Alexandria Election Guide

As we look ahead to November’s elections, Patch is devoted to bringing you the information you need about every race in town. Here's our start on the candidates and issues we'll be covering as November draws near. Bookmark this page for updates.

U.S. President

President Barack Obama: The president will try to repeat his 2008 victory in the Old Dominion. Though it's an uphill climb, Obama is leading his likely GOP opponent Mitt Romney in the money chase.

GOP Presidential Nominee Mitt Romney: Former Massachusetts Governor and presumptive GOP Presidential Nominee Mitt Romney appeared in Reston in February to campaign and speak on the country’s struggling economy. 

U.S. Senate 

George Allen: Former Gov. George Allen is fresh off Tuesday’s GOP Primary victory, in which he beat out E.W. Jackson, Del. R.G. “Bob” Marshall and Jamie Radtke for the nomination with 66 percent of the vote. And it looks like Allen will have help in his corner; Florida Sen. Marco Rubio stopped by Arlington Thursday to publically endorse Allen, telling Virginians that Allen’s vote in the Senate could be a deciding factor in passing tax reforms and more. During a visit to AOL’s Dulles campus in May, Allen said he was in favor of offshore drilling and expanding Dulles Metrorail into Loudoun County. 

Tim Kaine: Former Gov. and Democratic National Committee Chairman Tim Kaine will have a close race with his fellow former governor and opponent George Allen. Both candidates are well-funded and close in the polls. Kaine has told Patch he believes cancelling George W. Bush’s tax cuts for the rich is one of many steps toward removing the “red ink” in Washington. Kaine has noted that helpful budget surpluses vanished while Allen was in the Senate from 2001 to 2007.

8th Congressional District 

Jim Moran: Incumbent U.S. Rep. Jim Moran is currently serving his 11th term representing Virginia’s 8th Congressional District. Moran took more than two thirds of the vote in the June 2012 Democratic Primary against political newcomer Bruce Shuttleworth and will face J. Patrick Murray, an opponent he defeated soundly two years ago, this November.

Patrick Murray: Retired U.S. Army Col. Patrick Murray, an Alexandria Republican, is seeking to represent the 8th Congressional District—despite an unsuccessful bid to unseat incumbent Rep. Jim Moran two years ago that cost $1.3 million. In announcing his bid, Murray criticized Moran for not doing enough to curb spending or ease gridlock and for being "hyper-partisan."

Jason Howell: Arlington native Jason Howell has no previous political experience, but that’s not stopping him from running as an independent for the 8th Congressional District seat. Howell is a published author and motivational speaker who believes that a lack of independents in the House of Representatives creates “gridlock.”

Alexandria Mayor, City Council and School Board

Alexandria Mayor Bill Euille, a Democrat, is seeking a fourth term in the office. Andrew Macdonald, an independent, is his challenger. Macdonald was elected to City Council in 2003 and 2006 as a Democrat.

In the Alexandria City Council race, the Democrats are running a full slate of six candidates—incumbents Del Pepper and Paul Smedberg, former councilmembers Tim Lovain and Justin Wilson, and first-time candidates John Chapman and Allison Silberberg. Lovain was the leading vote-getter among 14 candidates in the June 12 Democratic primary.

Three Republican candidates—incumbents Frank Fannon and Alicia Hughes and newcomer Bob Wood—will join the six Democrats on the ballot. Hughes was elected in 2009 as an independent.

Independents Glenda Davis and Jermaine Mincey and Libertarian Robert Kraus are also on the ballot this year.

Check out links to all the mayoral and council candidate websites.

Sixteen candidates entered the race for Alexandria School Board in three districts by the June 12 deadline. The field includes just one incumbent in each district.

District A candidate Scott Gordon dropped out of the race on July 11, a day after Patch revealed he lied about holding a PhD. 

District B candidate Chris Yianilos withdrew his candidacy on Aug. 10 citing family health issues.

Check out links to all the school board candidate websites.