Candidates vying for both the Democratic and Republican nominations for Virginia governor have made Alexandria a stop on the campaign trail, signifying the influence of Northern Virginia in statewide politics.

Former governor Terry McAuliffe has made several stops in the region, including a visit April 20 to Mount Vernon Woods Elementary School during a United Community COVID relief food distribution event.

McAuliffe is facing four opponents in a contested Democratic primary June 8: Del. Jennifer Carroll Foy (D-2), Del. Lee Carter (D-50), Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax and Sen. Jennifer McClellan (D-9). Early voting begins

McClellan was in Alexandria for an April 15 campaign stop at Old Town’s fibre space yarn shop to launch her “Women for McClellan” initiative.

“Virginia has the worst record of elected women to office and it’s time to change that,” said McClellan, who is vice chair of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus. “As we are facing a health pandemic, economic crisis, reckoning of racial injustice and a growing loss of faith that people have in government, I am running to rebuild our economy, our health care and our economic safety net in a way that restores that trust and leaves no Virginian behind.”

On the Republican side, Pete Snyder and Kirk Cox have made campaign stops in Alexandria as they vie to be the Republican nominee for governor.

Cox is a former high school educator and coach and has served in the Virginia House of Delegates since 1990 representing the 66th District. He also served as the 55th Speaker of the House of Delegates, as House Majority Leader from 2010 to 2018 and House Majority Whip from 2004 to 2010.

“One party control in Richmond is tearing our state apart,” said Cox, who attended an April 15 campaign event at the Alexandria home of Frank Fannon. “No one would be faulted for feeling anxious or pessimistic about the future. I want to see problems solved through dialog and communication, not with destruction and chaos in our streets.”

Snyder is an entrepreneur best known as the founder of New Media Strategies and more recently the angel investor firm Disruptor Capital. Though he ran unsuccessfully in the Republican Primary for Lieutenant Governor in 2013, he is not shy about his goals in this election.

“I want to change the balance of power in the General Assembly,” said Snyder during a March 27 event at Blackwall Hitch Restaurant on the waterfront. “I want to see Republicans in charge.”

Other Republicans seeking the nomination for governor include Sen. Amanda Chase, Sergio de la Pena, Peter Doran, Octavia Johnson, and Glenn Youngkin.

On early voting in Alexandria: https://www.alexandriava.gov/elections/info/default.aspx?id=1720