Mason Butler Enters House District 5 Race in Alexandria

Alexandria, VA — Mason Butler has officially entered the race for Virginia’s House of Delegates District 5, becoming the Republican nominee for the seat entirely within the City of Alexandria, which has 18 of the City of Alexandria’s 32 precincts.

“I want to represent Alexandria’s District 5 in the House of Delegates for two main reasons,” Butler told The Zebra. “First, the cost of living has become unaffordable for too many Alexandrians. We need to change the one-way flow of money to Richmond and bring more state resources back home to support infrastructure and affordable housing.”

“Second,” he said, “with Democrats controlling all branches of government in Richmond, it’s no secret that the Commonwealth is moving in a hard-left direction on policy. I want to bring a common-sense approach that supports economic prosperity. I’m running on the Republican ticket because I believe Alexandria benefits from a strong two-party system, which is a cornerstone of our country. As the Alexandria Republican Party continues to grow, voters will have more choices and a broader range of ideas, helping move our politics back toward the middle and bring people together instead of deepening the divisions that pull us apart.”

As first reported earlier today by The Alexandria Brief, the Alexandria Republican City Committee named Butler its nominee after he emerged as the sole applicant, canceling a previously scheduled party canvass. Butler will face the winner of the Democratic firehouse primary in the upcoming special election on February 10.

Butler is not new to Alexandria politics. In 2024, he ran as an Independent candidate for Alexandria City Council in a crowded at-large race. While he did not secure a seat, his campaign raised his profile as a business-minded candidate focused on city finances, public safety, and quality-of-life concerns.

An IT industry executive for more than 30 years, Butler has held leadership roles across the public and private sectors. His career began by writing technology grants for elementary and high schools in rural Kentucky, helping schools secure IT equipment. He later managed business operations for IBM nationwide, led several IT startups, and has worked with the federal government in Washington, D.C., since 2003.

A longtime Alexandrian, Butler has lived in the city for more than a decade and is a 2017 graduate of the Alexandria City Academy. Since 2001, he has served in financial and leadership roles for several education-focused and fraternal organizations. He has also been active in local civic life, including serving as a board member of The Campagna Center and a member of the Alexandria Rotary Club.

In announcing his candidacy for House District 5, Butler said he plans to bring a pragmatic, results-driven approach to Richmond, emphasizing economic growth, strengthening the local tax base, and addressing public safety issues. He has also said he hopes to work across party lines on issues that directly affect Alexandria residents.

The House District 5 seat is entirely within the City of Alexandria and is expected to draw significant attention in the special election, given the city’s political makeup and the timing of the race. Butler will square off against the Democratic nominee selected through a firehouse election process in February.

Butler’s move from an Independent city council run to a Republican nomination for state office marks a notable next step in his political career — and adds another name to an already closely watched local race.

Butler lives in Alexandria with his wife of 10 years, Kristin, and their two dogs, Derby and Lily within House District 5. Outside of work and politics, he spends time with local friends, plays what he describes as less-than-average golf, watches soccer matches, and volunteers in the community.

[Editor’s Note: Mason Butler has been contacted for comment.]