Lineberry challenges Bennett-Parker to three Senate debates; Bennett-Parker open to 'virtual forum'
Republican calls for forums in Alexandria, Arlington and Fairfax; Democrat says she's focused on legislative session
This story was updated at 6:20 p.m. with a response from Delegate Bennett-Parker.
Republican Julie Lineberry on Tuesday challenged Democrat Elizabeth Bennett-Parker to three debates across Senate District 39, one in each jurisdiction the district covers.
The Alexandria Brief reached out to both candidates and invited them to live virtual one-on-one conversations, as well as a joint forum. In response, Bennett-Parker said she is open to a virtual forum but noted Lineberry’s challenge did not include proposed dates, times, topics, or moderators. Scheduling for both individual and joint conversations is underway.
“I would be glad to participate in a virtual forum organized and moderated by a neutral third party at a mutually agreed-upon date and time,” Bennett-Parker said in a statement. “Right now, my focus remains where it has always been: doing the work my constituents sent me to Richmond to do, listening to our community, and delivering results that move our Commonwealth forward.”
Lineberry’s challenge
In a press release issued Tuesday afternoon, Lineberry proposed holding one debate each in Alexandria, Arlington and Fairfax County before the Feb. 10 special election. She noted that half of Alexandria isn’t in Bennett-Parker’s current House district.
“My opponent and her fellow party members short-cut the processes and assumed an E-ZPass south down I-95 from District 39 to the State Senate,” Lineberry said. “I’m asking Elizabeth to slow down and show respect to her would-be constituents throughout the district and a willingness to earn their votes.
“Let’s give everyone at least one chance to see and hear BOTH candidates — listen to their priorities and positions.”
Bennett-Parker points to Richmond work
Bennett-Parker, who won the Jan. 13 Democratic firehouse primary with 70.6% of the vote, said she is focused on the legislative session but received Lineberry’s message late Tuesday afternoon — after the press release was issued.
“Late this afternoon, I received a message from Candidate Robben Lineberry after she issued a press release ‘challenging’ me to a debate,” Bennett-Parker said. “That message did not include any proposed dates, times, topics, or moderators.”
She pointed to her work in Richmond over the past week.
“In the past week, I passed a historic proposed constitutional amendment on voting rights out of the General Assembly, passed several bills out of subcommittee including legislation to provide free breakfast for students and two bills brought to me directly by constituents, and met with thirteen constituent groups,” she said.
Framing the race
Lineberry, a longtime Alexandria realtor with McEnearney Associates, was named the Republican nominee after she was the sole applicant and the party canceled its planned canvass. She has framed her campaign around affordability and serving as “an independent check on one-party rule in Richmond.”
When she announced her candidacy, Lineberry raised concerns about election integrity and the speed of the nominating process.
“I couldn’t sit back and let the high-jinx going on with this election go uncontested,” Lineberry said at the time. “It is time to draw the line. From gerrymandering to election manipulation, the political machine is undermining democracy for our citizens.”
Lineberry has deep roots in Republican politics — she worked in the White House personnel office during the Nixon and Ford administrations and later led the Alexandria Young Republicans and chaired the Alexandria Republican Committee. She served 10 years on the Alexandria Electoral Board and has been active in community organizations, including the Girl Scouts and TWIG, the Inova Alexandria Hospital Auxiliary.
The special election
The race will fill the seat vacated by Sen. Adam Ebbin, who is resigning Feb. 18 to join Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s administration as a senior advisor at the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority. Democrats hold a one-seat majority in the Virginia Senate.
District 39 includes all of Alexandria and portions of Arlington and Fairfax County. It has 151,411 registered voters.
Early voting begins Jan. 31. Election Day is Feb. 10.
Full statement from Julie Robben Lineberry
LINEBERRY CHALLENGES BENNETT-PARKER TO THREE DEBATES
“No E-ZPass to the State Senate; Show Respect to Your Would-Be Constituents”
ALEXANDRIA, VA: Julie Robben Lineberry today challenged her general election opponent to three debates across the 39th Senate District, one in each jurisdiction.
“My opponent and her fellow party members short-cut the processes and assumed an E-ZPass south down I-95 from District 39 to the State Senate. I’m asking Elizabeth to slow down and show respect to her would-be constituents throughout the district and a willingness to earn their votes. I propose we hold one debate in Alexandria (half of the city isn’t in her House District), one in Arlington, and one in Fairfax. Let’s give everyone at least one chance to see and hear BOTH candidates -- listen to their priorities and positions.”
Julie Lineberry is the Republican nominee in the February 10, 2026, special election to replace State Senator Adam Ebbin in Virginia’s 39th Senate District. She has spent 45 years helping families find homes here—and a lifetime giving back to this community. She is running to fight for affordability and to be an independent check on one-party rule in Richmond.
The 39th Senate District includes the city of Alexandria and parts of Arlington and Fairfax County.
Delegate Bennett-Parker provided The Alexandria Brief with the following statement
“I am currently in Richmond for the legislative session while also working to connect with voters across Senate District 39 ahead of the February 10 general election.
In the past week, I passed a historic proposed constitutional amendment on voting rights out of the General Assembly, passed several bills out of subcommittee including legislation to provide free breakfast for students and two bills brought to me directly by constituents, and met with thirteen constituent groups.
Late this afternoon, I received a message from Candidate Robben Lineberry after she issued a press release “challenging” me to a debate. That message did not include any proposed dates, times, topics, or moderators.
I would be glad to participate in a virtual forum organized and moderated by a neutral third party at a mutually agreed-upon date and time.
Right now, my focus remains where it has always been: doing the work my constituents sent me to Richmond to do, listening to our community, and delivering results that move our Commonwealth forward.”