2024 General Election Candidate Profile: Celianna Gunderson For Alexandria City Council

ALEXANDRIA, VA — As Alexandrians cast their ballots for president and Congress, the Nov. 5, 2024 general election in the City of Alexandria features local races as well. In the City Council general election, Celianna Gunderson is one of nine candidates.

There are six City Council seats up for grabs. Six of the candidates won the Democratic primary election in June — incumbents John Taylor Chapman, Sarah Bagley, Kirk McPike and Canek Aguirre and School Board members Abdel Elnoubi and Jacinta Greene. Mason Butler and Roy Byrd are running as independents, and Gunderson is running as a Republican.

The City of Alexandria will have the mayor, all six City Council seats and all nine Alexandria School Board seats up for election in November. Federal elections on the ballot include president, Sen. Tim Kaine's U.S. Senate seat, and Rep. Don Beyer's eighth congressional district seat. The next state-level elections will be in 2025.

Early voting for the general election started on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024 and continues through Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. More information on how to vote is available from the Alexandria Office of Voter Registration & Elections.

Patch asked candidates for mayor, Alexandria City Council and Alexandria School Board to fill out a candidate questionnaire with the same questions. Here are Celianna Gunderson's responses:

Name

Celianna Gunderson

Office Sought

Alexandria City Council

Campaign Website

www.Celianna4Alexandria.com

Age (As of Nov. 5 election)

54

Education

Associate’s Degree in Paralegal Studies from a German institution.

Occupation

Paralegal

Family

I come from a military family and was raised mostly in Germany. I’m now divorced with two
wonderful teens, both of whom attend(ed) ACHS. I recently lost family members, and I’m
grateful to God for my time with them, and with those I still hold dear.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Previous public office positions or appointments

None

Why are you seeking this office?

I became interested in running when I attended an informal community gathering at Ft. Ward Park over a year ago and saw how dismissive City Council members were about citizen concerns over crime in the community and in the schools. If the citizens call a meeting about a problem, City Council needs to listen. I’ve been talking to so many people who are disappointed with the direction of our city and the lack of respect they receive from council members when they voice opposing opinions. I am certain the city will benefit from some political and philosophical diversity; right now, all we have is 7-0 votes and GroupThink. We need voting by Wards.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidate(s) seeking this post?

As a parent, I’m personally invested in the city’s future beyond my lifetime. That makes me
different from some of the other candidates. I first attended an event with city council members
present because of my concern for my kids. I’m concerned about fiscal sustainability and fully
funding our employee pension plans. I’ve never wanted to Defund the Police. I know what it’s
like to live on a very tight budget, and I can relate to folks doing the same. I’m appreciative of
our local non-profits and the vital role they play in our community. They were there for me in my
time of need.

What do you see as the top issues facing your city, and how do you address them in your campaign platform?

I have 3 top issues:
-Addressing crime and supporting our police;
-Scrubbing the city budget and reducing taxes (which should help reduce rental costs); and
-Taking a strong stand against changing 40+ street names and against the ‘road diet’ plans
to reduce the travel lanes for cars, remove tree canopies, and create confusing road
markings which reduce road safety.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

My past experiences inform my views. I’ve been a small business owner and a homeowner. I’ve
successfully navigated international moves and family changes (divorce and single-mom-hood).
I have an appreciation for international business concerns and the legal aspects of business and
government.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I want to focus city spending on essential government services, cut the budget where we can and
reduce taxes. I don’t pretend to know everything and have all the answers. But I’ll have
questions, and be willing to listen to a variety of opinions before making a decision.