Alexandria City Council Candidate Debate Tonight at Departmental Progressive Club

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Voters will have another opportunity tonight to hear directly from candidates in the Alexandria City Council candidate debate, scheduled for 7:00–9:00 p.m. at the Departmental Progressive Club, 411 Gibbon Street in Old Town.

There is plenty of parking available at and around the venue.

The forum comes at a critical moment, as Alexandria prepares for a firehouse primary and a special election to fill an open City Council seat.

Why the Alexandria City Council Election Is Happening

This special election was triggered by a chain of leadership changes at the state and local level.

• Former State Senator Adam Ebbin accepted a position in the Governor’s administration, creating a vacancy in Virginia Senate District 39.

• Delegate Elizabeth Bennett-Parker ran for and won that Senate seat.

• Alexandria City Council member Kirk McPike then ran for and won Bennett-Parker’s former House District 5 seat in a February 10 special election.

McPike’s victory created the current vacancy on Alexandria City Council — the seat now at the center of this special election process.

Tonight’s Alexandria City Council candidate debate gives voters a chance to hear from those seeking to fill that open seat.

The Candidates

The five Democratic candidates who participated in Monday night’s Del Ray debate are expected to appear again tonight:

• Sandy Marks — Former Chair of the Alexandria Democratic Committee, emphasizing experienced leadership and readiness to step in immediately.

• Tim Laderach — Attorney, pharmacist, U.S. Navy Reservist, and former Del Ray Citizens Association president, focusing on economic mobility and community stability.

• Roberto Gomez — Founder and Executive Director of Cornerstone Craftsman, highlighting affordability, public safety, and workforce education.

• Charles Sumpter — Senior executive and civic leader, prioritizing affordable housing, mental health access, and student career pathways.

• Cesar Madison Tapia — Public school teacher and political content creator, advocating for renter protections, housing stability, and childcare solutions.

Independent candidate Frank Fannon, a former Alexandria City Council member, has also been invited to participate.

Voting Information and Key Dates

Alexandria Democrats will hold a firehouse primary on Saturday, February 21, 2026, to select their nominee for the City Council seat.

• Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

• Participation rules follow Democratic Party guidelines.

The winner of that primary will advance to the City Council special election, where voters citywide will choose who completes the remainder of the term.

Residents are encouraged to confirm voter registration status, polling locations, and election deadlines through the City of Alexandria Office of Voter Registration & Elections.

With multiple leadership shifts already reshaping representation in Richmond and locally, this election will determine who joins the Alexandria City Council during a period of debate over housing, development, budgeting, public safety, and economic growth.

Tonight’s Debate Details

What: Alexandria City Council candidate debate
When: Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Time: 7:00–9:00 p.m.
Where: Departmental Progressive Club
411 Gibbon Street, Alexandria
Parking: Ample parking available

Voters are encouraged to arrive early.