Moshenberg Enters City Council Race

Hume Springs resident Sammie Moshenberg (D) is jumping into the Alexandria City Council race because she believes the city is at an important turning point. 

“There are issues before council that could change the character of the city,” she said. “[The Beauregard Small Area Plan] has the possibility of really displacing a number of low-income and moderate-income residents and I don’t particularly want to see Alexandria turn into Ballston.”

Moshenberg, 61, has lived in Alexandria for 29 years. In her time in the city, Moshenberg said she has worked as a civic activist advocating for “affordable housing, low-income housing, access to affordable quality health services and maintaining diversity.” She was also active in a campaign for a living wage in Alexandria.

Moshenberg has a master’s degree in education from Loyola University in Baltimore. She previously worked as a public school teacher and now does policy work for a national nonprofit organization. 

She previously served on the city’s Budget and Fiscal Affairs Advisory Committee and is a founding member of Tenants and Workers United.

She spoke out against the redevelopment of the Mount Vernon Village Center in December at , believing the city didn’t adequately consult surrounding low-income neighborhoods. by a 6-1 vote.

“I was very disappointed in council’s vote on the Arlandria development,” Moshenberg said, adding that she believes the city should pursue “people-centric development” that has to be done with consultation with everyone impacted by a project.

Moshenberg is the 13th Democrat running for council.

On her campaign Facebook page, Moshenberg wrote that she filed for candidacy Wednesday “along with Victoria Menjivar—a friend and sister activist.” Messages left with Menjivar were not immediately returned Thursday afternoon. 

“I think [the number of candidates] shows it’s going to be a lively race,” Moshenberg said. “There’s tremendous concern about the direction of this city. I think it’s always healthy to have a large pool of people.”

Six Democratic nominees will be chosen in a primary election scheduled for June 12. The General Election is Nov. 6.

The deadline for candidates to file for the Democratic primary is 5 p.m. Thursday.

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