McPike announces resignation from City Council effective Feb. 9
Councilman's departure — one day before special election — sets clock for another race as early voting begins Saturday
City Councilman R. Kirk McPike announced his resignation from the Alexandria City Council on Tuesday night, effective Feb. 9 — one day before the special election in which he is the Democratic nominee for House District 5.
“The people of Alexandria are giving me the opportunity to embark upon a new adventure,” McPike said during a virtual council meeting. “And while I’m excited about what is hopefully to come, it’s also a bittersweet moment, because moving into a new place means leaving a place that I really love, which is the City Council.”
McPike faces Republican Mason Butler in the Feb. 10 special election. Early voting begins Saturday.
“I will be leaving the Alexandria City Council for parts unknown or perhaps known,” McPike said. “We will find out in about two weeks.”
McPike, who was first elected in 2021 and re-elected in 2024, noted the symmetry in departing virtually, just as he was sworn in.
“I was sworn in at a virtual meeting, so it does fit that I’d be departing in a virtual meeting,” he said.
Council tributes
Mayor Alyia Gaskins presented McPike with a proclamation recognizing his service, noting his work on housing, climate action, transit, and budget issues.
“As much as you have loved being here, we have loved having you here,” Gaskins said. “We know what you’re going to bring to this role because we’ve seen what you’ve done in this role.”
Vice Mayor Sarah Bagley, who served alongside McPike since 2021, praised his meticulous approach to the budget.
“I will absolutely miss your budget spreadsheet,” Bagley said. “Kirk is very good at Excel. He knows all the tricks and can work it quickly... We never lost $1,000 anywhere if Kirk was tracking the spreadsheet.”
Councilman Canek Aguirre, who served with McPike on the Economic Opportunities Commission before both were on council, noted the two live about 800 feet apart in the West End.
“This isn’t goodbye because we know where to find you,” Aguirre said. “Plus, I know where you live.”
McPike thanked his council aide Carl Bach — “the hardest working man in the city of Alexandria” — and his husband Jason Kaufman, “who gave me permission to run for Council in 2020 when I think he was a little skeptical and supported me all the way through.”
What’s next
McPike’s resignation triggers the process for filling his council seat. Under the city charter, a special election must be held within 40 to 60 days of a vacancy.
Two candidates have already announced bids: former Alexandria Democratic Committee chair Sandy Marks and Tim Laderach, chair of the Economic Opportunities Commission and two-time president of the Del Ray Citizens Association.
Mayor Gaskins said last week she is working to align the council special election with the April 21 statewide redistricting referendum to save approximately $150,000 in election costs. That plan would require the Alexandria Democratic Committee to hold a firehouse primary in late February.
McPike listed his accomplishments over four years: reforming the zoning code with the “zoning for housing” package, creating the Office of Climate Action, maintaining fare-free DASH bus service, and expanding bus rapid transit to Duke Street.
“I hope the residents of Alexandria realize how dedicated and hardworking the people who work for Alexandria are,” McPike said.