Senate candidates to debate tonight ahead of Tuesday's firehouse primary
Bennett-Parker, Levine, Jackson and Costen-Sumpter to face off at Charles Houston Recreation Center
The four Democrats running to replace state Sen. Adam Ebbin will square off tonight at Charles Houston Recreation Center, giving voters one last chance to hear from the candidates before Tuesday’s firehouse primary.
The debate begins at 7 p.m. at 901 Wythe St. and is hosted by the Alexandria Democratic Committee.
Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker, attorney Mark Levine, former Alexandria Vice Mayor Amy Jackson and activist Charles Costen-Sumpter are competing for the Democratic nomination in Senate District 39, which covers all of Alexandria and parts of Arlington and Fairfax County.
Ebbin announced last week he is resigning to join Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger’s administration.
Bennett-Parker has secured endorsements from Spanberger, Ebbin and numerous local officials. She defeated Levine in a 2021 House of Delegates primary, setting up a rematch between the two.
Jackson, who served as Alexandria’s vice mayor, ran for mayor in 2024 against current Mayor Alyia Gaskins. Costen-Sumpter, founder of Safe Space NOVA, is running as a progressive outsider with a platform focused on affordable mental health care, housing stability and protecting immigrant communities.
The firehouse primary is Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. District 39 voters can cast ballots at Beatley Library at 5005 Duke St. or Charles Houston Recreation Center at 901 Wythe St. Voters should bring ID.
The winner will be the Democratic nominee in the Feb. 10 special election.
