Republican primary to decide who will run against Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) for U.S. Senate. Virginia voters are not registered by party, so they can vote in either the Democratic or Republican primary.

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Numerous Alexandria officials endorse Rep. Don Beyer’s reelection bid

By Emily Leayman

Published May 19, 2026 at 9:15AM

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)

Numerous Alexandria elected officials have thrown their support behind Rep. Don Beyer (D-8) in his reelection bid, his campaign announced Monday (May 18).

The endorsements include Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins; Vice Mayor Sarah Bagley; City Council Members Canek Aguirre, John Chapman, Jacinta Greene, and Sandy Marks; Commonwealth’s Attorney Bryan Porter; Clerk of Court Greg Parks; Sheriff Sean Casey; School Board Chair Michelle Rief; School Board Vice Chair Christopher Harris; and School Board Members Abdulahi Abdalla, Tim Beaty, Kelly Carmichael Booz, Alexander Crider Scioscia, Donna Kenley, Ashley Simpson Baird, and Ryan Reyna. Former Mayors Bill Euille, Allison Silberberg and Justin Wilson also endorsed Beyer.

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Alexandria NAACP, elected officials slam Virginia Supreme Court’s redistricting ruling

By Emily Leayman and The Associated Press

Published May 11, 2026 at 1:45PM

Signs supporting and opposing redistricting on April 6, 2026 in Old Town Alexandria (staff photo by James Cullum)

Elected officials representing Alexandria have joined the Alexandria NAACP in condemning the Virginia Supreme Court’s overturning of the redistricting referendum.

Voters had narrowly approved the referendum to redraw Virginia’s congressional districts — with 51.69% in favor — on April 21. The Virginia Supreme Court struck down the voter-approved constitutional amendment in a 4-3 ruling Friday (May 8), with the majority citing procedural violations in how the amendment was placed on the ballot.

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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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Virginia redistricting amendment passes narrowly, but legal challenges remain

By Emily Leayman and The Associated Press

Published April 22, 2026 at 11:45AM

Signs supporting and opposing redistricting on April 6, 2026 in Old Town Alexandria (staff photo by James Cullum)

The redistricting amendment passed in Virginia Tuesday will allow Democrats to pursue redrawn congressional district maps for the 2026 midterm elections.

The Associated Press called the race in favor of the redistricting amendment’s passage at 8:49 p.m. Tuesday. According to unofficial results from the Virginia Department of Elections, more than 1.5 million votes (51.45%) supported the amendment and more than 1.4 million (48.6%) opposed.

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Rep. Don Beyer’s staff hosting constituent services event in Del Ray tomorrow

By James Cullum

Published October 29, 2025 at 1:00PM | Updated October 29, 2025 at 4:32PM

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)

The staff of Alexandria Congressman Don Beyer, D-Va., are hosting an event tomorrow (Thursday) to discuss his office’s constituent services.

Beyer’s staff will host the “Congress in our Community” from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the James M. Duncan Branch Library at 2501 Commonwealth Avenue. No appointment is necessary to attend, Beyer said in a note to the Del Ray Citizens Association.

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PHOTOS: Market Square packed at ‘No Kings’ protest in Old Town

By James Cullum

Published October 18, 2025 at 7:32PM

The No Kings Rally at Market Square in Old Town, Oct. 18, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

An audience of thousands held signs and cheered as Alexandria leaders decried the Trump administration at the second No Kings rally outside City Hall on Saturday.

The first No Kings rally was held in June, albeit against a different backdrop of issues. Today’s event was held amid a shuttered federal government, increased crackdowns from U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement, and federal troops occupying cities across the country. The speakers today in Alexandria included U.S. Rep. Don Beyer (D-8th), Mayor Alyia Gaskins, retired general Randy Mannor and Del. Alfonso Lopez (D-3rd), all of whom railed against the administration, joining more than 2,700 similar demonstrations around the country.

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PHOTOS: Thousands attend the 30th annual Art on the Avenue in Del Ray

By James Cullum

Published October 4, 2025 at 5:32PM

As seen at Art on the Avenue in Del Ray, Oct. 4, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria’s Del Ray neighborhood was packed with art lovers for the 30th annual Art on the Avenue festival in Del Ray on Saturday (Oct. 4).

Hundreds of juried artists sold their work, live music was performed on four stages and the event and its founder Pat Miller were recognized by Alexandria Congressman Don Beyer (D-8th), Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker (D-5th) and Vice Mayor Sarah Bagley.

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Fired State Department official from Alexandria enters 8th Congressional District race

By Ryan Belmore

Published October 1, 2025 at 6:00PM | Updated October 1, 2025 at 6:37PM

Michael Duffin is running for Virginia's 8th Congressional District (via Micahel Duffin on Facebook)

Michael Duffin, a former State Department official who was terminated in July, announced on Wednesday his campaign for the Democratic nomination in Virginia’s 8th Congressional District, joining a growing primary field that includes a former Alexandria city councilman.

Duffin announced his candidacy early Wednesday morning on LinkedIn before making a formal campaign announcement later in the day, according to Patch.

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Beyer to host financial guidance event for federal workers amid agency layoffs

By Ryan Belmore

Published September 14, 2025 at 6:45AM

Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) invites constituents to a financial guidance workshop for federal workers in a video posted to YouTube. The free event will be held Sept. 20 in Falls Church. (Screenshot)

Rep. Don Beyer will host a financial guidance workshop for current and former federal workers on Sept. 20, as his Northern Virginia district grapples with reported mass layoffs across federal agencies under the Trump administration.

The free event, scheduled from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Paragon Theaters on Founders Avenue in Falls Church, is part of Beyer’s “Rising to Meet the Challenge” series aimed at supporting constituents affected by current federal policies.