The Alexandria Brief and Liberally Social Podcast team up to interview Council candidates this week
Interviews with Democratic candidates will stream live Tuesday and Wednesday ahead of Saturday's firehouse primary.
All five Democratic candidates for Alexandria City Council have been invited to live virtual interviews this week, a collaboration between the Democratic Social Club of Alexandria's Liberally Social Podcast and The Alexandria Brief.
The 30-minute interviews, hosted by Marta Schantz and Anh Phan of the Democratic Social Club and Ryan Belmore of The Alexandria Brief, can be watched live as they happen at alexandriabrief.com and on The Alexandria Brief’s YouTube channel and social media pages. All interviews will also be available to watch or listen to anytime afterward.
“We’re proud of the unique role that the Liberally Social Podcast has played for years in educating Alexandrians about local democratic candidates,” Schantz and Phan said. “Now that our host (Sandy Marks) has gone off and run for office herself, we are thrilled to get creative and partner with The Alexandria Brief to keep the interviews going. Very excited to chat with the five democratic city council candidates in advance of Saturday’s firehouse primary!”
The format is part casual conversation, part policy — candidates will field trivia questions, discuss why they’re running and what issues they’d prioritize on council, and have a chance to highlight endorsements and achievements.
“Alexandria has had a whirlwind of elections these past few weeks, and voters deserve to know who’s next in line,” said Ryan Belmore, founder and publisher of The Alexandria Brief. “I’m glad to team up with the Liberally Social Podcast to get all five candidates on camera before Saturday.”
Here’s the schedule
Tuesday, Feb. 18
Noon — Sandy Marks, former Alexandria Democratic Committee chair
1 p.m. — Tim Laderach, Economic Opportunities Commission chair and Del Ray Citizens Association president
Wednesday, Feb. 19
8 a.m. — Charles Sumpter, Safe Space NOVA co-founder and SD39 firehouse primary candidate
9:30 p.m. — Cesar Madison Tapia, teacher and Army veteran
The intereviews can be watched live or afterward below.
An interview with Roberto Gomez, founder of the youth trades program Cornerstone Craftsman, is being finalized.
The podcast previously interviewed City Council and mayoral candidates in 2024. Episodes from that series are available on Spotify.
The firehouse primary is Saturday, Feb. 21, from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Beatley Library (5005 Duke St.) and Leonard “Chick” Armstrong Recreation Center (25 W. Reed Ave.).
The Democratic nominee will advance to a special election on April 21.
Live Interview: Sandy Marks | Tuesday, February 18 at 12 p.m.
Live Interview: Tim Laderach | Tuesday, February 18 at 1 p.m.
Live Interview: Charles Sumpter | Wednesday, February 19 at 8 a.m.
Live Interview: Cesar Madison Tapia | Wednesday, February 19 at 9:30 p.m.