Sen. Ebbin scores victory as his transit-funding panel sends its plan to legislature
By Scott McCaffrey
Published November 7, 2025
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For Sen. Adam Ebbin, the task of securing dedicated revenue streams for Northern Virginia transit is now 50% complete, as the region’s transit subcommittee approved a new spending package proposal this week.

In conversations with the Northern Virginia Growing Needs of Public Transit Joint Subcommittee, Ebbin (D-39) successfully shepherded near-unanimous support for the package, which calls for $400 million annually in new spending.

If approved, the package would shore up funding for the Metro system, Virginia Railway Express and local transit agencies in a swath running from the inner Northern Virginia suburbs west to Loudoun County and south to Spotsylvania County.

Next stop for the proposal will be the 2026 legislative session, which opens in mid-January and is slated to run for 60 days.

“We are committed to getting something passed,” Ebbin said at the Nov. 6 meeting of the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) board of directors.

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Here’s the redistricting plan Virginia Democrats want voters to approve
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Here’s the redistricting plan Virginia Democrats want voters to approve
October 29, 2025

Democrats argued that’s precisely why they propose opening this process.

“Potentially giving the voters a choice to revisit their past decision in a small way under extraordinary circumstances undermines no one,” said Sen. Adam P. Ebbin (D-Alexandria).

Debate quickly turned to Virginia’s role in the founding of American democracy, with Democrats saying the state must now act to preserve it from the actions of Trump.​
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Senator Ebbin pens a guest column to discuss GOP nominee Earle-Sears' desire to roll back gay rights.

InsideNoVa: Guest Column: Earle-Sears wants to roll back gay rights

As the first openly gay member of the House of Delegates and later the first openly gay state senator, one of my priorities has always been fighting for the rights of all Virginians – no matter who they love.

Throughout my career, we’ve made significant progress. I went from being the first and only gay legislator to one of many. And members of both sides of the aisle have fought to protect gay rights.

As we took each step forward, there were people who wanted to push back, and it’s been up to us to protect our progress.

This November that’s on the line. Winsome Earle-Sears, the GOP candidate for governor, wants to roll back the rights of gay Virginians.

In an unearthed candidate survey, Sears pledged to support letting Virginians get fired for being gay – meaning she wants employers to be able to fire, demote or deny someone a job because of their sexual orientation.

It’s dangerous. It’s outright illegal. And it’s horrifying that Sears believes she should be able to strip Virginians of their legal workplace protections. She wants to go back to a time where Virginians can lose their jobs because of who they are and who they love.

We cannot let that happen. This is supposed to be a commonwealth of opportunity. Everybody should have a chance to succeed, regardless of who they are, what they look like, where they live or who they love.

Read the full column here.

Today, Senator Adam Ebbin released the below statement following new reporting that Winsome Earle-Sears said that she would oppose workplace protections for gay people, block same-sex couples from adopting children, and that she believes being gay is an “immoral lifestyle choice.”

“I am horrified that Winsome Earle-Sears – as she makes clear in this survey – opposes same-sex marriages, adoptions, and workplace protections for gay people, and believes that being gay is an ‘immoral lifestyle choice.’ It’s especially concerning that since this survey was unearthed, Sears has refused to comment – suggesting nothing has changed about her position. 
 
“As a Virginian and the first openly gay member of the General Assembly, I believe we must protect the fundamental freedoms of Virginians, no matter who they are or who they love. And every Virginian deserves a Governor who will always stand up for them. It’s clear Winsome Earle-Sears will not do that.”

Senator Ebbin and other Jewish legislators and legislators with Jewish family members sent the following letter to the GMU board of visitors in support of President Washington.

June 22, 2025

Dear Mr. Stimson and Board Members:

Antisemitism, like other forms of hatred, bigotry and intolerance, has no place in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As legislators that are Jewish and members of Jewish families, we join with all Virginians to safeguard this principle.

We also know first-hand that George Mason University is a welcoming campus that combats antisemitism and other forms of bigotry. Under the leadership of President Greg Washington, George Mason, in truth, is an exemplar of respect, acceptance and safety for all faiths and diverse beliefs.

Mason’s leadership, indeed, was recognized this past January, when the campus was chilled by ugly threats of anti-Jewish violence. President Washington and his team acted swiftly and compassionately to calm and ensure safety for all. The Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of Greater Washington joined with Mason Hillel to offer their praise: “All students — regardless of their faith or religious identity — deserve to be safe and secure on campus and the ability to openly express their beliefs and values without fear of violence. We are confident that the actions taken by GMU leadership will help ensure such an environment for Jewish students and the entire campus community."

We are beyond ashamed to witness the misguided and unjust assault on George Mason University, and on higher education generally that is now politically weaponized. This weapon exploits the very term antisemitism as a way to dismantle or destroy George Mason’s outstanding research and education record.

We have listened to Mason’s faculty, students and staff, as well as Jewish and other faith leaders. President Washington and all leaders at George Mason University have worked conscientiously to build a culture of openness, where learning thrives because students and instructors know they can speak their minds, and most significantly, to speak their hearts.

We urge all Virginians to join us to oppose these unjust, authoritarian and harmful attacks on George Mason University and all universities in Virginia.

The letter was signed by Senators Adan Ebbin and Scott Surovell, and Delegates Laura Jane Cohen, Dan Helmer, Alfonso Lopez, Marcus Simon, and Kathy Tran.

Senator Ebbin responded to GOP LG Nominee Reid's comments opposing the constitutional amendment to protect marriage equality in Virginia.

