Much of the state’s Democratic political leadership is lining up behind Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker’s quest to succeed Adam Ebbin in the Virginia Senate.
Both Ebbin (D-39) and incoming Gov. Abigail Spanberger announced their endorsements for Bennett-Parker’s bid today (Thursday), joining a host of other supportive state leaders.
“I’ve worked alongside Elizabeth and have seen her fight for the values of our community,” Ebbin said in a statement released by the Bennett-Parker campaign.
“Using persistence, strategy and diplomacy, she has passed complex, meaningful legislation to benefit Virginians — particularly vulnerable people,” Ebbin said. “Where others might see problems, Elizabeth sees opportunities to right a wrong and improve the law.”
Ebbin last night (Wednesday) announced he would be leaving the legislature to take a position in the Spanberger administration as a senior policy adviser with the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority.
His resignation, set for Feb. 18, will trigger a special election in February, and require Democratic leaders to set up a firehouse primary to select a nominee in what is seen to be a Democratic-stronghold district.
As of publication, dates for the special election and qualifying period have not been set. The 39th Senate District includes all of the city of Alexandria, as well as portions of Arlington and Fairfax counties.
Bennett-Parker announced plans to seek the seat shortly after Ebbin’s announcement. That evening, she attended the Arlington County Democratic Committee to make her case there.
It was a homecoming of sorts, as Bennett-Parker briefly represented portions of South Arlington before redistricting removed those precincts from her.
In her remarks, she praised Ebbin as “an exemplary legislator and leader.”
Later on Wednesday evening, former Del. Mark Levine announced his plans to seek the seat, as well.
“Virginia needs a senator in a closely-divided 21-19 Senate who is unafraid to speak out on behalf of constituents and to defend them using every legal means possible,” Levine said in his kickoff announcement.
In 2021, Bennett-Parker — then serving on the Alexandria City Council — defeated incumbent Levine in the Democratic primary in what was then the 45th House District.
Ebbin’s endorsement of Bennett-Parker was not a surprise. On Wednesday, he told ALXnow he planned to make an endorsement once the Democratic field was set.
Ebbin and Levine had a somewhat rocky political relationship when their General Assembly service overlapped. Ebbin’s relationship with Bennett-Parker has appeared more congenial.
Bennett-Parker is likely to also benefit from the endorsement of Spanberger, who in just over a week will be sworn in as Virginia’s first female governor.
“Elizabeth is a dedicated and effective leader who listens and delivers,” the governor-elect said in a statement. “We had both entered politics at the same time, wanting to stand up for our communities and work hard to serve our fellow Virginians.”
Bennett-Parker also has received endorsements from state leaders including:
- House Speaker Don Scott
- House Majority Leader Charniele Herring
- Senate President Pro Tempore L. Louise Lucas
- Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell
In his campaign announcement on Facebook, Levine discounted the relevance of endorsements and fundraising in campaigns the run for days rather than weeks or months.
“It’s about turnout,” Levine wrote.
Should Bennett-Parker win Ebbin’s seat, her departure from the House of Delegates would require a special election to fill it.
That, in turn, could bring out a number of local elected leaders seeking it, and if they won, could trigger yet another special election to fill that seat.
Ebbin’s first election victory came in 2003, when he won a five-candidate Democratic primary for what then was the 49th House District that included portions of Alexandria and Arlington.
In 2011, Ebbin moved up to the Senate after defeating Libby Garvey and Rob Krupicka in a Democratic primary. He did not face major threats in the November 2011 general election or in re-election bids in 2015, 2019 and 2023.
In 2014, Ebbin was part of a 10-candidate Democratic field vying to succeed Rep. Jim Moran (D-8). Ebbin finished third behind Hope and the runaway winner, Don Beyer.
Levine also competed in that race, finishing fifth.
