From left to right: Mayors-elect Joe Cobb of Roanoke, Danny Avula of Richmond, Alyia Gaskins of the city of Alexandria and Jimmy Gray of Hampton. (Collage courtesy VCU CNS)
By Marlene Dolla/VCU Capital News Service
RICHMOND, Va. — There were many competitive mayoral races across Virginia and the outcomes include some historic firsts, and two races within the margin of a recount.
Democrat Alyia Gaskins ran unopposed to become the City of Alexandria’s first Black woman elected mayor. She received 94% of over 65,000 citywide votes, according to unofficial Department of Elections results. There were almost 4,000 write-in votes. She previously secured the Democratic nomination in a three-way primary.
Gaskins was first elected to Alexandria City Council in 2021. She replaces fellow Democratic Mayor Justin Wilson, who did not seek a final third term.
Gaskins’ three-year term begins Jan. 2, with a focus on what she said resonated most with voters during her candidacy: her vision for a safer, more affordable and more accessible Alexandria that works for all.