James Lewis Joins Alexandria City Council Candidates In 2021

Old Town Alexandria Patch - February 11, 2021

ALEXANDRIA, VA — On Wednesday, Democrat and West End resident James Lewis announced his candidacy in the 2021 Alexandria City Council election.

Lewis is the current vice chair of the Traffic and Parking Board and has served on city boards and commissions such as the Alexandria-Caen Sister City Committee and Transportation Commission. He's also a member of Virginia's Charitable Gaming Board.

The former president of the Virginia Young Democrats, he led the organization when Democrats flipped fifteen seats in the House of Delegates in 2017. Lewis also worked as an Alexandria Democratic Committee precinct captain and congressional communications director. He now works in policy and advocacy in Old Town North.

"Alexandria has no shortage of opportunities, but we also have no shortage of challenges," said Lewis in a statement. "Our City is home to the best and brightest. Let's leverage that expertise to meet challenges and maximize our opportunities. City policies are best developed when we work together and lean into the expertise of Alexandrians."

Lewis has a bachelor's degree in biology and international relations from the College of William and Mary and a Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College. Originally from Monongahela, Pennsylvania, Lewis has lived in Alexandria for 10 years and recently bought a home in the West End. He has also lived in South Old Town and the West End's Foxchase Apartments, previously serving as secretary of the North Old Town Independent Citizens Association. He lives with his fiancé, Trevor A. Riley of Richmond.

"Like many millennials, I moved around a lot based on affordability, but I always stayed in Alexandria because I loved this City, the sense of community and the people," said Lewis.

Lewis joins a field of candidates vying for six City Council seats in 2021. Council member Del Pepper is not seeking reelection, and Vice Mayor Elizabeth Bennett-Parker is running for the House of Delegates in the 45 District. Incumbent Council members John Taylor Chapman, Amy Jackson and Canek Aguirre are running for reelection. According to campaign filings posted in the city's website, other candidates include Sarah Bagley, Abdel-Rahman Elnoubi, Alyia Gaskins and Kirk McPike.

In the mayor's race, Mayor Justin Wilson is running for reelection. As reported by Alexandria Times and ALX Now, Council Member Mo Seifeldein intends to run for mayor.

Alexandria's primary election will happen on June 8, 2021, while the general election is scheduled for Nov. 2, 2021.