Dems Launch Campaigns for State Senate

Adam Ebbin, Libby Garvey and Rob Krupicka officially announced their campaigns for Virginia’s 30th District Senate seat in a series of short addresses at Monday night’s Alexandria Democratic Committee meeting.

Ebbin, the state delegate from the 49th district, spoke of his record upholding “Northern Virginia’s progressive tradition” and his experience in Richmond.

“If you send me, I’m ready to hit the ground running,” Ebbin said.

Ebbin highlighted his opposition to Gov. Bob McDonnell’s recent transportation plan, which was to take $150 million from the state’s general fund that would have otherwise gone to education, public safety and other fields.

Ebbin also spoke of his longstanding relationship with Patsy Ticer, the current senator from the 30th District. Ticer announced her retirement last month, opening the door for the Aug. 23 primary.

Ticer recently gave her endorsement to Garvey, a longtime member of the Arlington School Board.

During her remarks, Garvey—who lives on the Arlington-Alexandria border in Fairlington—briefed the Alexandria Democrats on her background personally and professionally.

She lost her first bid for school board in 1995 but won the following year. She has chaired the board four times and has overseen the rebuilding or remodeling of every school in Arlington and has kept the construction “on time and on budget.”

Garvey also called herself a “survivor,” speaking frankly about her recent battle with breast cancer as well as the loss of her husband Keenan.

“Family, community and public service are what keep me going,” she said. “… I’ve done all I can as a member of the school board. I need to be in Richmond.”

Krupicka delivered a similar stump speech to the one he debuted at , affirming that his campaign will emphasize education, health, energy and small business growth. But the councilman took a more serious and passionate tone on Monday. The Del Ray resident refused the dais, instead pacing on the front of the stage.

He detailed some of the things Alexandria has achieved as a city since he joined the council in 2003, including the acquisition of open space, some gains in the fight to clean up the Mirant power plant, the swell of people returning to live in the city and a transportation master plan.

“I’m proud of the things we’ve done together as a community,” he said. “I want to make sure there are people in Richmond who can understand them, who can articulate them and fight for them.”

Krupicka again pledged to give “everyone a seat at the table” and said he “repudiated” the politics of those that would deny people a seat based on race or sexual orientation.

The councilman recently received endorsements from Alexandria Mayor Bill Euille and Vola Lawson, a former city manager.

Notes — Arlington Democratic precinct captain Stephanie Clifford announced she will run for the seat in the 49th district being vacated by Ebbin. Clifford, who works for the Podesta Group, is the first person to throw their name into the race. … Sen. Dick Saslaw (35th District) announced he will run again. “I’m not walking out and letting the inmates run the asylum,” he said. … Edward Semonian, Alexandria's clerk of the circuit court since 1980, announced he will be running for that post again. … Del. Charniele Herring announced she is running again in the 46th district, though the new boundaries of the district have yet to be revealed.