Seifeldein Decides Not To Run For Mayor, City Council

ALEXANDRIA, VA — On Monday, Council member Mo Seifeldein announced he will not run for mayor or City Council in 2021.

Seifeldein previously indicated he would run against current Mayor Justin Wilson. In a statement, Seifeldein said he would "continue to mentor students and serve the public in other ways."

Seifeldein thanked his colleagues and the community for the opportunity to serve on City Council. He was elected in November 2018 to serve a three-year term from 2019 to 2021, becoming the first Sudanese immigrant to serve on City Council.

"Each of us has an obligation to contribute to our community in responsible and positive ways," said Seifeldein in a statement. "I have been fortunate in trying to fulfill my obligations to my community as a lawyer and a Councilman. I'd like to believe that I discharged my duties as a Councilman with an unfettered commitment to justice for all of Alexandria's residents. I am hopeful that there have been successes, both symbolic and substantive, that will serve Alexandrians into the future."

A few of the policies Seifeldein has advocated for on City Council include a resolution to start the process of creating a police review board, adding gender identity and transgender status to protected groups in the city code, renaming Columbus Day as Indigenous Peoples' Day, funding to provide legal services for undocumented immigrants facing deportation, helping public transportation workers unionize and pushing for alternatives to the Northern Virginia Juvenile Detention Center.

"I have dedicated my life to securing and fostering an environment where voiceless and overlooked segments of our population can find justice," Seifeldein said. "My pursuit of justice has been fueled by the injustice I observed and experienced as a child."

Two other council members aren't running for re-election. Longtime Council member Del Pepper is not seeking reelection, and Vice Mayor Elizabeth Bennett-Parker is running for the House of Delegates in the 45 District.

Incumbent Council members John Taylor Chapman, Amy Jackson and Canek Aguirre are running for reelection. According to campaign filings posted in the city's website, newcomer candidates include Sarah Bagley, Abdel-Rahman Elnoubi, Alyia Gaskins, James Lewis and Kirk McPike.

Alexandria's primary election is scheduled for June 8, 2021 and the general election for Nov. 2, 2021.