Alexandria Democrat Wins Seat On Council

Amid low voter turnout on a sunny summer day, political newcomer Justin Wilson, the Democratic favorite, narrowly defeated Republican William C. "Bill" Cleveland, former vice mayor of Alexandria, in a special election to fill the City Council seat vacated by Andrew H. Macdonald.

In complete but unofficial returns, Wilson captured 4,737 votes, or 52 percent, and Cleveland received 4,390, or 48 percent. Only 11.5 percent of the city's voters went to the polls, the lowest turnout since a similar special election in April 1996. About 20 percent of voters cast their ballots at the last regular election, in 2006.

"A lot of people are off work and on vacation in July," said Tom Parkins, Alexandria's general registrar of voters. Traditionally, a low turnout is seen as an advantage for Republicans, because they are viewed as more likely to vote than Democrats.

Wilson, 28, had been expected to win, having received the endorsements of many in the Alexandria Democratic political establishment. A Republican was last elected to the City Council in 2000.

But Cleveland, 58, who served on the City Council for five terms, from 1988 to 2003, is well-known across the city and had more campaign funds to use in reaching out to voters. He raised more than $53,000, according to campaign finance filings. His biggest donors included Carydale Apartments and the Building Industry Association, which represents developers.

Wilson raised at least $43,000 in cash and contributions, notably from Alexandria Toyota. He also received financial assistance from Mayor William D. Euille and former mayor Kerry J. Donley. Wilson had served as Euille's campaign treasurer.

"It wasn't an overwhelming victory, but it was a victory," Wilson said last night. "I'm ready to get to work." Wilson, a systems engineer for Amtrak, wants to double the number of DASH buses in Alexandria and promote mass transit.

The council post pays $27,000 a year.

Democratic party activists spent the day watching the polls.

"Turnout is really, really, really low," said Susan B. Kellom, chair of the Alexandria Democratic Committee. "It's closer than we'd like it to be."

Cleveland did not return calls seeking comment.

The council seat became vacant after Macdonald, a Democrat but something of a political maverick in a town increasingly dominated by Euille and his allies on the council, abruptly resigned in May.

The vacancy set off a pursuit by more than half a dozen candidates to fill the post. Three Republicans -- Cleveland, Lisa Miller and Alexandria restaurateur Pat Troy -- vied for the post, as did Democrats Wilson, former prosecutor James K. Lay, lawyer Mark Feldheim, civic activist Lenny Harris and Boyd Walker, Macdonald's former campaign manager.