2024 General Election Candidate Profile: Roy Byrd 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, Roy Byrd 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 Byrd are running as independents, and Celianna 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 will begin on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024 and continue 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 Roy Byrd's responses:

Name

Roy R Byrd

Office Sought

City Council

Campaign Website

byrd4alexandria.com

Age (As of Nov. 5 election)

70

Education

BA Political Science, Purdue University; MA National Strategic Studies, Naval War College

Occupation

Retired

Family

Wife: Patricia works for the Society for Human Resource Management in Alexandria; Son: Sean is a Graphic Designer in San Diego, CA and graduated from Alexandria High School in 2001.

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’m running for the City Council to address critical issues like balancing the residential and commercial tax burden, making housing more affordable, and ensuring neighborhood-appropriate development. It begins with listening and acknowledging not dismissing different viewpoints. It's essential to engage with all constituents, regardless of their age or political beliefs. Open dialogue, finding common ground, bridging gaps, and building consensus can only be achieved through active listening and respect for diverse perspectives. As a lifelong Independent, I am committed to prioritizing the needs of residents, free from the influence of party politics or ideological doctrines.

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

Each of my opponents brings valuable perspectives and experience to the table. What sets me apart is my extensive leadership experience as a Marine Corps officer and a business leader. I have a proven track record of getting things done and a deep understanding of our community’s needs from my 25 years of active involvement. As a lifelong Independent, I am committed to prioritizing the needs of residents, free from the influence of party politics or ideological doctrines. I will work to earn and maintain public trust, promote transparency, integrity, and high ethical standards. I believe residents must be involved in policy development from start to finish.

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

We are a destination city. Tourists rarely include Falls Church, Fairfax, or Arlington County on their itineraries when visiting the Nation’s Capital, but they often come to Alexandria. The next Council will determine if Alexandria retains this distinction, its diverse neighborhoods and quality of life, or devolves into just another overdeveloped regional urban landscape. The Council should work to lower residents' taxes, preserve the unique character of Alexandria's neighborhoods during development, promote affordable rents and diverse housing options, and boost homeownership opportunities. We must balance the tax base with sustainable economic growth, improve our public schools to attract businesses, and invest in public safety, infrastructure, recreational and green spaces to support population growth while maintaining quality of life. We have to prioritize public safety, essential services, and infrastructure in our funding decisions, as they are central to livability and quality of life. Councilmembers must exercise careful oversight of public resources. I will advocate for the increased integration of Six Sigma, Agile methodologies, Big Data analysis, and Change Management across all city departments and agencies.

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

As a Marine Corps officer and later as a business executive, I have successfully led and managing large, complex organizations. Additionally, I learned the importance of prioritizing people and distinguishing between leadership and management—essentially, you lead individuals and manage tasks.

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

Alexandria is facing significant challenges, the full scale of which were only recently revealed to the public. As you select the new Council, think about whether those who led us here are best equipped to govern us back to a sustainable path. I propose a different approach, one that respects our residents and actively involves them in determining Alexandria’s future. Alexandria is a wonderful place to live, together we can make it even better. I am asking for your vote so that collaboratively we can create a prosperous future for all.