Citing Years of Community Work, Menjivar Enters City Council Race

Warwick Village resident Victoria Menjivar is entering the race for Alexandria City Council because she feels the issues she has focused on as a community activist for more than a quarter century are at the forefront of the upcoming election.

“I’ve been involved in community work for many years, all 26 years I have lived in the city,” said Menjivar, a Democrat. "The challenges of housing and education have been a focus. I thought it was about time to bring everything I’ve been doing here in the city to the next level.”

Born in El Salvador, Menjivar immigrated to the United States in 1980. She currently holds a support staff position with Alexandria City Public Schools and is the mother of two ACPS students.

She has never run for political office, but said she feels her work in the community makes her a qualified candidate for City Council. She is believed to be the first Latina to run for office in Alexandria.

Menjivar has worked at William Ramsay Elementary School, Francis C. Hammond Middle School and currently works at . She says her familiarity with every level of the school system and some experience with the operating budget gives her special insight into ACPS.

She has seen “some improvements” in the school system under Superintendent Morton Sherman, Menjivar says.

“He is a step in the right direction,” Menjivar said. “But an achievement gap remains.”

Menjivar says there is currently an “affordable housing crisis in Arlandria” and a sense of urgency about affordable housing in the West End with the Beauregard Small Area Plan carrying the potential to displace low-income residents.

The 53 year old is a founding member of Tenants and Workers United along with fellow candidate . Both spoke out against the redevelopment of the Mount Vernon Village Center in Arlandria when the proposal was before council in December. by a 6-1 vote.

Menjivar and Moshenberg filed for candidacy at the same time just before last week’s deadline. Moshenberg referred to Menjivar “a friend and sister activist” in a post on her campaign’s Facebook page.

“We have been activists and have been involved in the same issues for many years,” Menjivar said. “We have a lot of views in common. … We got in the race late, so we have a lot of disadvantages.”

With the addition of Menjivar and Moshenberg, the field of Democrats running for council numbers 14. Incumbents  and  are seeking re-election. Former councilmembers  and  are looking to return to office. The other challengers are , , , , , ,  and .

Six nominees will be selected in a primary scheduled for June 12.

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