Alexandria Democratic Committee

JUST IN: Democratic firehouse primary for Del. Bennett-Parker’s seat scheduled for Tuesday

Published January 16, 2026 at 11:45AM | Updated January 16, 2026 at 12:08PM

Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker (D-5th) at the No Kings Rally at Market Square in Old Town, Oct. 18, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria Democrats are in for deja vu as this month’s second Democratic firehouse primary will take place Tuesday to fulfill outgoing Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker’s seat, after her resignation announcement.

The firehouse primary is happening this Tuesday, Jan. 20, according to the Alexandria Democratic Committee. So far, two candidates have entered the race vying for Bennett-Parker’s 5th District seat: City Councilmember R. Kirk McPike and former Alexandria City School Board member Eileen Cassidy Rivera.

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Second firehouse primary scheduled next week as Del. Bennett-Parker runs for State Senate

By James Cullum

Published January 16, 2026 at 9:15AM | Updated January 16, 2026 at 12:03PM

Virginia Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker (D-5th) at the Virginia Tech Innovation Campus ribbon cutting, Feb. 28, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Fresh from her firehouse Democratic primary win for a State Senate seat, Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker (D-5) has announced her resignation from the House of Delegates.

The resignation will go into effect Feb. 18, Bennett-Parker said in an email yesterday (Thursday). The delegate won the firehouse primary for the 39th District State Senate in the early morning hours on Wednesday. Now, another firehouse primary to fill her 5th District seat has been scheduled for next Tuesday, as of late Friday morning.

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Democratic candidates in 39th District primary to debate tonight ahead of Tuesday polling

By James Cullum

Published January 12, 2026 at 3:45PM

There's a firehouse primary for Virginia's 39th senate district on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026 (via ADC/Facebook)

Four candidates made the 4 p.m. filing deadline Sunday to participate in Tuesday’s firehouse Democratic primary for Virginia’s 39th senate district.

Democratic candidates who paid the $360 fee to meet the Alexandria Democratic Committee’s filing deadline were Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker (D-5), former Del. Mark Levine (D-45), former Alexandria Vice Mayor Amy Jackson and World Wildlife Fund senior executive Charles Sumpter.

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JUST IN: Alexandria Democrats schedule firehouse primary to replace Sen. Ebbin

By Katie Taranto

Published January 9, 2026 at 11:20PM | Updated January 11, 2026 at 4:55PM

State Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-39) reads a resolution at Alexandria's 275th birthday celebration along the waterfront in Old Town, July 13, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria Democrats have announced a firehouse primary to replace State Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-39), after he announced his resignation this week to fulfill a role in Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger’s administration.

The primary will be held from 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m. this Tuesday, Jan. 13, according to the Alexandria Democratic Committee — less than a week out from Ebbin’s Jan. 7 announcement. ADC announced the primary over social media around 11 p.m. Friday.

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Alexandria Democrats reorganize with new leadership during first meeting of 2026

By James Cullum

Published January 6, 2026 at 3:45PM

The Alexandria Democratic Committee elected new leadership at its first meeting of the year, Jan. 5, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

The Alexandria Democratic Committee voted in new leadership for two-year terms at its first organizational meeting of the year last night (Monday).

Longtime ADC member and former journalist Jon DeNunzio ran unopposed to succeed outgoing Chair Sandy Marks. He and more than a dozen ADC leadership positions were approved by members at the meeting, which was held in the cafeteria of Alexandria City High School’s King Street campus.

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Former Washington Post journalist running unopposed to lead Alexandria Democrats

By James Cullum

Published December 17, 2025 at 11:45AM

Jon DeNunzio is running unopposed for chair of the Alexandria Democratic Committee (courtesy of Jon DeNunzio)

Change is coming to the Alexandria Democratic Committee.

Jon DeNunzio, a former editor at The Washington Post and owner of a digital marketing firm, is running unopposed for ADC chair. Over the past nine years, he has held a number of ADC leadership positions, including corralling door-knockers for the Democrats to Go initiative, as well as coordinating volunteers and precinct operations in the West End.

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Sandy Marks, chair of the Alexandria Democratic Committee, won’t seek reelection

By James Cullum

Published November 5, 2025 at 3:45PM | Updated November 5, 2025 at 6:24PM

ADC Chair Sandy Marks speaks at the No Kings Rally at Market Square in Old Town, June 14, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

The day after Election Day, Sandy Marks said she felt good, satisfied and tired.

It’s been nearly four years since Marks was elected chair of the Alexandria Democratic Committee. After working for months to get Alexandria’s politicians reelected and help secure last night’s statewide Democratic wins, Marks is riding off into the proverbial sunset by stepping down and not seeking a third two-year term.

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‘This is day one’: Alexandria Democrats celebrate statewide wins with Rep. Beyer

By Katie Taranto

Published November 5, 2025 at 11:30AM

Alexandria Congressman Don Beyer (D-8th) speaks at an election night watch party at Pork Barrel BBQ in Del Ray, Nov. 4, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria’s Democrats celebrated a blue wave of election wins in Virginia yesterday (Tuesday) with a night of whoops, cheers and excitement in Del Ray.

Voters and local officials packed Pork Barrel BBQ, cheering on Democrats’ three high-profile statewide wins, including Abigail Spanberger for governor. They pointed to these as evidence that Democratic momentum is up and political tides are turning against President Donald Trump.

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PHOTOS: Market Square packed at ‘No Kings’ protest in Old Town

By James Cullum

Published October 18, 2025 at 7:32PM

The No Kings Rally at Market Square in Old Town, Oct. 18, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

An audience of thousands held signs and cheered as Alexandria leaders decried the Trump administration at the second No Kings rally outside City Hall on Saturday.

The first No Kings rally was held in June, albeit against a different backdrop of issues. Today’s event was held amid a shuttered federal government, increased crackdowns from U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement, and federal troops occupying cities across the country. The speakers today in Alexandria included U.S. Rep. Don Beyer (D-8th), Mayor Alyia Gaskins, retired general Randy Mannor and Del. Alfonso Lopez (D-3rd), all of whom railed against the administration, joining more than 2,700 similar demonstrations around the country.

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PHOTOS: Alexandria Democrats criticize Trump administration at annual Labor Day Picnic

By James Cullum

Published September 1, 2025 at 4:41PM | Updated September 1, 2025 at 10:00PM

The Alexandria Democratic Committee's 2025 Labor Day Picnic at The Garden Alexandria, 5380 Eisenhower Avenue, Sept. 1, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

The Alexandria Democratic Committee held its annual Labor Day Picnic this afternoon, and special guest speakers called on a fierce resistance against the Republican administration of President Donald Trump.

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Beyer, Gaskins, Jan. 6 officer Fanone to headline Alexandria Democrats’ Labor Day picnic

By Ryan Belmore

Published August 13, 2025 at 7:15PM | Updated August 14, 2025 at 1:25PM

Labor Day Picnic will include special guests Congressman Don Beyer, Mayor Alyia Gaskins, Officer Michael Fanone, and more. (Credit: Alexandria Democratic Committee)

The Alexandria Democratic Committee announced Tuesday in a newsletter to supporters that it will host its annual Labor Day picnic at a new indoor-outdoor venue this year, marking a shift from previous outdoor-only locations to ensure the event remains accessible regardless of weather conditions.

The picnic is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 1, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at The Garden Alexandria, located at 5380 Eisenhower Ave. in Alexandria.