Hughes, Alexandria GOP Chairman Respond to Gordon's Resignation

Alexandria Republican City Committee Chairman Tom Fulton says Alicia Hughes is a committee member “in good standing” and admits he has “full faith in her ability” as a member of Alexandria City Council.

Fulton’s remarks came in response to , who announced his resignation from the ARCC on Tuesday after dropping out of the race because of family health reasons.

Gordon wrote on his website that his resignation from the ARCC was in protest to its “continued support of Alicia Hughes, who (and this is entirely my opinion and in no way representative of any attempt to provide fact) is so morally and ethically challenged, whose character is so questionable, is unfit to hold office in our City.”

First elected to city council in 2009, Hughes has faced multiple legal actions from her landlord, Realty Management Services Inc., for failure to pay rent. One case was dismissed in September 2011 after Realty Management admitted a mistake in its computer system.

General District Court records show that Realty Management has dropped several mistaken cases against Hughes in the past but was awarded default judgment against her in unlawful detainer cases in September 2008, April 2009 and January 2011.

When asked to respond to Gordon's comments, Hughes offered the following statement: “My prayers go out to Scott and his family in what I perceive to be a difficult and private period. I do trust that God will make whatever the situation is just now better in His own time. I also that trust once He does, in one iteration or another, Scott Gordon will be back seeking a place in elected public service."

In response to Gordon’s comments, Fulton said he considers Hughes “in good standing” with the ARCC. He said he appreciates her steady attendance at the committee’s monthly meetings and the way she keeps members up to date on what she’s working on with council.

“I have full faith in her ability as a member of council,” Fulton said. “She does a good job representing certain people and interests.”

Fulton said he has had a few “general conversations” with Hughes about running for re-election but “no specific conversations.”

Hughes was elected as an independent in 2009. According to the city’s Office of Voter Registration, she has yet to file for re-election. Most candidates have yet to do so.

On Thursday, Hughes declined to comment on the upcoming election.