DEC 21, 11:32 AM

Virginia Del. Mark Levine Announces Bid For Lieutenant Governor

Eliza Berkon https://twitter.com/eberkon

Virginia Del. Mark Levine on Monday announced his candidacy for lieutenant governor, joining a roster of nearly a dozen candidates vying for the position.

Levine, a 54-year-old Democrat from Alexandria, has served in the state’s House of Delegates since 2016 and represents parts of Arlington County, Fairfax County, and the city of Alexandria. He would be both the first openly LGBTQ+ officeholder elected statewide and the first Jewish individual elected statewide, according to a press release from his campaign.

“Virginia needs a full-time lieutenant governor. If elected, I would visit every one of Virginia’s 133 counties and cities during my term and assist the Governor in connecting with everyday Virginians all across the Commonwealth,” Levine said in a written statement announcing his candidacy.

Eleven other candidates, seven Democrats and four Republicans, are running for the position, a role with a relatively short job description; lieutenant governors preside over the state Senate and step in for the governor when they cannot continue to serve. Several of those running this election cycle have never held elected office.

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