Alexandria Election Guide

As we look ahead to November’s elections, Old Town Alexandria Patch and Del Ray Patch are 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 in the money chase.

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

U.S. Senate 

George Allen: Former Gov. George Allen , in which he beat out E.W. Jackson, Del.  and  for the nomination with 66 percent of the vote. And it looks like Allen will have help in his corner; , 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: will have a close race with his fellow former governor and opponent George Allen. Both candidates are well-funded and close in the polls. 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 

: 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 and will face J. Patrick Murray, an opponent he defeated soundly two years ago, this November.

: 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

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. who believes that a lack of independents in the House of Representatives creates “gridlock.”

Alexandria Mayor, City Council and School Board

, a Democrat, is seeking a fourth term in the office. , 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 and , former councilmembers  and , and first-time candidates and . Lovain was the leading vote-getter among 14 candidates in .

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

Independents and and Libertarian Robert Kraus are also on the ballot this year.

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

District A candidate on July 11, a day after . 

District B candidate on Aug. 10 citing family health issues.