Del Ray Resident Jesse O’Connell Runs For Alexandria City Council

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Jesse O'Connell, a nonprofit leader and civic volunteer who lives in Del Ray, announced Friday a run for Alexandria City Council in 2024.

City Council's six seats are up for election in addition to mayor. O'Connell is seeking one of six Democratic nominations in the June 18, 2024, primary election.

"I’m thrilled to announce my candidacy for Council today. Every day I reflect on how fulfilled I am by Alexandria, how our community completes a part of me that I didn’t know I was missing until I lived here," said O’Connell in a statement. "I know that places like this don’t happen by accident, that they are sustained by the efforts and dedication of all of us who live here–so I feel called to do my part keep our city strong and thriving."

O'Connell is chief advancement officer at American Council on Education, a membership-based higher education nonprofit, and has focused his entire career on college access and affordability. In Alexandria, he's on the boards of the Alexandria Transit Company, Scholarship Fund of Alexandria, Hopkins House and Alexandria Little League. He previously served on the city's Budget and Fiscal Affairs Advisory Committee, Parks and Recreation Commission, the Old Town North Small Area Plan Advisory Group and the Braddock Implementation Advisory Group. He was founding vice president of the Braddock Metro Citizens Coalition. In 2017, he was named one of the Alexandria Chamber’s 40 under 40. O'Connell lives in Del Ray with his wife, Emily, and their two elementary school-aged children.

O'Connell pointed to a number of issues he wants to tackle on City Council.

"But while Alexandria is an amazing city—it’s also not without real challenges. This is a great place to raise a family, yet many parents struggle with access to high-quality childcare, affordable activities, and housing sufficient for their needs," said O'Connell. "Our parks, athletic facilities, and open spaces are not on par with the rest of the region and are strained to bursting by insufficient capacity."

The primary election in Alexandria is scheduled for June 18, 2024, while the general election will happen on Nov. 5, 2024.

For more information, visit www.jesseforalx.com.