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Four candidates file for Ebbin's Senate seat; firehouse primary is Tuesday

Bennett-Parker, Levine rematch joined by former Vice Mayor Jackson and activist Costen-Sumpter

,   and  Ryan Belmore
3 min read

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Four Democrats filed to run for state Sen. Adam Ebbin’s seat ahead of Sunday’s deadline, setting up a four-way race in Tuesday’s firehouse primary.

In ballot order, the candidates are Charles Costen-Sumpter, Amy Jackson, Elizabeth Bennett-Parker, and Mark Levine.

Bennett-Parker, who defeated Levine in a 2021 House of Delegates primary, has rolled out endorsements from Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger, Ebbin and numerous local officials across Alexandria, Arlington and Fairfax County.

Levine, an attorney who served in the House of Delegates from 2016 to 2022, is making his second bid against Bennett-Parker.

Jackson, former Alexandria vice mayor, ran for mayor in 2024 against current Mayor Alyia Gaskins.

Costen-Sumpter, founder of Safe Space NOVA, a nonprofit providing housing and mental health services to displaced LGBTQ+ youth, is positioning himself as a progressive outsider. His platform includes affordable mental health care, housing stability and protecting immigrant communities.

If Bennett-Parker wins, it could trigger a cascade of special elections. Alexandria City Councilman Kirk McPike said he is “strongly considering” running for her House seat, which would also create a City Council vacancy. Alexandria voters could head to the polls as many as four times in 2026 — or three times if the council vacancy is filled on the November ballot.

District 39 includes portions of Alexandria, Arlington and Fairfax County. Voters can check their district at vote.elections.virginia.gov.

The firehouse primary is Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. at four locations:

  • Beatley Central Library, 5005 Duke St., Alexandria
  • Charles Houston Recreation Center, 901 Wythe St., Alexandria
  • Aurora Hills Library, 735 18th St. South, Arlington
  • John Calvin Presbyterian Church, 6531 Columbia Pike, Annandale

District 39 voters may vote at any location. The winner will be the Democratic nominee in the Feb. 10 special election.

A firehouse primary will be held on Tuesday, January 13, 2026. (Alexandria Democratic Committee)
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