Shortly before the deadline to run for council as a Democrat arrived, Old Town resident Chris Hubbard threw his hat in the ring. 

Hubbard officially launched his campaign April 2. He said in a news release his candidacy is focused on making Alexandria a more pedestrian-friendly community and mentioned city schools and affordable housing as priorities. 

The candidate owns an architecture and planning firm in the city. He holds a bachelors of science in biochemistry and a master’s of architecture from Virginia Tech. 

Hubbard joins a full field of Democratic candidates, including Dak Hardwick, Mo Seifeldein, Amy Jackson, Canek Aguirre, Robert Ray, Matt Feely and Elizabeth Bennett-Parker. A Republican candidate, Kevin Dunne, has also announced intentions to run for council. Incumbent councilors Del Pepper, Paul Smedberg, John Chapman and Willie Bailey are running for reelection.