Wilson, 6 City Council Candidates Win Alexandria Dems Straw Poll

ALEXANDRIA, VA — On Monday, Mayor Justin Wilson and six candidates won a straw poll held by the Alexandria Democratic Committee on Zoom.

The straw poll provided a virtual opportunity for residents to hear from candidates and informally vote for their favorite mayoral candidate and six favorite City Council candidates. Each candidate had four minutes to speak. After candidates' statements, residents who registered for the straw poll received an email link to vote for candidates.

As stated by the Alexandria Democratic Committee, the poll is not scientific, and the committee does not endorse candidates in the June 8 Democratic primary election. According to Alexandria Democratic Committee chair Clarence Tong, over 500 participants registered for the straw poll.

Below are the results:

Mayor

• Justin Wilson: 226 votes, 56.2 percent
• Allison Silberberg: 176 votes, 43.8 percent
• Total votes: 402
• Abstentions: 19

City Council

• Alyia Gaskins: 272 votes, 14.1 percent
• John Taylor Chapman: 269 votes, 14 percent
• Canek Aguirre: 227 votes, 11.8 percent
• R. Kirk McPike: 183 votes, 9.5 percent
• Amy Jackson: 182 votes, 9.5 percent
• Sarah R. Bagley: 166 votes, 8.5 percent
• James C. Lewis, Jr.: 107 votes, 5.6 percent
• Meronne E. Teklu: 107 votes, 5.6 percent
• William "Bill" Rossello: 104 votes, 5.4 percent
• Kevin Harris: 102 votes, 5.3 percent
• William E. "Bill" Campbell: 72 votes, 3.7 percent
• Mark Leo Shiffer: 70 votes, 3.6 percent
• Patrick B. Moran: 62 votes, 3.2 percent

Aside from the mayoral and City Council elections, other elections in 2021 will include Alexandria sheriff, Alexandria School Board, Commonwealth's Attorney, governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, and House of Delegates. Democratic primaries will be held for positions with multiple candidates, while the Republican Party of Virginia is hosting a drive-up convention in place of a primary to select candidates.

Candidates running unopposed are Del. Charniele Herring in the 46th House District, Sean Casey for sheriff, and Commonwealth's Attorney Bryan Porter. Candidates running for the 45th House District are Del. Mark Levine and Elizabeth Bennett-Parker, the current vice mayor.

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

SEE ALSO: Alexandria Mayoral Debate Planned By Del Ray Business Association