Innnnteresting…a primary by Alexandria Vice Mayor Elizabeth Bennett-Parker (who I endorsed when she ran for City Council in 2018, and who I find VERY impressive) against Del. Mark Levine (D-HD45), who is running for Lt. Governor but has said he’s not stepping down from his House of Delegates seat.
Vice Mayor Elizabeth Bennett-Parker Announces Candidacy for House of Delegates District 45
Alexandria, VA – Today, Alexandria Vice Mayor Elizabeth Bennett-Parker, a non-profit leader and small business creator, announced her candidacy for the Virginia House of Delegates. She is running in the 45th District, currently represented by Delegate Levine, who is running for Lieutenant Governor.
“I am excited to announce my candidacy for the Virginia House of Delegates today. I am running because I understand the challenges families in Northern Virginia face, especially in this pandemic,” Bennett-Parker said. “I want to be a part of the solution by ensuring all Northern Virginians have access to good jobs with worker protections, helping small businesses thrive, making sure families have access to quality care and education for their children from early childhood onwards, and taking urgent action to protect our environment and build an infrastructure to respond to climate change.”
“As the caregiver for my grandmother during this pandemic, I also know firsthand the challenges so many around Northern Virginia have been facing when it comes to caring for our seniors. Families, workers, educators, and students continue to struggle with the pandemic’s impact, and they deserve an advocate in Richmond.” Bennett-Parker continued.
Born in Alexandria to two Naval officers, Elizabeth is dedicated to serving her community. She was elected to the Alexandria City Council in November 2018, becoming the 12th woman elected and the youngest woman elected to Council in Alexandria’s history. In addition to her role on City Council, Elizabeth serves the region as the incoming Chair of the Virginia Railway Express, and as a member of the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission and the Northern Virginia Regional Commission.
She was selected as one of Alexandria’s 40 under 40 in 2017. She served on the Community Criminal Justice Board and the Commission on Employment, as well as the boards of the Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food and Agriculture, Agenda:Alexandria, and the United Way Regional Council.
Elizabeth is one of the co-leaders of Together We Bake, a non-profit job training and personal development program for underserved women.
She served as a Fulbright Fellow, graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Cornell University, and received a Master’s Degree from the University of London. She and her husband, Stephen, live in the Rosemont neighborhood of Alexandria with Elizabeth’s grandmother and their rescue dog and cat. For more information, please visit www.elizabethfordelegate.com.
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