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The House District 5 firehouse primary is now a four-way race.
Greg Darrall, a Fairfax County Public Schools special education teacher and vice president of the Fairfax County Federation of Teachers, filed before Sunday’s 4 p.m. deadline, joining City Councilman Kirk McPike, former School Board member Eileen Cassidy Rivera, and criminal defense attorney Chris Leibig on the ballot.
Darrall, a self-described “proud progressive,” played a key role in the successful unionization of FCPS and helped secure the district’s first collective bargaining agreement in more than 50 years. His platform emphasizes public education, health care access, worker and immigrant rights, and climate action.
“This campaign isn’t about one person — it’s about all of us,” Darrall says on his campaign website. “Gregory Darrall is running because he believes people always come first, and that together we are stronger.”
Originally from Buffalo, New York, Darrall holds two master’s degrees in Teaching ESOL and Educational Leadership. He and his husband, José, a first-generation Venezuelan American, have lived in Alexandria since 2015.
The Alexandria Democratic Committee announced the final ballot shortly after 4 p.m. Sunday. In ballot order, the candidates are:
- Kirk McPike
- Eileen Cassidy Rivera
- Greg Darrall
- Chris Leibig
The Alexandria Brief hosted live virtual conversations with McPike, Rivera and Leibig on Sunday and has reached out to Darrall.
The primary
Voting takes place Tuesday, Jan. 20, from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. at two locations:
- Charles E. Beatley Jr. Library, 5005 Duke St.
- Charles Houston Recreation Center, 901 Wythe St.
Only residents registered to vote in House District 5 may participate. Check your district at whosmy.virginiageneralassembly.gov.
The winner will face Republican Mason Butler in the Feb. 10 special election.
