R. Kirk McPike

Gov. Spanberger and AG Jones slam Trump election interventions at Alexandria NAACP event

Published October 2, 2026 at 2:45PM | Updated October 2, 2026 at 3:09PM

Gov. Abigail Spanberger at the Alexandria NAACP’s annual Freedom Fund Dinner on Thursday night (Oct. 1) at The Satire, Autograph Collection hotel in Old Town North. (staff photo by James Cullum)

Governor Abigail Spanberger (D) heavily criticized President Donald Trump on Thursday night in Alexandria and said that his administration’s attempts to upend voter registrations across the country won’t work in Virginia.

Spanberger was the keynote speaker at the Alexandria branch of the NAACP’s annual Freedom Fund Dinner, held at The Satire, Autograph Collection hotel in Old Town North. Spanberger, Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones (D) and Mayor Alyia Gaskins (D) all received “breaking barriers” awards from the organization.

News

EXCLUSIVE: Gov. Abigail Spanberger tours Alexandria nonprofit Cornerstone Craftsman

By James Cullum

Published September 15, 2026 at 2:45PM | Updated September 15, 2026 at 3:02PM

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger shakes hands with Cornerstone Craftsman pre-apprentices, Sept. 15, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger (D) got a firsthand look at Alexandria-based nonprofit Cornerstone Craftsman Tuesday morning (Sept. 15).

Spanberger made expanding workforce programs for children a part of her Growing Virginia Plan when she ran for governor. She toured the space and met with Cornerstone Craftsman’s stakeholders, including Alexandria Sheriff Sean Casey, Alexandria City School Board Chair Chris Harris and Clark Mercer, chair of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.

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Bennett-Parker, McPike rally in Arlandria to restore voting rights to former felons

By James Cullum

Published September 8, 2026 at 3:45PM

State Sen. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker (D-39) speaks at Tenants and Workers United about changing the state constitution to establish a permanent, automatic process to restore voting rights to individuals with past felony convictions, Sept. 8, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

State legislators representing Alexandria called on constituents today (Sept. 8) to support a referendum to restore voting rights to former felons.

In the city’s Arlandria neighborhood, state Sen. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker (D-39) was flanked by Del. R. Kirk McPike (D-5) and nonprofit leaders joining Virginians for the Right to Vote in asking for support for her constitutional amendment to automatically restore voting rights for former felons without having to make a request to the governor.

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From Capitol Hill to Richmond: Inside the political reset of Alexandria Del. R. Kirk McPike

By James Cullum

Published July 10, 2026 at 3:45PM

Del. R. Kirk McPike in Del Ray (staff photo by James Cullum)

After climbing through Alexandria’s political spheres, it’s almost as if R. Kirk McPike is starting over.

The new 5th House District delegate to Virginia’s General Assembly resigned his seat on the Alexandria City Council just before winning a special election in February to fill the seat vacated by now-state Sen. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker (D-39). In order to comply with state law, the Democrat also had to quit his full-time job as chief of staff to U.S. Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA).

Around Town

PHOTOS: Alexandria celebrates Pride Fair at new John Carlyle Square location

By James Cullum

Published June 29, 2026 at 11:45AM

Alexandria’s ninth annual Pride Fair was held at John Carlyle Square Park, June 27, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

In recognition of Pride Month, Alexandria leaders joined hundreds of visitors in celebrating the city’s annual LGBTQIA+ Pride Fair on Saturday (June 27).

With City Hall in Old Town under renovation, this was the first time that the Pride fair was held at John Carlyle Square (300 John Carlyle Street). Dozens of vendors lined the park for the event, which was hosted by the city, the Del Ray Community Partnership, Inova Pride Clinic, Kindred Tree Healing Center and VEG ER for Pets.

Around Town

Del Ray’s newest restaurant Little Birdie takes flight on Mount Vernon Avenue

By James Cullum

Published June 23, 2026 at 11:55AM

The ribbon cutting at Little Birdie at 1504B Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray, June 23, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria leaders were on hand Tuesday morning to cut the ribbon at Del Ray’s newest restaurant, Little Birdie.

After months of interior renovations, Matt Sloan and Eric Brannon opened the doors to their newest venture at 1504B Mount Vernon Avenue. Brannon and Sloan also own Matt & Tony’s All Day Kitchen + Bar (1501 Mount Vernon Avenue), which opened in 2022 across the street and is a finalist for a regional RAMMY Award. Sloan is a former managing partner of Alexandria Restaurant Partners, which owns The Majestic, Mia’s Italian Kitchen, Ada’s on the River and numerous other Alexandria restaurants.

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Alexandria Del. McPike helps lead campaign to repeal same-sex marriage ban in Va. Constitution

By James Cullum

Published June 2, 2026 at 2:45PM

City Council Member R. Kirk McPike speaks at Alexandria’s 8th Annual Pride Fair at Market Square on Saturday, June 28, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Five months ahead of a statewide referendum to repeal an unenforceable ban on same-sex marriage in Virginia, Alexandria Del. R. Kirk McPike (D-5) has been named the co-chair of a campaign to amend the Constitution of Virginia.

McPike, who is in a same-sex marriage, helped launch the Virginians for Marriage Equality campaign in Richmond on Monday (June 1) for the first day of Pride Month. McPike told ALXnow that the campaign will be visible and looking for volunteers to sign up at community Pride events this month across the Commonwealth.

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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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Alexandria City Council candidates face two forums this week as special election nears

By James Cullum

Published April 6, 2026 at 3:45PM

(Left to right) City Council candidates Alison O'Connell, Frank Fannon and Sandy Marks at the West End Business Association's forum at Feru Bar and Restaurant, March 25, 2026 (via Sandy Marks for the City/Facebook)

The three candidates running for an open seat on Alexandria City Council will meet in two forums this week.

For most voters, the upcoming appearances on Wednesday (April 8) and Saturday (April 11) are the last opportunity to see the candidates together before the special election on Tuesday, April 21. The candidates, who last appeared together at a forum on March 26, are Democratic candidate Sandy Marks and independent candidates Alison O’Connell and Frank Fannon.

News

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.

News

JUST IN: R. Kirk McPike wins special election in landslide for House of Delegates seat

By Katie Taranto and James Cullum

Published February 10, 2026 at 9:25PM

R. Kirk McPike reacts to his House of Delegates victory at Pork Barrel BBQ on Feb. 10, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

R. Kirk McPike is trading in Alexandria City Council dockets for a newly-won seat in the House of Delegates, following today’s special election.

Alexandria’s outgoing councilman received 81.5% of the vote in a decisive win against Republican candidate Mason Butler to secure a seat in the House of Delegates. The win means McPike will fulfill the 5th District post of Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker, who voters concurrently elected to outgoing State Sen. Adam Ebbin’s 39th District seat tonight.