Virginia Scope: Ebbin and Henson respond to Reid opposing amendment to repeal defunct same-sex marriage ban
June 26, 2025

Two state legislators responded Thursday to Republican lieutenant governor nominee John Reid’s opposition to the repeal of Virginia’s defunct ban on same-sex marriage.

Virginia Scope recently asked Reid, the first openly gay statewide nominee in Virginia, why he opposes the repeal.

“It doesn’t provide protection for people who sincerely don’t agree with gay marriage,” he said. “I’m running to be the lieutenant governor, not to be somebody’s pastor, but I’ve got to protect everybody’s rights.”

He also pointed out that the United States Supreme Court ruled the ban unconstitutional, making it obsolete in Virginia.

Sen. Adam Ebbin, D-Alexandria, is sponsoring the amendment to repeal the ban. Ebbin was the first openly gay member of the House of Delegates and state Senate.

“There is no need to protect the people who disagree,” Ebbin said during a press call. “If people don’t like same sex marriage, then they shouldn’t marry someone of the same gender.”

“This is about following the law of the land,” Ebbin continued. “Following the Supreme Court ruling that we think was correct, and enshrining it in our Constitution to keep it there.”

Read the full article here.

Senator Ebbin and other Virginia elected leaders called out Winsome Earle-Sears’ as she threatens same-sex marriage.

DPVA Press: Elected Leaders, Virginians Call Out Sears’ Extreme Record That’s a Threat to Same-Sex Marriage
June 26, 2025

VIRGINIA – Today, on the 10th Anniversary of Obergefell v. Hodges, the U.S. Supreme Court decision protecting same-sex marriage, elected leaders and Virginians called out Winsome Earle-Sears’ as she threatens same-sex marriage. 

“Marriage equality is fundamental,” said Charlottesville Clerk of Court Llezelle Dugger who issued the first marriage license when same-sex marriage became legal in Virginia. “The overwhelming majority of Virginians support same-sex marriage. Winsome Earle-Sears wants to take that away.”

“While the overwhelming majority of Virginians support same-sex marriage, Winsome Earle-Sears wants to roll back this fundamental right. In her own words, she is “morally opposed” to same-sex marriage and is a threat to  it,” said Senator Adam Ebbin. 

“When you look at Winsome Earle-Sears’ record, it’s crystal clear that she won’t protect marriage equality – if she has the chance, she’ll roll back our fundamental rights,” said Delegate Rozia Henson. “Virginians deserve a leader who represents their values and will listen to and fight for what the Commonwealth wants and needs. Winsome Earle-Sears won’t do that.”  

Here’s what to know about Sears’ extreme record: 

Read the full article here.

Senator Ebbin joins Delegate Paul Krizek in an op-ed to discuss the risks of poor oversight of gaming in Virginia.

Richmond Times-Dispatch: As gaming explodes, lack of oversight puts Virginia at risk
June 3, 2025

Nearly a decade ago, Virginia became the first state to establish a framework that legalized and regulated fantasy sports.

Since then, fantasy sports and other forms of gaming have proliferated amid a marketplace that has continually evolved. Virginia’s once-innovative regulatory model, unfortunately, is now outdated and fails to provide the clarity, fairness and accountability that Virginians deserve.

The solution is simple. Virginia needs to establish and empower a single, self-funding agency to protect consumers and ensure operators comply with legal requirements for responsible play.

Virginia’s current system

Today, Virginia has three entities charged with regulating various forms of legal gaming.

• The Virginia Lottery, an independent agency, regulates lottery games, casinos and sports betting.

• The Office of Charitable and Regulatory Programs, in the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, regulates fantasy sports and charitable gaming such as bingo, slot-like electronic pull tab machines and Texas Hold ‘em poker tournaments.

• The Virginia Racing Commission, an executive agency, oversees horse race wagering, including slot-like historical horse racing games.

A 2022 Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission study reported that neither the Virginia Racing Commission nor the Office of Charitable and Regulatory Programs has adequate staffing to effectively carry out their regulatory oversight responsibilities.

The lack of clarity and consistency in Virginia’s regulatory system is colliding with the reality of a rapidly evolving marketplace, and the risks to Virginians are troubling and real. Resetting the regulatory model will strengthen existing protections against operators engaging in illegal and exploitative financial practices.

Here are two examples that demonstrate how the market has evolved beyond the regulatory capacities of Virginia’s current system:

Read the full article here.

Senator Ebbin received the bicycling-friendly legislator award from the Virginia Bicycling Federation for his vulnerable road users bill that passed in the 2025 session.

Zebra: Bike to Work Day Draws Over 1,000 Alexandria Bicyclists
May 15, 2025

Virginia Senator Adam Ebbin received an award from the Virginia Biking Federation at the Market Square pit stop. Ebbin was honored for introducing Senate Bill 1416, which went into law this year. Beginning July 1, if a driver fails to stop for pedestrians, that driver will be in violation of the law. The infraction rises to a Class 1 misdemeanor if an incident results in serious bodily injury or death of a vulnerable road user lawfully crossing a roadway.

Kevin O’Brien is Virginia organizer for Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) and a board member of the Virginia Bicycling Federation. In introducing Ebbin, he told the senator, “We know you’ve been a champion for safe streets for many years now.”

Ebbin credited Alexandria Families for Safe Streets for pushing for this law for years. The senator thanked all the cyclists who are “environmentally minded and keeping fit.”

“A few years ago,” he told the crowd, “we started dealing with distracted driving and to better define that because there’s a penalty but it’s rarely enforced. And then this year we came at it from a different approach, alarmed at the people being stricken in crosswalks and the perpetrators receiving just a slap on the wrist for failure to yield.”

Read the full article here.