Where the candidates stand: A look at the four Democrats running for Ebbin's Senate seat
Bennett-Parker, Levine, Jackson and Costen-Sumpter bring different backgrounds and priorities to Tuesday's firehouse primary
Four Democrats are making their case to voters ahead of Tuesday’s firehouse primary to replace state Sen. Adam Ebbin in District 39. Here’s what each candidate is highlighting on their campaign website, listed in ballot order.
Charles Costen-Sumpter
The nonprofit executive and World Wildlife Fund senior director for diversity, equity and inclusion is positioning himself as a progressive outsider. He helped found Safe Space NOVA, which provides housing and mental health services to LGBTQ+ youth.
Costen-Sumpter’s platform centers on four issues: affordable housing, mental health care, public schools and workforce development, and defending democracy against federal overreach. He emphasizes his personal experience growing up in New York City public housing and says he understands the affordability crisis firsthand.
Website: sumpterforvirginia.com
Amy Jackson
The former Alexandria vice mayor and career educator emphasizes her hometown roots — she attended Patrick Henry Elementary, Hammond Middle and T.C. Williams (now ACHS) before earning two master’s degrees while teaching in Fairfax County for 16 years.
Jackson’s site highlights her council accomplishments: passing Alexandria’s first collective bargaining ordinance, advocating for gun restrictions on city property and founding the city’s human trafficking awareness initiative. Her priorities include education funding, affordable housing, public safety, environmental protection and support for women and families.
Website: amyjacksonforva.com
Elizabeth Bennett-Parker
The two-term delegate and former Alexandria vice mayor is running on her legislative record, touting that she passed more bills than any Democratic freshman in her first term. Her website lists endorsements from Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger, Ebbin and dozens of local and state officials.
Bennett-Parker’s priorities include paid family leave, tax justice, early childhood education, reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ protections and climate action. She highlights her work as former chair of the Virginia Railway Express and her legislation on voting rights, disability access and protections for domestic violence survivors.
Website: elizabethforva.com
Mark Levine
The former delegate, who served from 2016 to 2022, leads his website with a deeply personal story: his sister Janet was murdered by her husband in 1996, an experience that drove him to write legislation protecting children from abusive parents in Tennessee and later Virginia.
Levine’s issues page spans 18 topics, including gun violence prevention, LGBTQ+ rights, police reform, criminal justice reform and government transparency. He founded the Virginia Transparency Caucus and touts his work livestreaming General Assembly proceedings. He positions himself as someone willing to take on difficult fights, noting death threats he received over an assault weapons bill.
Website: levineforvirginia.com
The firehouse primary is Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. District 39 voters can cast ballots at Beatley Library or Charles Houston Recreation Center in Alexandria, Aurora Hills Library in Arlington, or John Calvin Presbyterian Church in Annandale.
