While I fell short, I was able to gain so many new friends, learn so much more about this great City and meet so many wonderful people. All along, I was able to call on friends for support from places like Winchester, Dickenson, Richmond, Norfolk and, of course, right here in Alexandria. I am also incredibly proud of the campaign we were able to run. Our campaign team and volunteers worked incredibly hard, making thousands of phone calls and knocking on over 7,000 doors.

I also want to say something about the winners from last night: this is a fantastic group of dedicated, progressive leaders who I trust to be my members on City Council. I am incredibly proud that Alexandria Democrats chose John Chapman, Justin Wilson, Del Pepper, Paul Smedberg, Tim Lovain and Allison Silberberg to represent them in November. I’ll do everything I can to help that slate and I hope you’ll join me in that effort.

Thank you, Alexandria. It was a fun ride.

Sean

The Sierra Club based their endorsement on the answers to questionnaires and interviews with the executive committee of the Mount Vernon Group. The questionnaire considered candidates’ views on the group’s environmental priorities for Alexandria, such as promoting walking, bicycling and transit use and promoting clean energy options. It also asked for the candidates’ opinions on issues like the Beauregard Small Area Plan, the redevelopment of the city’s waterfront and the Potomac Yard Metro station.

Read more about their endorsements here: http://delray.patch.com/articles/sierra-club-announces-primary-endorsements

• Vice Mayor Kerry Donley
• Councilman Rob Krupicka
• Senator Dick Saslaw
• Former Alexandria Councilman David Speck
• Former Alexandria Councilman Lonnie Rich
• Former Chief of Police David Baker
• Democratic Caucus Chair Delegate Mark Sickles
• Delegate Scott Surovell
• Delegate David Englin
• Sherriff Dana Lawhorne
• Commonwealth’s Attorney Randy Sengel

“We are out knocking doors, making calls and letting folks know that the fight for
progressive values starts with them,” said Holihan (D). “I’m proud to have these
community leaders standing with me. They’ve dedicated years to making this region and
city a better place to work, live, and raise a family and I look forward to joining them in
that effort.”

“We have been out knocking doors, talking to voters and standing up for progressive values,” said Holihan (D). “When you run a campaign folks can believe in, that translates into strong support and fundraising. I’m proud of the work we are doing, however, what counts more than anything is voters’ confidence on June 12th.” 

Holihan has served as President of the Virginia Young Democrats and legislative staff to Delegate Brian Moran and Senator George Barker. Currently, he works as the Advocacy and Communications Manager at NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia. Holihan also serves on the board of Hopkins House and as Vice-Chair of the Alexandria Alcohol Safety Action Program.

“Sean understands the needs of public safety and will be a strong advocate for us,” said Lawhorne. “I proudly endorse him to be on the City Council.”

Dana Lawhorne has been serving the City of Alexandria as its Sheriff since 2005. He previously served 27 years in the Alexandria Police Department’s Uniformed Patrol and Criminal Investigations Divisions.

Commonwealth Attorney Randy Sengel underscored Sheriff Lawhorne’s endorsement. “Sean certainly recognizes public safety as one of the core functions of government, and I am confident he will maintain that focus. We live in a safe city and I trust him to help us keep it that way,” said Sengel.

Sengel currently serves as Commonwealth’s Attorney in Alexandria. He has been a prosecutor since 1979, and was first elected Commonwealth’s Attorney in 1997.

Councilman Rob Krupicka and Delegate David Englin have also endorsed Holihan.

# # #

SeanforCouncil.com

Alexandria, VA — Republican Alexandria City Council candidate Scott Gordon abruptly resigned from the race for a seat in City Hall on Tuesday evening, citing a family medical issue and endorsed a Democrat for council.

“This is 100 percent due to an emerging family medical issue,” Gordon told Patch. “There is no other reason. Family above all else comes first.”

Gordon made the announcement on his website.

“I urge you seriously to consider—as I make this endorsement—to fully support both physically and financially Mr. Sean Holihan, a member of the Alexandria Democratic Committee,” Gordon wrote. “Sean is trustworthy, loyal, caring, sympathetic, intelligent and a real civics expert. I believe no other candidate, Incumbent or otherwise, is more suited to serve on the City Council.”

Gordon wrote in another post on Tuesday that while he is resigning due to personal issues, he is leaving the Alexandria Republican City Committee.

“The true purpose of this resignation however is in protest to [the Alexandria Republican City Committee’s] continued support of Alicia Hughes, who (and this is entirely my opinion and in no way representative of any attempt to provide fact) is so morally and ethically challenged, whose character is so questionable, is unfit to hold office in our City,” he wrote.

