Candidate Essay: Adam Ebbin

This week we asked the two candidates for the 30th District state Senate seat to write a sub-750 word essay on why the district’s residents should vote for them on Tuesday, Nov. 8.

Here is the unedited response from Del. Adam Ebbin (D):

On November 8, voters in the 30th Senate District will select a successor to Senator Patsy Ticer, who has served Northern Virginia well during her sixteen years in Richmond. The questions before voters will be simple: who is best prepared to get the job done, and who best shares our values?

After seven years in the House, I have the experience, knowledge and relationships needed to be successful in the Virginia Senate. I’ve been a champion for our values in Richmond, and passed legislation supporting our environment, our senior citizens, our transit system and other key regional priorities.

Since 2004, I’ve represented parts of south Arlington in the House of Delegates. During that time, I’ve secured $1.5 billion in Federal matching funds to improve Metro services and passed legislation to establish a Public Defender office in Arlington.

I passed laws to protect seniors from fraud and abuse and laws to strengthen protections against identity theft. I also helped lead the successful effort to expand life insurance benefits to include members of domestic partnerships.

This year, legislation I passed established a solar resource loan fund that will provide homeowners access to low interest loans to install solar panels on their houses. I’ve defended funds for our public schools and have been a reliable vote in support of Virginia’s workers and a woman’s right to choose.

I know what it takes to move important legislation through the General Assembly. I’ve stood up for our Northern Virginia values against the skepticism of members from other parts of the Commonwealth. I’ve worked with them to build understanding and support for our local priorities.

Before being elected to represent our community in the House of Delegates, I served in the administration of former Governor Mark Warner as his Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Labor and Industry. Outside of my government service, I’ve spent much of my career helping small and growing businesses reach new clients and expand their online presence.

I am committed to keeping Virginia the best-managed state in the nation, the best state in which to raise a child and the number one state in which to do business. I have fought, and will continue to fight, to protect our local schools and emergency response services from budget cuts.

During this campaign, I’ve had to great pleasure to speak with so many of you at your door, at a debate, or at a local function. We’ve discussed your concerns, your priorities and your hopes for the future. As a member of the House, I’ve worked day and night to put our shared values into action. In the Senate, I’ll be even more able to put the needs of Northern Virginia front and center in Richmond.

I’m proud to have been endorsed by my colleagues from the Democratic primary, Alexandria City Councilman Rob Krupicka and Arlington County School Board Member Libby Garvey. I am also very proud to have won the support of the Arlington Association of Professional Firefighters and Paramedics, the Virginia AFL-CIO, SEIU, the Virginia chapter of the National Organization for Women, the Virginia League of Conservation Voters, NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia, Equality Virginia and many other local organizations.

The Washington Post has endorsed my candidacy, and has said that I am “well-respected, substantive and effective” and “would make an excellent Senator.”

I would be truly honored to have your vote. If you will stand with me on November 8, I will stand up for you every day that I’m in Richmond. I have a record of proven progressive accomplishment, and will continue to be a strong voice for our values in the Senate.

Election Day is November 8. To learn more about my candidacy, or how you can volunteer in these closing days, please visit www.AdamEbbin.com or call 703-739-4330.