The Alexandria Brief Podcast

A conversation with Alison Virginia O'Connell, candidate for Alexandria City Council

Alison Virginia O'Connell is an independent candidate for the open Alexandria City Council seat in the April 21 special election. A community organizer who has lived and worked in Alexandria for about a decade, O'Connell is running on housing affordability, ethical investment screening for city funds, and getting ICE out of Alexandria. In this conversation with Alexandria Brief publisher Ryan Belmore, O'Connell talks about why she decided to run, her frustration with the lack of space for progressive issues in the Democratic primary, her platform on housing affordability, ethical investment screening for city funds, getting ICE out of Alexandria, the redistricting referendum also on the April 21 ballot, and what she's been hearing since her candidacy became public. Early voting begins Friday, March 6 at the Alexandria Office of Voter Registration and Elections, 132 North Royal Street. Election Day is April 21. Learn more about Alison Virginia O'Connell's campaign at avo4alx.com [http://avo4alx.com]. Get full access to The Alexandria Brief at alexandriabrief.substack.com/subscribe [https://alexandriabrief.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

A conversation with Sandy Marks, candidate for Alexandria City Council

Sandy Marks is the Democratic nominee for the open Alexandria City Council seat in the April 21 special election. A two-term former chair of the Alexandria Democratic Committee and advocacy communications specialist, Marks won the Democratic firehouse primary February 21 with 1,573 votes in a five-candidate field. In this conversation with Alexandria Brief publisher Ryan Belmore, Marks talks about why she got into the race, what she learned from the firehouse primary, her approach to decision-making on contentious issues like bike lanes and housing, ICE and Sheriff Casey's cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, the redistricting referendum also on the April 21 ballot, and what she's hearing from Alexandrians at the doors. Early voting begins Friday, March 6 at the Alexandria Office of Voter Registration and Elections, 132 North Royal Street. Election Day is April 21. Learn more about Sandy Marks's campaign at sandyforthecity.com [http://sandyforthecity.com]. Get full access to The Alexandria Brief at alexandriabrief.substack.com/subscribe [https://alexandriabrief.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

A conversation with Frank Fannon, candidate for Alexandria City Council

Frank Fannon is one of three candidates running for the open Alexandria City Council seat in the April 21 special election. A fourth-generation Alexandrian who served on council from 2009 to 2012, Fannon is running as an independent — a deliberate choice he says reflects his belief that local elections shouldn't be defined by national party politics. In this conversation with Alexandria Brief publisher Ryan Belmore, Fannon talks about why he's running again after more than a decade away from elected office, his opposition to the city's 2023 zoning changes that allow four-unit apartment buildings in single-family neighborhoods, his vision for transit-oriented development, the tension between the city council and school board, the redistricting referendum also on the April 21 ballot, and what he's hearing from voters on the campaign trail. Early voting begins Friday, March 6 at the Alexandria Office of Voter Registration and Elections, 132 North Royal Street. Election Day is April 21. Learn more about Frank Fannon's campaign at frankfannin.org [http://frankfannin.org]. Get full access to The Alexandria Brief at alexandriabrief.substack.com/subscribe [https://alexandriabrief.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Firehouse Primary Interviews — A conversation with Cesar Madison Tapia

The Alexandria Brief and the Liberally Social Podcast team up to interview the five Democratic candidates competing in Saturday's City Council firehouse primary. Next up: Cesar Madison Tapia. In this episode: Cesar Madison Tapia discusses why he's running to bring young voices to the table, his three policy priorities — partnering with ACPS, affordability and transparency — and his journey from undocumented immigrant to Army veteran to middle school teacher. Plus: rapid-fire questions on pizza, astrology, Game of Thrones and his cats. About the candidate: Cesar Madison Tapia, 26, came to the United States as an undocumented immigrant at age 4 and later gained citizenship through the U.S. Army. He currently teaches middle school in D.C. and recently joined the city's Affordable Housing Advisory Committee. He has built a TikTok following of nearly 10,000 for political advocacy and founded the community organization Liberty Lens. Endorsements: Tapia has intentionally declined formal endorsements, describing his campaign as "people-driven." Learn more: madisontapiaforalx.com [http://madisontapiaforalx.com] How to vote Saturday, Feb. 21: In person: Beatley Library (5005 Duke St.) or Leonard "Chick" Armstrong Recreation Center (25 W. Reed Ave.), 8:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. Online: Must have registered by 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20 at alexdems.org [http://alexdems.org] This episode is a collaboration between the Alexandria Brief and the Liberally Social Podcast. Produced by Anh Phan, Marta Schantz and Ryan Belmore. Get full access to The Alexandria Brief at alexandriabrief.substack.com/subscribe [https://alexandriabrief.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Firehouse Primary Interviews — A conversation with Charles Sumpter

The Alexandria Brief and the Liberally Social Podcast team up to interview the five Democratic candidates competing in Saturday's City Council firehouse primary. Next up: Charles Sumpter. In this episode: Charles Sumpter discusses why he's running to make Alexandria more affordable for regular people, his four policy priorities — housing affordability, workforce pathways, sustainable infrastructure and transportation — and his idea for a "Climate Corps" to help communities build resilience. Plus: rapid-fire questions on pizza, karaoke, stress relief and astrology. About the candidate: Charles Sumpter grew up in the South Bronx and has lived in Alexandria for 16 years. He founded the nonprofit Safe Space NOVA and served as chair of the Alexandria Commission on HIV/AIDS. He works as a consultant focused on human capital transformation. If elected, he would be the first Black gay member of the Alexandria City Council. Endorsements mentioned: Former Del. Mark Levine, former Arlington and Alexandria Gay and Lesbian Association president Bruce Hightower, and multiple HIV/AIDS commission chairs and community health advocates Learn more: sumpterforvirginia.com [http://sumpterforvirginia.com] How to vote Saturday, Feb. 21: In person: Beatley Library (5005 Duke St.) or Leonard "Chick" Armstrong Recreation Center (25 W. Reed Ave.), 8:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. Online: Must have registered by 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20 at alexdems.org [http://alexdems.org] This episode is a collaboration between the Alexandria Brief and the Liberally Social Podcast. Produced by Anh Phan, Marta Schantz and Ryan Belmore. Get full access to The Alexandria Brief at alexandriabrief.substack.com/subscribe [https://alexandriabrief.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]