Andrew Macdonald Announces Mayoral Candidacy

Andrew Macdonald, a former Alexandria vice mayor, announced Friday that he will challenge Mayor Bill Euille in November’s election as an independent candidate.

Macdonald announced his decision on WAMU’s Kojo Nnamdi Show.

“Yes, I am going to challenge Mayor Bill Euille in the upcoming November race,” Macdonald said. “I think we need to find a way to bring Alexandrians together. It’s been a very divisive atmosphere in Alexandria. I just don’t see working in the party as the way to do it at the moment.”

Macdonald was elected to City Council in 2003 and 2006 as a Democrat, taking the most votes among candidates in the 2006 race and earning the title of vice mayor. He resigned 18 months into his second term for personal reasons.

In the last year, Macdonald has emerged as one of the leading voices in opposition to waterfront redevelopment in the city. He is a cofounder of Citizens for an Alternative Alexandria Waterfront Plan.

City Council approved a waterfront redevelopment plan in February, but not a rezoning amendment because it remains tied up in legal issues.

Alexandria Democratic Committee Chairman Dak Hardwick confirmed Friday on The Kojo Nnamdi Show that . Macdonald renewed his membership with the party in December and was part of a recent email chain among ADC members considering running for office, Hardwick said.

“There’s just a general feeling in Alexandria, and I certainly feel that way, that the current Democratic majority on council effectively dismissed a great deal of public input and involvement in a number of very important issues,” Macdonald said. “So for me [my resignation from the ADC], was really a symbolic gesture as much as anything.”

Later in the interview, Macdonald said he has “always had a pretty difficult time within the confines of the Democratic party” in part because of the way party members “have tried to shut down public conversation” in the city. He also said he felt the political structure in Alexandria “really needs a shake-up.”

On March 1, that he was seriously considering running against Euille as an independent and asked for the committee’s support.

On Friday, a listener asked Macdonald why he left office in 2008 and if he’d do it again.

“It was a very different time and I certainly will not leave if elected,” Macdonald replied.