By Shirleen Guerra | The Center Square
(The Center Square) – Democrats and Republicans are moving forward with party-run nominating processes in Virginia’s 39th Senate District following Sen. Adam Ebbin’s decision to leave the General Assembly to join Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger’s administration.
Ebbin, a Northern Virginia Democrat who has represented parts of Alexandria, Arlington and Fairfax County for more than two decades, has said he will resign his Senate seat effective Feb. 18 as he transitions into a senior advisory role with the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority.
On Friday, Senate President Pro Tempore L. Louise Lucas announced the call for a special election for Feb. 10 to fill the Senate District 39 seat.
The Alexandria Democratic Committee announced it will hold an unassembled caucus, commonly known as a firehouse primary, to select the party’s nominee. Four Democrats are listed on the ballot: Charles Sumpter, Amy Jackson, Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker and former Del. Mark Levine.
Sumpter is a nonprofit executive and co-founder of Safe Space NOVA, a Northern Virginia organization focused on housing and mental health services for LGBTQ youth. Jackson is an Alexandria community activist and former educator in Fairfax County Public Schools, who has served on multiple local commissions and boards.
Bennett-Parker represents House District 5 in the House of Delegates and previously served as Alexandria’s vice mayor. Levine previously represented parts of Arlington and Alexandria in the House of Delegates.
Republicans are also using a party-run process to select their nominee. Party officials have called a special party canvas for the district, which includes all of Alexandria and portions of Arlington and Fairfax counties. As of publication, no Republican candidates have publicly announced their candidacy.
As previously reported by The Center Square, the special election follows Ebbin’s appointment to the incoming Spanberger administration ahead of her Jan. 17 inauguration.
Ebbin has served in the General Assembly since 2004, first in the House of Delegates and later in the Senate, where he currently serves as vice chair of the Senate Democratic Caucus.
The Feb. 10 special election will determine who will next represent Senate District 39.