(The Center Square) – Another Virginia special election is expected after Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger tapped Sen. Adam Ebbin to join her administration as a senior advisor at the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority.
Ebbin, a Northern Virginia Democrat who has represented parts of Alexandria, Arlington and Fairfax County for more than two decades, said he will resign his Senate seat effective Feb. 18. His departure will open a special election in Senate District 39.
In announcing the move, Ebbin said he submitted his resignation and will begin his new role in mid-February. He has served in the General Assembly since 2004, first in the House of Delegates and later in the Senate, where he currently serves as vice chair of the Senate Democratic Caucus.
The opening quickly drew interest from potential successors.
Former Del. Mark Levine announced he was running for the seat within hours of Ebbin’s announcement. In a social media post, Levine said the special election could happen soon and urged voters across Alexandria, Arlington and Fairfax County to prepare for a short campaign.
Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker also entered the race, confirming her candidacy later the same day. Bennett-Parker represents House District 5 and previously served as vice mayor of Alexandria. Her campaign launch included endorsements from several Democratic leaders, including Senate President Pro Tempore Louise Lucas, Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell and House Speaker Don Scott.
Ebbin’s exit comes as Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger builds out her incoming administration ahead of taking office later this month.
Ebbin’s appointment places him at the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority after years of legislative work on marijuana policy in the General Assembly. He was a patron of legislation that decriminalized marijuana in 2020 and later supported the law that legalized possession in Virginia. Lawmakers, however, have not yet approved legislation creating a regulated retail marketplace for adult-use cannabis.
In a written statement announcing his appointment, Ebbin said the lack of a retail system has left cannabis sales outside a regulated, age-verified market and said future policy should focus on moving sales “off the street corner and behind the age-verified counter.”
