Primary For Alexandria City Council Heating Up

Democrats are engaged in a fierce primary campaign for the Alexandria City Council, and laborers and civil rights advocates are speaking out about the upcoming election.

Hector Pineda is one of hundreds of hard-working Alexandria residents who are fearing for their future. City officials are working with a developer to demolish the apartment complex he lives in, and he says the City Council candidates on the ballot this June will face consequences.

"Of course there has to be consequences because, like I say, we are a voting people," Pineda said on the sidelines of a rally in Old Town May 1. "And we will see who Alexandria city is with. Is it with the hard-working people? Or is it with the big money?"

Big money is at stake. The plan would allow a developer to demolish several garden apartments serving low-income residents in order to more than double the allowable density. Gabriel Rojo is executive director of Tenants and Workers United, which organized a May Day rally in Market Square.

"Where are our elected officials that we elected into office? This is our tax dollars that's paying for almost everything here," he said. "And we're just treated like step children. This is an outrage."

The Democratic primary for Alexandria City Council members is June 12. There are 14 candidates are seeking six positions.