Alyia Gaskins announces run for Alexandria mayor

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone know how long Gaskins has lived in Alexandria?

Well, at least since 2021, when she was elected to City Council.

I think most folks will vote on the basis of values and positions, not whether they've lived here all their life.

I'd hope so. Yet, these candidates are nearly identical when in comes to values/positions. How do you propose voters choose?

Ignoring a candidate's area expertise and community knowledge doesn't seem like an intelligible approach.

Arguably, someone living in a city less than 5 years is likely still using Google Maps to get around. To me, that level of familiarity doesn't read as ready to *lead* the city.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The Gaskins v Jackson race is interesting in how much it parallels the two Wilson v Silberberg matchups.

I do wonder if the CLA/BIBA crowd will back Jackson (even though she voted for the ZFH package) or put up an alternative candidate. I have to imagine that candidate would only split the conservative-leaning vote basically handing the election to Gaskins.

More likely they will support a few right wing anti-development candidates in the Council election.

This entire post is what is wrong with Alexandria. Amy is very liberal and not at all like Silberberg. Simply because she isn’t lock step with Wilson does not not negate her liberal views.

Too many Wilson die hard supporters cannot understand that many, many liberals do not have the same views on local issues. I was personally not in favor of the zoning amendments as drafted but I am much more liberal on national issues than some who support ZFH. Most of my friends are the same way and none of us are part of the CLA/BIBA groups.

Honestly it’s just lazy and divisive the way Wilson’s group lobs insults at those who are not in lock step with them. But I am also the person who is sick of the Dem machine selecting candidates for us. Didn’t think learn their lesson with McAuliffe?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Gaskins v Jackson race is interesting in how much it parallels the two Wilson v Silberberg matchups.

I do wonder if the CLA/BIBA crowd will back Jackson (even though she voted for the ZFH package) or put up an alternative candidate. I have to imagine that candidate would only split the conservative-leaning vote basically handing the election to Gaskins.

More likely they will support a few right wing anti-development candidates in the Council election.

This entire post is what is wrong with Alexandria. Amy is very liberal and not at all like Silberberg. Simply because she isn’t lock step with Wilson does not not negate her liberal views.

Too many Wilson die hard supporters cannot understand that many, many liberals do not have the same views on local issues. I was personally not in favor of the zoning amendments as drafted but I am much more liberal on national issues than some who support ZFH. Most of my friends are the same way and none of us are part of the CLA/BIBA groups.

Honestly it’s just lazy and divisive the way Wilson’s group lobs insults at those who are not in lock step with them. But I am also the person who is sick of the Dem machine selecting candidates for us. Didn’t think learn their lesson with McAuliffe?

What was the insult here - calling Jackson more conservative than Gaskins? I don't think that's a very controversial position, let alone insulting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Gaskins v Jackson race is interesting in how much it parallels the two Wilson v Silberberg matchups.

I do wonder if the CLA/BIBA crowd will back Jackson (even though she voted for the ZFH package) or put up an alternative candidate. I have to imagine that candidate would only split the conservative-leaning vote basically handing the election to Gaskins.

More likely they will support a few right wing anti-development candidates in the Council election.

This entire post is what is wrong with Alexandria. Amy is very liberal and not at all like Silberberg. Simply because she isn’t lock step with Wilson does not not negate her liberal views.

Too many Wilson die hard supporters cannot understand that many, many liberals do not have the same views on local issues. I was personally not in favor of the zoning amendments as drafted but I am much more liberal on national issues than some who support ZFH. Most of my friends are the same way and none of us are part of the CLA/BIBA groups.

Honestly it’s just lazy and divisive the way Wilson’s group lobs insults at those who are not in lock step with them. But I am also the person who is sick of the Dem machine selecting candidates for us. Didn’t think learn their lesson with McAuliffe?

I'm not sure how much national issues are relevant to Alexandria city politics. Development and zoning are one of the biggest issues that the Mayor and council have a significant impact on. If there's an argument that Jackson is more progressive than Gaskins on these issues, I think that would be an interesting debate.

[Anonymous]

Kids aren’t props. It’s strange that Gaskins would choose to dedicate herself to a relatively unfamiliar city over her two small children.

As a voter, I suspect we’ll receive similar treatment when she’s done adding another line item on her resume and moves on the next thing. The transparency of it all is embarrassing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kids aren’t props. It’s strange that Gaskins would choose to dedicate herself to a relatively unfamiliar city over her two small children.
As a voter, I suspect we’ll receive similar treatment when she’s done adding another line item on her resume and moves on the next thing. The transparency of it all is embarrassing.

Speaking of embarrassing, this post is very much so

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kids aren’t props. It’s strange that Gaskins would choose to dedicate herself to a relatively unfamiliar city over her two small children.
As a voter, I suspect we’ll receive similar treatment when she’s done adding another line item on her resume and moves on the next thing. The transparency of it all is embarrassing.

Speaking of embarrassing, this post is very much so

I’ve noticed a lot of people on this site are embarrassed by reality.

[Anonymous]

A lot of folks coming up with some pretty offensive arguments against Gaskins when "I don't agree with her policy positions" would do

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A lot of folks coming up with some pretty offensive arguments against Gaskins when "I don't agree with her policy positions" would do

I don’t believe this argument can be effectively used in Alexandria politics. Her safe policies are the same as the others. Copy and paste.

[Anonymous]

It's true that Jackson ultimately voted for ZFH in full after trying to pull out the SFH rezoining, primarly with the argument that a mailer didn't go out. Shades of Silberberg in the process argument for delay and discomfort with anything other than full consensus.

In terms of the Mayor position, to the extent it's not just another Council vote, you chair the council and can somewhat shape the direction of the debate. It's not as big a deal some might think given the title. But in attitude, especially on zoning/development but on policy in general, Gaskins and Jackson have different temperaments and inclinations to action, and that's where the difference lies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A lot of folks coming up with some pretty offensive arguments against Gaskins when "I don't agree with her policy positions" would do

Race card in 3,2,1....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Weird she highlights having two toddlers is an resume talking point. All it tells me is she is going to be overburdened and sleep deprived for the next few years.

I'm no fan of hers but would you say this if it was a man instead talking about having 2 toddlers? I doubt it would even cross your mind. So stop.

NP. I would totally say this about a man, too. What a weird question.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's true that Jackson ultimately voted for ZFH in full after trying to pull out the SFH rezoining, primarly with the argument that a mailer didn't go out. Shades of Silberberg in the process argument for delay and discomfort with anything other than full consensus.

In terms of the Mayor position, to the extent it's not just another Council vote, you chair the council and can somewhat shape the direction of the debate. It's not as big a deal some might think given the title. But in attitude, especially on zoning/development but on policy in general, Gaskins and Jackson have different temperaments and inclinations to action, and that's where the difference lies.

This is a solid comparison. Out of curiosity, if you had to name the candidate most likely to consider local needs and constituent feedback when voting, which candidate would you choose?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A lot of folks coming up with some pretty offensive arguments against Gaskins when "I don't agree with her policy positions" would do

Race card in 3,2,1....

Is this your idea of a prompt? Go away.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Weird she highlights having two toddlers is an resume talking point. All it tells me is she is going to be overburdened and sleep deprived for the next few years.

I'm no fan of hers but would you say this if it was a man instead talking about having 2 toddlers? I doubt it would even cross your mind. So stop.

NP. I would totally say this about a man, too. What a weird question.

Narrator: this has in fact never been said about a man