Alexandria Republicans name Julie Robbens Lineberry as Senate nominee; cancel canvass
Late-night announcement Monday comes as Democrats hold firehouse primary for pivotal 39th District Special election
Alexandria Republicans announced late Monday that they have canceled a planned party canvass and selected longtime community volunteer Julie Robbens Lineberry as their nominee for an upcoming special election in Virginia’s 39th Senate District.
The Alexandria Republican City Committee sent an email at 11:11 p.m. Monday canceling a Jan. 13 canvass that had been scheduled at party headquarters in Old Town. Instead, the party named Lineberry as its nominee for the Feb. 10 special election.
The vacancy was created by the resignation of Democratic Sen. Adam Ebbin, who is stepping down effective Feb. 18 to take a position in Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s administration. The election comes as Democrats hold a one-seat majority in the Virginia Senate, with the legislative session beginning Wednesday.
According to the Alexandria Republican City Committee, Lineberry is a longtime Alexandria resident, local realtor, and community volunteer who has worked in Alexandria, Arlington, and Fairfax for more than 40 years. Her background includes leadership roles with Girl Scout troops and service units, involvement with TWIG, the Inova Alexandria Hospital Auxiliary, participation in civic associations, and 10 years of service on the Alexandria Electoral Board.
The Republican announcement came amid an accelerated Democratic nominating process. Three Democratic candidates — Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker, former Del. Mark Levine and activist Charles Costen-Sumpter — debated Monday night before a standing-room-only crowd at Charles Houston Recreation Center, one day ahead of Tuesday’s firehouse primary. Former Alexandria Vice Mayor Amy Jackson did not attend the debate.
Democrats are selecting their nominee on Tuesday at four voting locations across Alexandria, Arlington, and Annandale. The Democratic nominee will face Lineberry in the Feb. 10 special election to fill Ebbin’s seat.
