Alexandria voters now know who one of their choices will be in the July 17 special election to fill the City Council vacancy left by Andrew Macdonalds resignation. The Republicans have selected Bill Cleveland as their candidate.

Cleveland, who served on Council from 1988 until 2003, was exuberant. I feel fantastic.  Alexandrians know me very well and I am looking forward to reaching out to all of them and reminding them of the respect and trust they have in me, he said.

The Republican Party held its canvas at Minnie Howard School on Tuesday night. Cleveland received 363 votes, Pat Troy got 114 votes and political newcomer Lisa Miller received 21 votes.

I am very pleased with the turnout, said Chris Marston, chair of the Alexandria Republican City Committee. We were able to offer the voters a choice of candidates for this special election and that is a good thing.

Troy, who has run for council several times in the past, had mixed feelings about this short campaign. I would never have thought that I would be running against Bill Cleveland in a million years. Hes a good man and represented the citizens of Alexandria very well. I got 6,000 votes in the last election and I just felt that I needed to represent those taxpayers who voted for me. City Council passed a budget with over five percent growth again this year and thats not right, he said.

Miller, a single parent, ran because, I just think voters need a real choice, she said.

The Democrats will hold their caucus on June 9.