Alexandrians Mark Levine, Derek Hyra Enter Race for Congress

Two more candidates, both from Alexandria, have added their names to the growing list of those running in the Democratic primary for the 8th congressional District seat of retiring Congressman Jim Moran.

The Democratic primary is June 10.

Mark Levine of Alexandria, “The Aggressive Progressive,” has made it official; Derek Hyra is also running, the Washington Post reported Monday. Hyra kicked off his campaign Tuesday at Cameron Cafe, a coffee shop located in the West End of Alexandria.

Hyra is an associate professor at Virginia Tech, and is active in Alexandria city government. Hyra teaches in the university's Department of Urban Affairs and Planning in the School of Public and International Affairs and was appointed last year by the Alexandria City Council to a four-year term on the city’s planning commission.

Levine, a former chief legislative counsel to Congressman Barney Frank for the Judiciary, Homeland Security, and Financial Services committees, Levine is perhaps best known for wielding his pocket Constitution in his hundreds of appearances on FOX, CNBC, MSNBC, CNN Headline News, and other national and international TV news channels.

“The People of Fairfax, Arlington, Alexandria, and Falls Church want a strong voice to fight for the American Dream," he said in a news release announcing his candidacy. "With the retirement of Congressman Moran, our area is losing a senior and respected activist for our progressive causes. We need a Congressman who will do more than simply cast a vote, one who will strongly advocate for military veterans, federal employees and contractors, students and young professionals, and retirees.

"This is what I’ve done throughout my career — sticking up for our progressive values while repeatedly tangling with Bill O’Reilly, Megyn Kelly, Larry Kudlow and others on the Right that threaten the American Dream.”

Levine’s legislative resume includes authoring the official Constitutional Challenge to the 2000 Bush/Gore election for the Congressional Black Caucus, writing domestic violence and gay-rights legislation, and defeating the Bush faith-based initiative. 

Levine currently hosts nationally syndicated radio/television talk shows that are heard in the Metro DC area and nationwide on 89.3 FM. He is a Senior Fellow with the Truman National Security Project.

Also read:

• Community Leader Lavern Chatman Enters Congressional Race
• State Sen. Adam Ebbin Announces Run for Congress
• Charniele Herring Enters Race for Congress
• Sickles Joins Growing List of Democrats Seeking 8th Congressional District Nod
• Alexandria Mayor Bill Euille Enters Congressional Race
• Patrick Hope Launches Congressional Campaign
• Report: Don Beyer to Enter Race for Congress
• After Jim Moran: Awaiting a Swarm of Potential Successors