Rep. Don Beyer, right, congratulates Justin Wilson at a roast of the outgoing mayor Dec. 15, 2024.
Former Mayor Justin Wilson was honored during his waning days in office as more than 200 elected officials, friends, family and community members gathered Dec. 15, 2024, at The Atrium for a comedic roast for the outgoing mayor.
The tribute served as a fundraiser for Carpenter’s Shelter and ALIVE!, raising more than $15,000 for the two local nonprofits.
Michelle Millben and Clark Mercer served as co-emcees for the evening, which featured speakers including U.S. Rep. Don Beyer (D-8), Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay and Councilwoman and now Mayor Alyia Gaskins.
Wilson’s monthly and at times lengthy Council Connection newsletters were the topic of many jokes, as was Wilson’s legendary social media presence.
“We thought it would be fitting to read from one of Justin’s monthly newsletters,” Mercer said to the crowd. “It goes on forever. When you get this thing, you have a decision to make. Do you read Justin’s newsletter, or do you watch the trilogy of Lord of the Rings?”
Wilson first entered public office in 2007. He served eight years on city council with three as vice mayor before being elected mayor in 2018. Wilson did not seek re-election for a third term and has been succeeded by City Councilwoman Alyia Gaskins.
“Justin has given me a lot of advice during this transition,” Gaskins deadpanned. “He told me it was important to have a signature style as mayor. While I appreciate Justin’s style advice, khaki in rotating shades of tan will be left in 2024.”
Beyer recalled meeting Wilson on the campaign trail in 1989 when the then 13-year-old was handing out literature at a voting precinct.
Wilson’s mother, Leslie Tourigny was on hand for the festivities and remembers that day.
“How quickly the time has gone from that first meeting,” Tourigny said. “I wouldn’t say that Justin always had political aspirations, but he did always have aspirations to serve. I’m not surprised he was successful but more importantly he is a wonderful husband, father and son.”
McKay, a close friend of Wilson since college, read a tongue-in-cheek proclamation calling Wilson Alexandria’s “resident data geek, ensuring every decision came with ample graphs, metrics, and pivot tables.”
When Wilson took to the stage, he began with a nod towards McKay.
“Jeff, thanks for coming,” Wilson said. “I appreciate that you wanted to get dinner at a place that has passable restaurants.”
He then turned serious as he thanked those in attendance.
“It’s been such an honor and incredible privilege to work with you on so many different things,” Wilson said. “We have done incredible things in this community and it’s not me, it’s all of us together. We’ve worked together to do incredible things, to build schools, to make it easier to get around our community. To develop new parks, all the things that we’ve done together, it’s been all of us working together and that’s what makes this job so much fun.”
His highest praise was for his wife, Alex Crawford-Batt,
“I have been able to do this because I have an absolutely incredible family,” Wilson said. “My wife is the reason I am here in Alexandria. She is an incredible partner and our kids are successful because of her and the sacrifices she has made.”
Setting the jokes aside, Gaskins wrapped up comments saying, “Whether you are on this dais or not, we are going to feel your legacy and experience what you have left. We are grateful for your service.”
Added Millben, “All of us in some way have been inspired to serve in different ways because of Justin.”