Sandy Marks | ALXnow

Charles Sumpter announces campaign for City Council following bid for State Senate

Published February 4, 2026 at 3:45PM | Updated February 4, 2026 at 5:10PM

Charles Sumpter (via Charles Sumpter/Facebook)

Charles Sumpter is entering the special election race for Alexandria City Council after participating in last month’s Democratic firehouse primary, where he lost competing for a State Senate seat in the 39th District.

Sumpter, 40, is a senior executive at World Wildlife Fund and helped found Safe Space NOVA, where he served as a member of the board. He has updated his campaign website, though his platform of issues has stayed the same: affordable housing, community-based mental health care and expanding workforce pathways for students.

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Cesar Madison Tapia, a social studies teacher and political TikToker, joins City Council race

By James Cullum

Published February 2, 2026 at 9:30AM

Cesar Madison Tapia is running for the Alexandria City Council (courtesy photo, via Cesar Madison Tapia/Instagram)

Cesar Madison Tapia, a D.C. middle school teacher with viral political videos on TikTok, is running for Alexandria City Council.

Madison Tapia announced his candidacy on Friday on Instagram, and he had planned to discuss it during the Alexandria Democratic Committee’s now-canceled meeting tonight (Monday). The 26-year-old candidate teaches social studies at MacFarland Middle School in D.C. and has made hundreds of TikToks discussing politics and criticizing the Trump administration.

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Alexandria Democrats schedule Feb. 21 firehouse primary for City Council

By James Cullum

Published January 31, 2026 at 2:13PM

'I voted' stickers on Election Day in Alexandria, Nov. 5, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria Democrats will conduct a firehouse primary for an open seat on City Council on Saturday, Feb. 21.

The Alexandria Democratic Committee announced the primary date today (Saturday) on its website. Polls will be open from 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m. at Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Central Library (5005 Duke Street) and the Leonard “Chick” Armstrong Recreation Center (25 W. Reed Avenue).

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Nonprofit leader Roberto Gomez joins race for open seat on City Council

By James Cullum

Published January 30, 2026 at 1:00PM

Cornerstone Craftsman Executive Director Roberto Gomez is launching a campaign for Alexandria City Council (courtesy photo)

Roberto Gomez, executive director of nonprofit Cornerstone Craftsman, will soon launch a special election campaign for an open seat on City Council.

Gomez plans to formally announce his candidacy at the Alexandria Democratic Committee’s meeting on Monday, he told ALXnow. The 38-year-old longtime West End resident said he is prepared to outwork opponents and can relate to the city’s underserved constituencies.

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Former ADC Chair Sandy Marks announces special election run for City Council

By James Cullum

Published January 24, 2026 at 4:00PM | Updated January 24, 2026 at 6:36PM

Alexandria Democratic Committee Chair Sandy Marks (center) at the City Council installation at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center, Jan. 2, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Former Alexandria Democratic Committee chair Sandy Marks is running for City Council, she announced this afternoon (Saturday).

As the first candidate to throw their hat into the ring, Marks’ campaign relies on Democratic City Councilman R. Kirk McPike winning his upcoming special election against Republican Mason Butler for Virginia’s 5th House District seat on Feb. 10.

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Sandy Marks, chair of the Alexandria Democratic Committee, won’t seek reelection

By James Cullum

Published November 5, 2025 at 3:45PM | Updated November 5, 2025 at 6:24PM

ADC Chair Sandy Marks speaks at the No Kings Rally at Market Square in Old Town, June 14, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

The day after Election Day, Sandy Marks said she felt good, satisfied and tired.

It’s been nearly four years since Marks was elected chair of the Alexandria Democratic Committee. After working for months to get Alexandria’s politicians reelected and help secure last night’s statewide Democratic wins, Marks is riding off into the proverbial sunset by stepping down and not seeking a third two-year term.

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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.