West End Resident Kirk McPike Joins Alexandria City Council Race

ALEXANDRIA, VA — West End resident Kirk McPike announced Thursday he is joining the race for Alexandria City Council in 2021.

McPike, chief of staff to Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.), will run as a Democrat in the election. State Senator Adam Ebbin and Alexandria School Board Member Jacinta Greene are co-chairs of his campaign and have endorsed him.

McPike is also a member of the city’s Budget and Fiscal Affairs Advisory Committee and previous chair of the Alexandria Economic Opportunities Commission. He and his husband, Cantor Jason Kaufman, live in the Seminary Hills neighborhood.

"I am running for City Council to ensure that Alexandria will be an even better place to live, work, and raise a family in the future than it is today," McPike said in a statement. "That means bringing a renewed focus on our schools, housing affordability and transparency to the council."

He also highlighted recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and his experiences on housing affordability and the city budget.

"As our city recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, we will need leaders who are ready for the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead," said McPike. "My experience on commissions that deal with housing affordability and the city budget, along with my work in legislative offices, have prepared me to serve on the City Council in these trying times."

In 2021, Alexandria has elections for mayor, City Council, School Board, governor and Virginia House of Delegates. Alexandria's primary election will happen on June 8, 2021, while the general election is scheduled for Nov. 2, 2021.

Mayor Justin Wilson announced he is seeking a second term, and two current City Council members are not running again. Council Member Del Pepper, who was first elected in 1985, said she will finish her term and not seek reelection. Vice Mayor Elizabeth Bennett-Parker will also not run as she seeks a Virginia House of Delegates seat in the 45th District. The district is represented by Del Mark Levine (D-Alexandria), who is running for lieutenant governor.

McPike's online campaign launch will be held in February. For more information about the campaign, visit www.kirkmcpike.com.