Alexandria Democratic Party Fractured Leading Up To Primary

Democrats are jockeying for position in a competitive primary for the Alexandria City Council, something that has been a rarity in recent years.

Fourteen candidates are on the ballot for six seats in Alexandria, where two current incumbents — Del Pepper and Paul Smedberg — and two former incumbents — Tim Lovain and Justin Wilson — are running against 10 other candidates.

Several groups of Democrats have come together to endorse slates of candidates, and more endorsements are expected in the coming weeks.

One group, Alexandrians for a Livable City, is calling for a complete change of leadership, expressing frustration with the controversial waterfront plan and another development proposal on the West End. They've endorsed five candidates who have said they would have voted against the waterfront  rezoning if they were on the council: Arthur Peabody, Victoria Menjivar, Sammie Moshenberg, Allison Silberberg and Boyd Walker.

A second group calling itself Democrats for a Better Alexandria announced its slate yesterday, choosing the two former incumbents but passing on the two current incumbents. Democrats for a Better Alexandria also endorsed John Taylor Chapman, Sammie Moshenberg, Arthur Peabody and Boyd Walker.

A third group is expected to make an endorsement soon, adding to the competition for voter attention in the June 12 primary.