In a conversation with Patch, Gordon said the family health issue would have prevented him from running an effective campaign or, if elected, from holding office in a manner he felt the post deserved. He said he will continue to support Republican incumbent Frank Fannon and, if he does decide to run again, Republican candidate Phil Cefaratti.

“[The decision to leave the race] was also an opportunity for me to leave the party out of protest to say something I wanted to say but could not because of the scriptures of the party,” Gordon said.

Holihan said he welcomed Gordon’s support in a statement sent to Patch.

“While I am a progressive Democrat and will fight for those values on City Council, I welcome support from all Alexandrians,” Holihan said. “Scott Gordon puts people before politics as evidenced by his resignation from the Republican party of Alexandria. His resignation is a true testament to how out of touch they have become. Until the Republican Party puts forth reasonable public servants for office, they will continue to lose pragmatic leaders like Scott Gordon.”

Citing the rapid pace of change in the city, needed support for its vulnerable populations and problems percolating in Richmond, City Council candidate Sean Holihan kicked off his campaign with a Sunday launch party on Prince St.

“There’s a lot of change happening in the city…There’s development in every sector of the city,” Holihan said, adding that he was prompted to run for a place on the dais to “protect the most vulnerable among us” who have diverse socio-economic backgrounds.

Education issues also resonate with him.

“About 55 percent of kids at T.C. Williams go to college,” he said to a packed first floor at the afternoon event hosted at the house of Nikki Enfield and Andy Bechhoefer. “People look at those statistics. Half of Alexandria’s students are on a free or reduce-price lunch. We need affordable housing. We can’t price people out of the city.”

Holihan also noted that Republican lawmakers in Richmond have lost the pulse of what the people want. He noted the recent flap over the legislation that would have required a transvaginal ultrasound performed prior to an abortion and expressed deep concern over legislation making it difficult for gay couples to adopt children in the state.

He told Patch later that other top issues for him include public services safety, workforce development and transportation and said his experience working in Richmond distinguishes himself from the field of other Democratic candidates for council.

“This isn’t a kick-off party,” said Holihan, who is also NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia’s advocacy and communications manager. “This is the last fun we get to do” before the hard work begins.

At the event, Holihan picked up the endorsement of City Councilman Rob Krupicka, who is not running for re-election. Del. David Englin (D-45) also has endorsed him.

Krupicka spoke at 309 Prince St., saying Holihan would make an ideal councilmember for his “in-the-weeds experience and in-depth knowledge of how Richmond works.”

Krupicka added that Alexandria should be attracting young professionals and families, which he called a “sign of prosperity” for a region.

He added that he’s a strong believer in new blood and new ideas and believes that City Council shouldn’t be a career, but a time to delve into issues of importance and show a passion for service.

The event was also attended by City Councilwoman Del Pepper and former Councilman Lonnie Rich, Democratic Party leader Dak Hardwick and Democratic council candidates Tim Lovain, Justin Wilson, John Chapman and Donna Fossum, among other Democrats and supporters.

For more news about local politics, Like Patch on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/oldtownalexandriapatch and http://www.facebook.com/delraypatch. You can also follow us on Twitter @alexandriapatch, @delraypatch.

“Sean Holihan is a hardworking progressive whose years of public policy experience in the General Assembly and active work improving Alexandria have prepared him to serve our community well. I’ve worked closely with Sean in Richmond and in Alexandria. Especially with more challenging local budget years ahead, Alexandrians can trust Sean’s judgment. He will be a champion for Alexandria’s underdogs and will make tough, smart decisions on City Council that will protect and improve quality of life for all Alexandrians.”

First elected to the General Assembly in 2005, Englin represents the 45th District, which includes Old Town, Rosemont, Del Ray, Arlandria, Parkfairfax, Northridge, and Beverly Hills. He is currently serving his fourth term.

“David is the leading progressive voice in Virginia and I am proud to have his support,” said Holihan. “David knows what it’s like to fight to protect education and the most vulnerable among us, I look forward to joining that fight to keep Alexandria a great place to live, work, and raise a family.”

During these tough economic times,
we need leaders who will fight for our
values. I’ll protect education funding and
fight to improve Alexandria’s schools. I’ll
preserve affordable housing and ensure
Alexandria is a city for everyone, where
leaders listen to all citizens before
making tough decisions.

I know what it’s like to fight for the
underdog – I’ve spent my career fighting
for Virginia’s most vulnerable citizens.
I work at NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia
where I spend every day defending
against the Republicans’ war on women.

I will champion our shared values and
fight for what matters on City Council.
It’s how I was raised, and it’s what
makes me a Democrat.

-Sean Holihan