Alexandria, VA – Alexandria voters will head to the polls on Tuesday, Feb. 10, for an unusual set of two overlapping special elections, the result of a rapid reshuffling of local and state political offices.
The first race is for Virginia Senate District 39, which includes all of Alexandria and parts of Arlington and Fairfax. The seat opened after Senator Adam Ebbin announced his resignation. Democrats chose Virginia Delegate Elizabeth Bennett-Parker in a party “firehouse” primary, while Republicans selected Julie Robben Lineberry. The winner will fill the remainder of Ebbin’s term.
At the same time, Bennett-Parker’s decision to run for the Senate created a vacancy in Virginia House of Delegates District 5, which represents Alexandria. Democrats chose Kirk McPike, an Alexandria City Council member, as their nominee. He will face Republican Mason Butler in the Feb. 10 special election.
If McPike is elected to the House of Delegates, state law would require him to resign from his longtime position as chief of staff to U.S. Congressman Mark Takano (D-CA). An election victory would also result in McPike stepping down from Alexandria City Council, triggering another special election later this year.
Tim Laderach and Sandy Marks have both announced intentions to run for McPike’s City Council seat.
For more information, visit alexandriava.gov/Elections
