Representing Alexandria, Arlington, and Fairfax

Newsletter - November 29, 2017

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Mark in News

How to Win an Election, According to Danica Roem
Jezebel

Alexandria Voter Turnout Contributes to Virginia Dems Landslide*
Alexandria News

*This news article mentions the total vote count for the 45th District in the City of Alexandria. Because Mark also represents parts of Arlington and Fairfax Counties, his total vote count was a higher number:  31,417 votes, the highest votes cast for any  Virginia Delegate in the 2017 Election.  

Mark on TV (video)

Virginia Democrats Focus on Health and Economy. Not Division
Fox 5 

Inside Scoop Candidate Forum

CONTACT ME

On the website,
via email,
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or on Twitter.

Or by mail and phone:
301 King St
Alexandria, VA 22314
571-234-8481

Recounts
Control of the House of Delegates still up for grabs 

The Blue Tsunami that hit Virginia on November 7 brought the Democrats at least 15 more seats in the House. Out of 100 seats, we currently hold 49 and the Republicans now hold 48, with 3 races still too close to call and headed for recounts. In the 94th district (Newport News), Democratic challenger Shelly Simonds trails Republican Delegate David Yancey by only 10 votes! Never let anyone tell you that your vote doesn't matter. With a margin that narrow, it's a tossup as to who will come out the winner.

In the 40th district (Fairfax and Prince William) Democratic challenger Donte Tanner trails Republican Delegate Tim Hugo by less than half of one percent, authorizing him to request a recount. This was a major disappointment for those of us in the 45th who worked so hard for Donte, because he was ahead on Election Night, and I know voters in the 45th District played a major role in helping him get so close. We all wish him well in the recount. Unfortunately, with 106 votes behind Hugo, Donte's chances of prevailing, while certainly possible, are significantly narrower than Shelly's.

 
As for the 28th district (Fredericksburg and Stafford), it's frankly a mess. This was an open seat race to replace the retiring Republican Speaker, Bill Howell. Democrat Josh Cole trails Republican Bob Thomas by only 82 votes, less than half of one percent in an election surrounded by a controversy involving split precincts. In some cases, a precinct is split between two different House districts, making things much more difficult for election officials. On Election Day and in the days that followed, there were numerous reports of voters in split precincts receiving the wrong ballot. Investigation by the State Board of Elections showed that at least 147 voters (almost twice the margin between the two candidates) voted in the wrong House race, with some voting in the 28th when they were supposed to be in a neighboring district and some voting in a neighboring district when they were supposed to be in the 28th. While we don't know who those votes would have been cast for if the election had been conducted properly, we do know it was a reliably Democratic precinct. A federal judge has suggested the possibility that another special election might be necessary to resolve the issue. So stay tuned!
 
All three recounts should begin within the next couple of weeks. December may well provide a photo finish for control of the House. And if the mistakes made in the 28th necessitate a special election, it might well determine the balance of power!  If you want to contribute funds to help the recount effort, click this link.

Alexandria Public Hearing
TONIGHT, Wednesday November 29, 7-8:30pm 

The City of Alexandria’s legislative delegation will hold a public hearing tonight (Wednesday, November 29th) from 7-8:30 p.m. at Alexandria City Hall (301 King St, Alexandria, VA 22314).  Delegate Charniele Herring, Senators George Barker and Adam Ebbin, and I will seek community input prior to the 2018 General Assembly session. 

Speakers will be afforded up to three minutes to share their legislative priorities with the delegation.  No advance registration is necessary; sign-in sheets for speakers will be available at the hearing.

Mark in the Community


Visiting Belle View Elementary School


Celebrating the election at the last Mark's Monthly Meetup (thanks to Elza Photography for the photo)


My Ballot on Election Day
A hearty thank you to the 31,416 other voters who re-elected me!


The Arlington/Alexandria Commission on Aging Forum


Arlington Democrats Post-Election Lunch at Nam Viet


Election night celebration with Alexandria Democrats



Visiting every polling place in my district on Election Day

Mark's Monthly Meetup

Los Tios in Del Ray
Sunday, December 17 at 2 pm 

Please join me at the December Mark's Monthly Meetup from 2-4 pm at Los Tios Mexican restaurant in Del Ray (2615 Mount Vernon Avenue in Alexandria). Come join us to eat, relax, and discuss policy and politics.

 

And if you miss December, there's always January, February, or March of next year. Every month, I make sure to be available in this informal setting for any constituent who wishes to discuss a problem or just say hello. Help me get to know you better, so I can better determine your priorities in Richmond. I always strive to be as accessible to you as I can possibly be.

Upcoming Events

Wednesday November 29, 6pm
Animal Rights Meeting
Alexandria City Hall (Sister Cities Conference Room 1102), 301 King St, Alexandria

Wednesday November 29, 7pm
Alexandria Legislative Delegation Public Hearing
Alexandria City Hall (Council Chambers), 301 King St, Alexandria

Thursday November 30, 1pm
Legislative Delegation Work Session with Arlington County Board
Courthouse Plaza, 2100 Clarendon Blvd, Arlington

Saturday December 2, 9am
Scottish Christmas Walk
The Campagna Center, 418 S Washington St, Alexandria

Saturday December 2, 6pm
Del Ray Tree Lighting
Mt. Vernon Ave and Oxford Ave, Alexandria

Monday December 4, 7:30pm
Alexandria Democratic Committee
Minnie Howard School, 3801 W Braddock Rd, Alexandria

Tuesday December 5, 10:30am
Advisory Committee on Sexual and Domestic Violence
State Capitol (House Room 1) Richmond

Wednesday December 6, 6:45pm
Arlington County Democratic Committee
Fairlington Community Center, 3308 S Stafford St, Arlington

Thursday December 7, 7:00pm
Sierra Club Community Forum
Alexandria Renew (Room 600), 1800 Limerick Street, Alexandria

Sunday, December 17, 2 - 4 pm 
Mark's Monthly Meetup
Los Tios, 2615 Mt. Vernon Avenue, Alexandria


It is always my honor and privilege to serve you.

 
Delegate Mark Levine
Serving Alexandria, Arlington, and Fairfax in Virginia's 45th District