Leroy S. Bendheim (February 12, 1906 – June 18, 1987) was a two-term mayor of

Alexandria, Virginia Alexandria is an independent city (United States), independent city in Northern Virginia, United States. It lies on the western bank of the Potomac River approximately south of Washington, D.C., D.C. The city's population of 159,467 at the 2020 ...

, and three-term Virginia state senator.

Family and early life

Bendheim was born in Alexandria, the son of Charles Bendheim and Elizabeth Schwarz. His father was a member of the Alexandria City Council and a member of the Virginia House of Delegates. German and German-Jewish Immigrants
/ref> He graduated from law school at

George Washington University The George Washington University (GW or GWU) is a Private university, private University charter#Federal, federally-chartered research university in Washington, D.C., United States. Originally named Columbian College, it was chartered in 1821 by ...

in 1929.

Political career

Bendheim served on the Alexandria School Board from 1934 to 1943, and was chairman for five years. Elected to the City Council as a

Democrat Democrat, Democrats, or Democratic may refer to: Politics *A proponent of democracy, or democratic government; a form of government involving rule by the people. *A member of a Democratic Party: **Democratic Party (Cyprus) (DCY) **Democratic Part ...

, he served from 1948 to 1955; he received the most votes for the at-large council and, thus, was vice mayor from 1952 to 1955. In 1955, he was elected Mayor of Alexandria and served two three-year terms as mayor before his defeat in 1961 by fellow Democrat Frank E. Mann. In 1963, Bendheim was elected to the Virginia Senate, representing Alexandria and served there 12 years. In 1975, he was defeated in a bid for a fourth term by Republican

Wiley F. Mitchell Wiley Francis Mitchell Jr. (born April 23, 1932) is an attorney and former politician in Virginia. Early life and education A native of North Carolina, Mitchell graduated from Wake Forest University with a bachelor's degree in 1952 and in 1954 g ...

. Bendheim never served in elected office again.

Death

Bendheim died on June 18, 1987, of cancer at Alexandria Hospital in Alexandria, Virginia.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bendheim, Leroy S. 1906 births 1987 deaths Mayors of Alexandria, Virginia Virginia city council members Democratic Party Virginia state senators George Washington University Law School alumni Deaths from cancer in Virginia Lawyers from Alexandria, Virginia 20th-century mayors of places in Virginia 20th-century members of the Virginia General Assembly