A New Day Dawns in Virginia
400 Years ago, in Jamestown, Virginia,
the first representative democracy began in the Western World.
400 Years ago, in Fort Monroe, Virginia,
the first African slaves were brought to English colonial America.
Today, Virginia has elected its most progressive government in the four centuries of our Commonwealth.
A new day is dawning in Virginia.
And we owe it all to you.
Last night, Virginians elected Democrats to:
a majority of the Senate
21 out of 40 seats
and
a majority of the House of Delegates
54 or 55 out of 100 seats
I hereby declare Mission 51 a Success!
and Mission 52, and Mission 53, and Mission 54, and quite possibly, Mission 55...
You have placed the future of the Commonwealth of Virginia in our hands.
That is an honor, a privilege, and an obligation.
Thank you.
And we will do our best
to be as responsive and transparent
as we can possibly be
in enacting your values into law.
Click above to hear my thoughts on the Virginia elections.
This Sunday, between 1 and 3pm,
please join us at Los Tios in Del Ray
for a special edition of Mark's Monthly Meetup.
We will talk about the election results and where we go from here.
Ever since I was first elected in 2015, my Election Day tradition has been to visit every one of the 23 precincts I represent to welcome voters and thank volunteers.
My day began before sunrise. I woke up around 5 am to get ready.
Here I am at Charles Houston precinct with Joe Valenti,
who was greeting voters at 6:30 in the morning!
Fire Department, with precinct captain Bruce Marsh
George Washington Middle School
George Washington Middle School with Colin and Calynn Harris
Members of the TC Williams Band performed a beautiful rendition
of the National Anthem outside Mt. Vernon Rec Center.
Always good hearing stories from constituents at George Mason Middle School.
One of my favorite things about my annual District tour: bake sales!
With Democratic poll greeter Michael Moran at George Mason Middle School.
Talking with a voter at Agudas Achim, which now meets at Convergence
Thanks to Paul Friedman and Alexandria's election officers for making sure
Agudas Achim/Convergence voters knew where to go for their new polling location!
Two-thirds of the Alexandria Democratic ticket
are in this photo from Maury Elementary School with Marni and Martha.
Congratulations to Greg Parks, our new Alexandria Court Clerk!
With two future voters at Maury.
At Maury with Greg Parks and Christina Motilall, her new US Constitution in hand!
At Durant Center with my predecessor Delegate Marian Van Landingham; volunteers Marianne Anderson, Christina Forbes, and Boyd Walker; and future voters!
At Alexandria's new polling location, AlexRenew
With PJ Johnson and others at AlexRenew, including one woman who said that our Medicaid Expansion may have saved her life.
Thanking Democratic volunteer Deirdre MacNeil at Lee Center.
With Deirdre MacNeil and Diane de Guzman, a new constituent and first-time Virginia voter who just moved here after 31 years of working abroad for the United Nations.
With Democratic and Republican poll greeters at Grosvenor.
This Grosvenor constituent was ready for Virginia to become completely Blue!
Voting was a family affair for this Blessed Sacrament voter.
Belleview voter Claire Meyerson made sure to vote
in her first Virginia election after moving from North Carolina.
With Democratic poll greeter Jason at Lyles Crouch.
This City Hall voter is proof I have Republican support!
He is one of many Republicans who felt abandoned by the
lawless and xenophobic course Trump has taken his party.
City Hall Democratic poll greeters Mario Velasquez and Hazel Rigby are always there, every single election, year in and year out. Their dedication is extraordinary!
At City Hall with Alexandria City Councilmember Mo Seifeldein and Mario.
Voting at my home precinct, Ladrey Senior Center!
With Democratic poll greeter at Ladrey Senior Center,
where I used to be precinct captain myself!
At Potomac Yard with Jeremy Huntsinger.
(That's not a long boot on his leg. It's a very cute dog.)
Exchanging mutual thank yous at Cora Kelly
Meeting a voter for the first time at Aurora Hills
With Patrick Bogenberger at Aurora Hills. Patrick played a critical role in helping me change the name of Jefferson Davis Highway to Richmond Highway.
Ronald Henry, an electrician and member of IBEW Local 26,
was pleased to learn that I had been endorsed by his union.
At Oakridge School. One of the best aspects of my 23-precinct trek
every Election Day twice a year is meeting all the dogs!
With Arlington Sheriff Beth Arthur and precinct volunteers at Shirlington.
Meeting Charlotte and Sarah Berlin (and the adorable Sweet Pea) at Abingdon. Charlotte and Sarah are first-time Virginia voters who just moved from
Washington, DC, where they got married under the District of Columbia
marriage-equality law I crafted before I became a Delegate.
Note the sun starting to set at the penultimate stop on my journey.
Precinct Number 23!
This time, Fairlington was my last stop on Election Day....
....until the Election Party!
Alexandria has maintained its all-Democratic representation!
Congrats to Greg Parks on his new election as Clerk of Court for Alexandria.
Here I am thanking Alexandria Democrats for
playing a critical role in flipping Virginia blue!
I announced we had flipped the House soon after 9 pm
(and about an hour before news agencies made the call).
I've had about six hours sleep in two days.
But I'm bristling with energy thinking about all that needs to be done and all that we can do with our new majorities.
And, as always, I thank you for the honor and privilege of representing you.
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Delegate Mark Levine
Serving Alexandria, Arlington, and Fairfax in Virginia's 45th District