politics | ALXnow

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

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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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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Jones text scandal, ice cream assault case lead Alexandria’s top stories

By James Cullum

Published October 10, 2025 at 3:30PM

Democrat Jay Jones speaks in Richmond during his 2024 campaign kickoff for attorney general. Jones is now facing bipartisan backlash over newly surfaced text messages containing violent remarks about a former Republican House speaker. (Photo by Markus Schmidt/Virginia Mercury)

Welcome to Friday, Alexandria! Here’s a look at ALXnow’s top stories of the week.

With less than a month until the Nov. 4 general election, this week’s most-read story is on the controversy surrounding Virginia’s Democratic attorney general candidate Jay Jones. The National Review broke the news last Friday (Oct. 3) that in August 2022, Jones sent text messages to Del. Carrie Coyner (R-75), “fantasizing about shooting then-House Speaker Todd Gilbert and his children,” according to the Virginia Mercury story posted on ALXnow.

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Alexandria councilman repays city $820 for taxpayer-funded mailer

By Ryan Belmore and James Cullum

Published August 14, 2025 at 3:00PM

Alexandria City Council Member Abdel Elnoubi (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria City Councilman Abdel-Rahman Elnoubi has reimbursed the city $820.33 after using taxpayer funds to mail a letter to constituents that highlighted his accomplishments during his first six months in office.

The four-page letter, sent on official city letterhead, detailed Elnoubi’s role in various city initiatives, including student transportation improvements, budget passage, housing plans, and infrastructure projects. When questioned about the appropriateness of using public resources for communication, Elnoubi acknowledged potential concerns and stated that he had voluntarily repaid the city with a check.

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Alexandria Mayor Gaskins endorses Fairfax County Planning Commissioner Candice Bennett for Virginia’s open 11th Congressional District seat

By James Cullum

Published June 26, 2025 at 10:30AM

Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins has endorse Fairfax County Planning Commissioner Candice Bennett in the dpecial election for Virginia's 11th Congressional District (via Facebook)

Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins has endorsed Fairfax County Planning Commissioner Candice Bennett in the special election for Virginia’s open 11th Congressional District seat.

There are 10 Democrats and seven Republicans vying for the seat, following the death of U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly in May. Both the 11th District Democratic Committee and the 11th Congressional District Republican Committee have chosen Saturday, June 28, as the primary date to choose their respective candidates. The special election will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 9.

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Here’s the last available voting turnout numbers in Alexandria before polls close

By James Cullum

Published June 17, 2025 at 5:00PM | Updated June 18, 2025 at 6:04AM

The 4 p.m. count on primary day, June 17, 2025 (via City of Alexandria)

There’s less than three hours before polls close in Alexandria.

Here’s how the numbers are looking, as of 4 p.m.:

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‘I will punch back’ against Trump administration, Stoney says in Alexandria as Dem primary nears

By James Cullum

Published June 7, 2025 at 5:46PM | Updated June 18, 2025 at 6:05AM

Levar Stoney, one of six candidates running for the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor on June 17, speaks at a meet-and-greet in Old Town, June 7, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

With only 10 days left until the June 17 Democratic primary, former Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney stopped in Alexandria Saturday afternoon for a meet-and-greet with some of his most influential Northern Virginia supporters.

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Beyer, Herring, Ebbin launch speaking tour to combat billions in threatened federal health care cuts

By James Cullum

Published May 30, 2025 at 12:15PM

U.S. Rep. Don Beyer (D-8th) at the ribbon cutting for Metro's Integrated Command and Communications Center in Alexandria's Carlyle neighborhood, Oct. 27, 2023 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Facing billions in federal health care cuts in Virginia, Alexandria Congressman Don Beyer (D-8) is joining Virginia House Majority Leader Charniele Herring (D-4) and State Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-39) next week for three in-person panel discussions across Virginia.

The $715 billion in federal health care cuts would impact Medicaid and Planned Parenthood. The trio of Northern Virginia legislators will hold their first panel at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, June 2, at the Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Central Library (5005 Duke St, Alexandria). The trio will then conduct similar panels later in the day in Norfolk and Richmond.

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Alexandria City Council passes $956.5 million FY 2026 Budget amid ‘time of great uncertainty’

By James Cullum

Published April 30, 2025 at 9:05PM

Alexandria City Council approves the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget, April 30, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Against a backdrop of political and economic uncertainty, Alexandria’s City Council unanimously adopted its $956.5 million operating budget.

City Manager Jim Parajon said it was challenging crafting a budget that keeps city services without increasing real estate or property taxes. The city’s budget grew 3.2% over the current fiscal year, with its largest line item being a fully-funded Alexandria City Public Schools, as well as significant stormwater management funding for the city’s $2.1 billion FY 2026 – 2035 Capital Improvement Program.

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Who will be the Democratic nominees for Lt. Governor and Attorney General? Early voting begins on Friday

By Ryan Belmore

Published April 28, 2025 at 1:00PM | Updated June 18, 2025 at 6:06AM

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

Virginia’s voting season is gearing up, with early voting starting on Friday, May 2, ahead of the June 17 Democratic Primary Election.

Voters will choose nominees for Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General in the upcoming Primary.