Elizabeth Bennett-Parker | ALXnow

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

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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JUST IN: Bennett-Parker wins Democratic firehouse primary for State Senate seat

By James Cullum

Published January 14, 2026 at 2:35AM | Updated January 14, 2026 at 8:35AM

Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker speaks to a voter outside Charles Houston Recreation Center in Old Town, across from opponent, former Del. Mark Levine, with his dog, Falafel, on his left shoulder, on the day of the firehouse primary for Virginia's 39th Senate District, Jan. 13, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker (D-5) has been declared the winner in a firehouse primary for Virginia’s 39th District Senate seat, defeating three opponents with 70.6% of the 4,647 ballots cast.

Bennett Parker received 3,281 votes, followed by former Del. Mark Levine with 807 votes (17.4%), Charles Sumpter with 321 votes (6.9%) and former Vice Mayor Amy Jackson with 238 votes (5.1%), according to ballots counted by the Alexandria Democratic Committee.

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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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Major Democratic players rush to back Del. Bennett-Parker for Ebbin’s Senate seat

By Scott McCaffrey

Published January 8, 2026 at 3:45PM

(Left to right) Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker (D-5th) speaks in support of Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) alongside Virginia House of Delegates Majority Leader Charniele Herring (D-4th) and State Senate Majority Leader Sen. Scott Surovell (D-34th), April 5, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

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.

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Political domino effect hits Alexandria as Sen. Ebbin resigns to join Spanberger administration

By James Cullum

Published January 7, 2026 at 9:20PM | Updated January 7, 2026 at 9:45PM

State Sen. Adam Ebbin speaks at the No Kings Rally at Market Square in Old Town, June 14, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Rumors in Alexandria have finally been confirmed as State Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-39) announced Wednesday night that he will be resigning to join Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger’s administration.

Ebbin will be the senior advisor at the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority, according to a press release, and his resignation will go into effect Feb. 18. Soon after Ebbin’s announcement, Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker (D-5) and former Del. Mark Levine (D-45) announced their intention to run for Ebbin’s seat.

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PHOTOS: Thousands turn out for Del Ray’s 29th annual Halloween parade

By James Cullum

Published October 26, 2025 at 5:28PM | Updated October 26, 2025 at 8:19PM

The Del Ray Halloween Parade, Oct. 26, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Thousands of superheroes, witches, princesses, and other costumed revelers attended the 29th annual Del Ray Halloween Parade along Mount Vernon Avenue Sunday afternoon.

The grand marshal of the parade was Mount Vernon Community School 5th grader Linci Campos Cifuentes, who rode with her principal along the parade route. The event is one of the best Halloween parades in the country, according to USA Today.

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Early voting begins Sept. 19 in Alexandria for statewide races

By James Cullum

Published September 9, 2025 at 1:30PM

A voting sign at the Alexandria Registrar of Voters, 132 N. Royal Street, in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

Early voting for November’s general election starts on Friday, Sept. 19, across Virginia. Here’s what you need to know in Alexandria.

Early voting starts 45 days before election day, and the only contested elections voters can decide on in Alexandria are for the Virginia governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general.

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With just two Democratic races on the ballot, Alexandria’s early primary votes start trickling in

By James Cullum

Published May 8, 2025 at 12:15PM | Updated June 18, 2025 at 6:05AM

'I voted' stickers on Election Day in Alexandria, Nov. 5, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

There are only 40 days left until the June 17 Democratic primary for Virginia lieutenant governor and attorney general, and early votes are trickling in in Alexandria.

Early voting started on May 2, and 7,309 mail-in ballots were sent to early voters, according Alexandria’s election dashboard. So far, 71 Alexandria residents have cast in-person ballots, and 19 have returned mail-in ballots.

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Northern Virginia legislators decry Youngkin’s veto on bill limiting firearm transfers from domestic abusers

By James Cullum

Published March 25, 2025 at 12:30PM | Updated March 25, 2025 at 3:14PM

Gov. Glenn Youngkin speaks at the Virginia Tech Innovation Campus ribbon cutting, Feb. 28, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Northern Virginia legislators are decrying Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s recent veto of a bill to keep firearms from the homes of domestic abusers.

Youngkin vetoed 157 bills on Monday (March 24), including Sen. Barbara Favola’s (D-40) Senate Bill 744 and Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker’s House Bill 1960 — identical pieces of legislation that amend existing Virginia law by removing firearms from the hands of convicted domestic abusers.

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Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker named most progressive legislator in Virginia; files reelection paperwork

By James Cullum

Published March 20, 2025 at 3:50PM | Updated March 20, 2025 at 4:18PM

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

On the heels of being named the most progressive legislator in Virginia, Alexandria Delegate Elizabeth Bennett-Parker (D-5th) just filed paperwork for a third two-year term in office.

Bennett-Parker says that her recent designation from the Virginia Progressive Legislative Alert Network (VAPLAN) reflects a commitment to Alexandria’s values.

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ACPS and the City of Alexandria honor essential workers

By James Cullum

Published March 19, 2025 at 1:00PM | Updated March 19, 2025 at 2:29PM

Douglas MacArthur Elementary School students cheer essential workers, Wednesday, March 19, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

On Wednesday morning (March 19), cheering children honored the people who actually make Alexandria run at Douglas MacArthur Elementary School.

The event honoring essential workers marked the culmination of the fourth annual Alexandria City Essential Workers Appreciation Week.