The Connection

Incumbent

Town of Residence: Alexandria

Age: 51

Education: American University, BA, 1981; Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership, 2001 (University of Virginia); Senior Executives in State and Local Government, 2012, Harvard University Kennedy School

Occupation, experience: Consultant, former Virginia Chief Deputy Commissioner of Labor and Industry

Alexandria Board of Zoning Appeals, former member;

Virginia State Central Democratic Committee, former member;

Parent Teacher Leadership Institute of Alexandria, Advisory Board Member

Website: www.AdamEbbin.com

Twitter handle: @AdamEbbin

Name three endorsements: Northern Virginia Technology Council, Virginia Education Association, Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce, Humane Dominion, AFL-CIO

Questions

What is one issue that defines your call to serve, why does it matter, and how will you tackle it?

Standing up for the little guy is the principle that guides my work as a public official. Most people with pressing needs don’t have powerful lobbyists, including children in poverty, immigrants, LGBT people, seniors and the disabled, and lots of working people just trying to get by.

What distinguishes you from your opponent(s) and why should voters choose you?

I have been an outspoken and effective advocate for more than a decade and brought together leaders from both parties to deliver results.

Given the political makeup of the state legislature, what examples from your own experience suggest you can successfully bridge the intense partisan differences there?

I have passed legislation to expand Medicaid to cover prenatal care for immigrant mothers, eliminate the punitive tax penalty on hybrid car owners, make it easier to vote absentee and see that more of those votes are fairly counted, and boost workforce development. Relationships I have built with colleagues from both parties have made these successes possible.

In order, list your top 5 specific legislative priorities.

Use the Federal funds already available to offer health coverage to 400,000 poor Virginians; fight the tide of gun violence that is claiming the life of a Virginian every 10 hours; increase per pupil state education funding that has suffered since 2008; continue to diversify and strengthen Northern Virginia’s economy; and enact provisions to protect government and private sector workers from discrimination.

How has your district changed in the last 10 years? What caused those changes?

Since 2005, the 30th Senate District has seen significant population growth. Housing costs have dramatically outpaced incomes. Student enrollment has skyrocketed while state education per student spending has fallen, increasing budget pressures on our localities. New housing and employment patterns have added stress to our transportation systems, particularly on Route 1 in Fairfax. Our air quality has improved with the closure of the dirty GenON/Mirant coal plant in Old Town.

Will you support legislation restricting high interest lending including car title loans?

Yes, I will continue to oppose these predators who gouge lower-income residents with exorbitant interest rates.

Will you support funding for Fostering Connections which would result in an influx of federal funding for foster children aging out of foster care?

Yes, I will continue to support the funding needed to successfully transition foster children into adulthood.

Will you support funding for Fostering Connections which would result in an influx of federal funding for foster children aging out of foster care?

I have voted in favor of a bipartisan effort to accept federal health care funds for 400,000 low-income Virginians, most of whom are in working families, including 21,000 veterans. I will continue to work with members of both parties to find common ground. It’s important for voters to know that the Medicaid expansion offered under the Affordable Care Act is already being paid for with their payroll taxes and Virginia is turning away $1.5 billion annually by not accepting these critical funds. Those who would be covered use the emergency room as their primary care center, causing health insurance premiums to rise for everyone else.