Mayor Bill Euille: 'I Will Not Go Quietly Into the Night'

Mayor Bill Euille made it official Sunday afternoon in an announcement to supporters: He will run as a write-in candidate for a fifth term as mayor of Alexandria in the November election, after losing the Democratic primary June 9 to Vice Mayor Allison Silberberg.

Euille made his announcement to supporters Sunday at the City’s Waterfront Park. He unveiled a new logo and announcement on his campaign Web site:

“This City is worth fighting for; I was born and raised here and I will not go quietly into the night – not when the jobs, the decent paychecks and the lifestyles of the people I love the most are at stake.

That’s why I’ve decided to run as a write-in candidate for Mayor this November. I hope you will support my campaign by volunteering and making a contribution today.

Together we have moved Alexandria forward and we aren’t done yet.”

Meanwhile his challenger in the race, Silberberg, announced that she will kick off her campaign next Sunday, Sept. 13 from 1-2:30 p.m. at Los Tios restaurant in Del Ray.

Euille is running for reelection for a fifth term and was challenged in the June 9 Democratic primary by Silberberg and former Mayor Kerry Donley. Silberberg bested Euille in the primary race by 318 votes.

Some — including Euille — are convinced that she was the recipient of votes from some Alexandria Republicans who crossed party lines to cast their votes in the primary. As an open primary state, any qualified voter can vote in either party’s primary election.

Some of Alexandria’s Republican voters were reportedly behind Silberberg for her go-slow approach on development in the City. Euille said that there is plenty of development in the pipeline yet to be dealt with including Landmark Mall and Potomac Yard and in the West Eisenhower and North Old Town areas.

Euille also said after the primary that Donley’s decision to get in the race was another reason he lost the primary.

The primary in June brought out 13,493 voters, under 8 percent of the City’s registered voters. Here was the breakdown:

• Donley: 3,662
• Euille: 4,737
• Silberberg: 5,055

After the primary, Euille, 64, congratulated Silberberg, 52, on her win, but did not officially endorse her as the party’s nominee and said he was encouraged by some to consider a run as a write-in candidate.

Euille has said some of the main reasons he is mounting a write-in campaign include:

• Continuing to provide effective leadership and vision in moving the city forward in this competitive DMV region
• Teamwork and collaboration with my Council colleagues and the public
• Continuing to grow and diversify the revenue base through economic development and being innovative; expand housing affordability
• Improved quality education
• Improving our aging infrastructure
• Continuing our success as a safe place to live, work, raise a family and have fun

Euille says his biggest accomplishments include:

• Protecting the City’s double AAA Bond Rating for 12 consecutive years
• The Waterfront Redevelopment Plan
• Metro Station at Potomac Yard
• Closing the GenOn Power Plant in North Old Town
• Protecting our environment-i.e.the King Street Trolly and acres of open space
• Affordable Housing above the Fire Station in Potomac Yard
• High quality of life and public safety (very low crime rates)
• Bringing the USPTO and NSF (National Science Foundation) to the city with high tech and jobs
• Alexandria as an Arts Destination
• Redevelopment of Landmark Mall
• Upgrading our Public Housing stock and continuing to ensure for our social, racial and economic diversity, which we cherish

Euille has said the biggest challenges facing the City are “growing our economy to create more jobs; public school growth and facility needs; housing affordability at all income levels.”

PHOTO: Alexandria Mayor Bill Euille