Alexandria Council Member Wins Vacant Virginia House Seat

Alexandria City Council member Rob Krupicka, a Democrat, has won the special election for the 45th District House of Delegates seat.

Back in 2003, Krupicka, a former AOL executive, came to Fireflies Restaurant in Del Ray to launch his campaign for Alexandria City Council. Last summer, he came back the night of a difficult primary for the State Senate. He lost that race, announcing to the crowd that it may well be the place where he ends his political career.

Last night he arrived once again, this time to deliver a victory speech.

"You're not going to stop us from standing up for education, for equal pay, for good jobs, for making sure that everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation has a place at the table, and that is what today day is all about," Krupicka said. 

Turnout was about 14 percent of registered voters in the district, which stretches from south Arlington to east Alexandria into southeast Fairfax County. Alexandria Mayor Bill Euille says Krupicka will be a valuable addition to the Northern Virginia delegation. 

"Rob will bring a staunch platform, a very staunch agenda relative to youth and family initiatives and issues that he’s always been concerned about, particularly in the area of education," Euille said. 

The other special election held yesterday in Virginia, that for a State Senate seat representing the Norfolk area, has created the need for yet another special election, according to Democratic State Senate Minority Leader Dick Saslaw. 

"Kenny Alexander got elected today unopposed to the Senate. His seat is vacated in the House, so that special election will probably be called for November," Saslaw said. 

Meanwhile, Krupicka will vacate the City Council seat he has occupied for the last nine years. His positionwill be filled by a the chief Judge of the Alexandria Circuit Court until January, when a new council is sworn in.