Former Councilman Fannon announces independent bid for McPike's seat

Fourth-generation Alexandrian last served on council in 2012

Frank Fannon (contributed photo)

Former City Councilman Frank Fannon announced Monday he is running as an independent for the City Council seat vacated by Del. Kirk McPike.

Fannon, who served on council from 2009 to 2012, made the announcement at the Friendship Firehouse Presidents’ Day Breakfast. He will face the winner of Saturday’s Democratic firehouse primary in the April 21 special election.

Fannon won his council seat in 2009 as a Republican, breaking a Democratic stranglehold on the council at the time. He is now running as an independent.

“Alexandria is my home. My family has been part of this community since 1885, and I’ve spent my life working to make it better,” Fannon said in a statement. “I’m running for City Council because I believe Alexandrians deserve a representative who will ask tough questions, control spending, and put our neighborhoods first — not just go along with the crowd.”

Platform

Fannon’s campaign centers on fiscal responsibility, neighborhood protection and what he calls bringing an “independent voice” to a council he believes has lacked debate and accountability.

He pledged to oppose tax increases, scrutinize city spending and focus transportation investments “on options residents actually use.”

Fannon also called for protecting single-family neighborhoods from what he described as “inappropriate large-scale development,” criticizing the Zoning for Housing package that council passed unanimously in 2023.

“There was zero support from single-family homeowners to construct apartment buildings in single-family neighborhoods,” Fannon said. “It was forced upon them and should be reconsidered.”

A city survey of more than 1,700 residents conducted during the Zoning for Housing process found a majority supported more housing options across the city.

Fannon said density is a quality-of-life concern.

“Alexandria is already among the most densely populated mid-size cities in the United States,” Fannon said. “It’s time to seriously reconsider plans to add tens of thousands more people to a city of 15 square miles with nowhere to grow.”

He also proposed election reforms, including eliminating partisan labels from council races and exploring a ward-based voting system.

Community ties

Fannon is a fourth-generation Alexandrian and was named a Living Legend of Alexandria in 2020. His great-grandfather, T.J. Fannon, founded T.J. Fannon and Sons in 1885, now the oldest fully family-owned business in the city. Three generations of Fannons have served on council, including T.J. Fannon as vice mayor.

Fannon recently retired from a 32-year career in mortgage banking with Crestar/SunTrust/Truist. He currently serves as president of the Alexandria Aces, the city’s collegiate summer baseball team, and has served as president of Agenda:Alexandria, Volunteer Alexandria and the Alexandria Sportsman’s Club.

For nearly two decades, he has organized “Alexandrians Have Heart,” an annual food and clothing drive benefiting Christ House, ALIVE! Food Bank and Carpenter’s Shelter.

What’s next

Five Democrats are competing in Saturday’s firehouse primary: Sandy Marks, Tim Laderach, Roberto Gomez, Charles Costen-Sumpter and Cesar Madison Tapia. Polls are open from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Beatley Library and Leonard “Chick” Armstrong Recreation Center. Online voting is also available.

The special election is April 21, the same date as a statewide redistricting referendum. Early voting begins around March 6.

This story has been updated with additional background and context.