Mayor Euille to Make Write-In Campaign Decision by Labor Day

The June 9 primary results stunned many when longtime Alexandria Mayor Bill Euille was ousted by newcomer Vice Mayor Allison Silberberg in a low turnout, three-way race with former Mayor Kerry Donley.

The Mayor, 64, congratulated Silberberg, 52, on her win, but has not officially endorsed her as the party’s nominee and is being encouraged by some to consider a run as a write-in candidate.

Euille won’t run as an Independent since, as he pointed out, the filing deadline, June 9, Primary Election Day, has passed. Patch caught up with the Mayor before he headed out of town to Paris and Africa on a summer vacation.

• Patch: Where are you with the write-in campaign?

Euille: I am on a listening tour and will make a decision in the coming weeks. There is broad base support for such a campaign.

• Patch: Have you decided definitively one way or another whether to encourage or discourage it?

Euille: I am not discouraging it.

• Patch: If you have not decided one way or another, have you set a deadline for yourself to do so?

Euille: By Labor Day.

• Patch: If you do decide to go with a write-in campaign, how will you campaign?

Euille: I will have a full fledged campaign once a decision is made, just as I did for the Primary, with additional support coming from PACs.

• Patch: What kind of encouragement and/or discouragement are you getting? Have you talked to the group behind Securing Alexandria’s Future?

Euille: I am finding much enthusiasm from a broad sector of voters and supporters. Yes, conversations with SAF have taken place.

• Patch: What would be some of the main reasons you would want to continue to be mayor?

Euille: Continue 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; continue to grow and diversify the revenue base through economic development and being innovative; expand housing affordability; improved quality education; improving our aging infrastructure; and continuing our success as a safe place to live, work, raise a family and have fun.

• Patch: What do you feel have been your biggest accomplishments?

Euille: 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.

• Patch: What do you think are the three biggest challenges facing the City at the moment?

Euille: Growing our economy to create more jobs; public school growth and facility needs; housing affordability at all income levels.

• Patch: What kind of changes do you hope to see regarding any Confederate symbols in the City? Is changing the flying of Confederate flags on public streets and or removing street names or statues something the City Council can do and something you are considering?

Euille: Primarily, stop flying the Confederate Flag. The statue and changing street names will be both difficult and challenging, due to state laws, however, it is fair for the community to at least have a dialogue on these issues.

PHOTO: Alexandria Mayor Bill Euille