Alexandria Mayoral Debate Planned By Del Ray Business Association

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson and former Alexandria Mayor Allison Silberberg will participate in a debate hosted by the Del Ray Business Association on May 12.

The debate will happen from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. through Zoom. It will be moderated by NBC News 4 Northern Virginia Bureau Chief Julie Carey, who has covered the region since 1992. Carey has moderated debates for local elections around the region, including the 2018 mayoral debate hosted by the Del Ray Business Association.

"We look forward to a wide-ranging discussion about the future of our City — including how we help our small businesses rebuild and thrive after the pandemic," said Del Ray Business Association President Lauren Fisher in a statement. "There are few Alexandria residents who know the challenges facing our City better than Julie Carey. We're thrilled that she'll lead this important debate."

The debate will be available at visitdelray.com, Facebook Live at www.facebook.com/VisitDelRay, and the Del Ray Business Association's YouTube.

The Del Ray Business Association will also host a virtual forum with Alexandria City Council candidates on May 17 from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Recordings of the mayoral and City Council events will be shared on visitdelray.com.

Wilson and Silberberg are running for mayor in the Democratic primary on June 8. Silberberg, who was mayor from 2016 to 2018, decided to join the race after no candidates came forward to challenge Wilson in the primary. Wilson had defeated Silberberg in the 2018 Democratic primary.

Other elections slated for 2021 are Alexandria City Council, Alexandria School Board, governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, and House of Delegates. The Republican Party is hosting a drive-up convention in place of a primary to select candidates, and Democratic primaries will be held for races with multiple candidates.

Absentee voting for the June 8 primary will begin on April 23. The voter registration deadline for that election will be May 17. Residents can check their voter registration status and update their information at vote.elections.virginia.gov. The general election will be held on Nov. 2.