Elizabeth Bennett-Parker

‘Faith in Housing’ bill on by-right affordable housing will require new ordinance in Alexandria

Published May 18, 2026 at 3:45PM

Virginia State Capitol in Richmond (staff photo)

A bill allowing church-based by-right housing development and several other laws passed during the 2026 Virginia General Assembly will require or allow local action, according to a presentation to Alexandria City Council last week (May 12).

Wendy Ginsberg, the city’s legislative director, provided an update on key bills the city has been tracking or will be impacted by during City Council’s May 12 meeting. Virginia is a Dillon Rule state, which means localities can only use authority granted through state law.

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Alexandria NAACP, elected officials slam Virginia Supreme Court’s redistricting ruling

By Emily Leayman and The Associated Press

Published May 11, 2026 at 1:45PM

Signs supporting and opposing redistricting on April 6, 2026 in Old Town Alexandria (staff photo by James Cullum)

Elected officials representing Alexandria have joined the Alexandria NAACP in condemning the Virginia Supreme Court’s overturning of the redistricting referendum.

Voters had narrowly approved the referendum to redraw Virginia’s congressional districts — with 51.69% in favor — on April 21. The Virginia Supreme Court struck down the voter-approved constitutional amendment in a 4-3 ruling Friday (May 8), with the majority citing procedural violations in how the amendment was placed on the ballot.

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Spanberger signs Alexandria legislators’ bills on guns, immigration, national popular vote

By Emily Leayman

Published April 14, 2026 at 12:30PM | Updated April 14, 2026 at 1:43PM

(Left to right) Virginia House Majority Leader Del. Charniele Herring (D-4th), State Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-39th) and Del. Alfonso Lopez (D-3rd) at the Alexandria Democratic Committee's Labor Day Picnic at The Garden Alexandria, 5380 Eisenhower Avenue, Sept. 1, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Numerous pieces of legislation from Alexandria lawmakers are officially set to become law or are heading back to the General Assembly with amendments after action by Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D).

Among the approximately 1,200 bills passed out of the 2026 session, legislation on guns, housing, the national popular vote, energy and immigration enforcement all came by way of state senators and delegates representing Alexandria. Most signed bills will take effect on July 1, 2026, unless otherwise specified.

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Alexandria City Council candidates face two forums this week as special election nears

By James Cullum

Published April 6, 2026 at 3:45PM

(Left to right) City Council candidates Alison O'Connell, Frank Fannon and Sandy Marks at the West End Business Association's forum at Feru Bar and Restaurant, March 25, 2026 (via Sandy Marks for the City/Facebook)

The three candidates running for an open seat on Alexandria City Council will meet in two forums this week.

For most voters, the upcoming appearances on Wednesday (April 8) and Saturday (April 11) are the last opportunity to see the candidates together before the special election on Tuesday, April 21. The candidates, who last appeared together at a forum on March 26, are Democratic candidate Sandy Marks and independent candidates Alison O’Connell and Frank Fannon.

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Sen. Bennett-Parker pulled off a busy session amid transition to Va. Senate

By Emily Leayman

Published March 27, 2026 at 2:45PM

State Sen.-elect Elizabeth Bennett-Parker (D-39) speaks to supporters on the night of her special election, Feb. 10, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

The General Assembly session that wrapped up in mid-March was an especially busy one for state Sen. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker (D-39).

In addition to introducing legislation and other regular duties, Bennett-Parker ran a mid-session campaign to replace former state Sen. Adam Ebbin in Senate District 39. The former delegate won the Feb. 10 special election in the district, which covers Alexandria and parts of Arlington and Fairfax counties.

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Democratic City Council candidate Sandy Marks lays out stakes in upcoming special election

By James Cullum

Published March 2, 2026 at 1:00PM

Sandy Marks, the Democratic nominee for the open City Council seat, at St. Elmo's Coffee Pub in Del Ray (staff photo by James Cullum)

Fresh from her recent Democratic firehouse primary win, City Council candidate Sandy Marks says there’s a lot on the line in the upcoming special election.

Marks is facing independent candidates Frank Fannon and Alison O’Connell in the race, which is slated to coincide with a proposed constitutional amendment to redraw Virginia’s congressional districts.

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JUST IN: Elizabeth Bennett-Parker wins decisive victory in special election for State Senate

By Katie Taranto and James Cullum

Published February 10, 2026 at 9:30PM

State Sen.-elect Elizabeth Bennett-Parker (D-39) speaks to supporters on the night of her special election, Feb. 10, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker (D-5) is getting a promotion in Richmond.

Voters in today’s special election gave the Democrat a sweeping victory against Republican Julie Robben Lineberry for a seat in the State Senate. The outgoing delegate received a decisive 83% of the vote, setting her up to succeed Sen. Adam Ebbin as he joins Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s administration.

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Ballots in Tuesday’s special election include races for State Senate, House of Delegates

By James Cullum

Published February 9, 2026 at 2:00PM | Updated February 9, 2026 at 3:48PM

Casting a ballot at the Mount Vernon Recreation Center precinct on election day, Nov. 7, 2023 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Election Day is just around the corner in Alexandria. Here’s what to know about Tuesday’s special elections for State Senate and the House of Delegates.

Ballots tomorrow will include races for Virginia’s 39th District in the State Senate and 5th District in the House of Delegates. The following candidates are running.

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Alexandria election officers, political parties rise to challenge of upcoming special elections

By Emily Leayman

Published February 6, 2026 at 10:30AM

Voters wait in line at the firehouse primary at Charles Houston Recreation Center in Old Town, Jan. 13, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria has experienced a domino effect of incoming special elections since last month, but city election officials and political party leaders are rising to the challenge amid tight deadlines.

Next Tuesday, voters will decide on special elections for seats in Virginia’s 5th House District and the 39th Senate District. Eventually, they’ll also select a new member of City Council, as Councilman R. Kirk McPike departs the post Monday to run for delegate.

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Del. Bennett-Parker expresses interest in debate with Lineberry in State Senate race

By Katie Taranto

Published January 21, 2026 at 10:30AM

Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker reads a proclamation at Art on the Avenue in Del Ray, Oct. 4, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker has expressed interest in participating in a virtual forum after special election opponent Julie Robben Lineberry proposed a series of debates yesterday (Tuesday).

Lineberry, the Republican nominee, “challenged” Bennett-Parker to participate in three debates in a press release yesterday afternoon. In a statement to ALXnow, Bennett-Parker said Lineberry contacted her after publicizing the challenge.

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Alexandria Republicans nominate Mason Butler in special election for House of Delegates seat

By James Cullum

Published January 20, 2026 at 11:00AM

Mason Butler is running for Virginia's 5th House District (via Alexandria Republican City Committee/Facebook)

The winner of today’s Democratic firehouse primary for a seat in the House of Delegates will run against Republican Mason Butler next month.

The Alexandria Republican City Committee canceled its party canvas and announced Butler’s candidacy over the weekend. Butler, an IT consultant who has lived in Alexandria for more than a decade, previously ran as an independent candidate for City Council in 2024.