On Election Day in 1968, a teacher in Commack on Long Island gathered her class around the flagpole to discuss the meaning of the day. As kids began to chant support for Richard Nixon, one voice cheered for Hubert Humphrey, Nixon's challenger. That boy was Adam Ebbin.

More than 40 years later, Ebbin, a Virginia delegate for the 49th district since 2004, is running for the 30th district Senate seat. He faces off against City of Alexandria Councilman Rob Krupicka and Arlington school board member Libby Garvey in the Democratic primary on Tuesday, Aug. 23.

Ebbin came to Washington, D.C. to study political science at American University. In the early '70s, he worked on the campaign of former Sen. Gary Hart (D-Colo.).

But despite his passion for politics and aspirations to become an elected official, Ebbin, a gay man, feared he would never be elected to office.

"Being openly gay, I didn't think I could ever run for office," Ebbin said. "And then when I moved to Virginia I was sure I could never run for public office."

But Ebbin was wrong. He led the campaign to elect Arlington County Board member Jay Fisette in 1993. Although Fisette lost that run, he became Virginia's first openly gay elected official in 1997. In 2004, Ebbin became the first openly gay Virginian to serve in the House of Delegates.

"I realized that your ideas and your values were what the voters of Northern Virginia judged you on," Ebbin said. "Rather than your orientation."

Delegate in Richmond

In his eight years in Richmond, Ebbin led legislation on a variety of issues. He passed a bill to protect seniors and disabled Virginians. Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) endorsed his human trafficking package which added protection for victims and intensified penalties for perpetrators.

Ebbin has been a champion for LGBT issues. He worked with Democratic governors Tim Kaine and Mark Warner to end discrimination in state employment and increase life insurance benefits for domestic partnerships.

While he touts his progressive views and accomplishments, Ebbin also spoke of his record of bipartisanship in Richmond.

With a Republican majority in the House of Delegates and a Democratic majority in Senate, every bill that passes the General Assembly must have some bipartisan appeal, Ebbin explained.

"The relationships I’ve built over the last eight years—not just across the aisle but across the Commonwealth—matter. Those have helped me develop stronger results [and become] an even more effective legislator."

At a time when Americans criticize politicians—both in Washington and on the local level—for fostering a toxic, partisan climate, Ebbin said he understands the importance of working across the aisle.

"People want bipartisanship and civility," Ebbin said. "I think that people in the House from the other side of the aisle would say that I’m a civil, effective and sharp colleague." 

Transportation and Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC)

Transportation has become the biggest issue for the constituents of the 30th District, and Ebbin sees it no differently.

"I'm going to fight for a lot of things, but quality of life suffers when transportation suffers," he said. "That's the key issue for the 30th District whether it's transit or BRAC improvements." 

In this year's General Assembly session, Ebbin proposed funding to integrate a connection from the BRAC-133 building on Seminary Road to the planned Columbia Pike street-car project. Although funding hasn't been secured for a street-car plan yet, Ebbin said the county plans to do it eventually.

"Anything we can do to get people out of their cars or to carpool is a worthwhile accomplishment," Ebbin said.

Ebbin also withheld his vote from McDonnell's transportation bill this year because it didn't have any specific funding for BRAC. Eventually, Ebbin and his Northern Viginia colleagues were able to get funding for a direct ramp from Interstate 95's HOV lanes to Seminary Road.

"I wasn’t part of the problem of BRAC," Ebbin said, reiterating a point he's made in the past, "but I’m committed to looking for solutions to help mitigate a traffic disaster."

For U.S. Route 1, Ebbin has specific ideas he would like to see implemented. In the short-term, he wants to widen the corridor south of the old Multiplex Cinema, and eventually he wants to extend Metro's Yellow line. 

"We need the upgraded infrastructure that will attract the kind of businesses besides another Wal-Mart and 10 more McDonald's," Ebbin said. "We also need to look at transit right on Route 1 or parallel to Route 1."

Ebbin said he looks forward to working with Del. Scott Surovell (D-44), Sen. Toddy Puller (D-36) and Del. Mark Sickles (D-43) to make improvements after the completion of the Route One transit study.

The Environment

In addition to working on better transportation solutions, Ebbin would like to continue to work for renewable energy as a state senator.

"I oppose the environmental risks that led to the Gulf Coast oil disaster, and further I think that we need to focus on renewable energy on things like offshore wind energy," Ebbin said. "Virginia has a huge potential for offshore wind energy as well as solar energy."

Ebbin is in favor of implementing "solar roadways"—incredibly strong solar panels installed directly on the highway to generate electricity. The resulting energy can be used not only to power traffic lights and street lights, Ebbin said, but can also be connected to the grid. The technology has been implemented in the United States and has the ability to create many jobs, according to Ebbin.

"Of the states on the East Coast and Mid-Atlantic, we have one of the greatest potentials for solar energy," Ebbin said.

A Colleague's Endorsement

Del. Scott Surovell (D-Mount Vernon) met Ebbin before either were delegates, but the two grew closer after having nearby offices on the seventh floor in the General Assembly Building in Richmond.

"He's fearless in combat," Surovell said in an email to Patch. "He stands up on the floor and fights the tough battles. That's more than I can say of most of my caucus."  

Surovell said Ebbin has many friends from both parties and vouched for his experience in Richmond as a delegate and deputy commissioner under Gov. Mark Warner.

"Richmond is a very tough place. You have 140 people fighting over a shrinking amount of resources for their constituents," Surovell said. "To get a fair share for your constituents, you have to know what you're doing. Adam is that person. He will hit the ground being effective for his constituents."  

On and Off the Campaign Trail

In addition to Surovell and Sickles, a number of Northern Virginia delegates have endorsed Ebbin including Del. David Bulova (D-37), Del. Eileen Filler-Corn (D-41) and Del. Vivian Watts (D-39). Three Arlington County officials have endorsed Ebbin, including Fisette. Organizations such as the Virginia League of Conservation Voters, the Virginia National Organization for Women, and NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia have thrown support behind Ebbin. For a full list of endorsements, visit his campaign site.

Last week's campaign finance disclosures reveal Ebbin with $48,406 cash on hand, besting Krupicka and Garvey who each have about $30,000 in the bank.

Ebbin welcomed his family into town last weekend. His parents live in Florida, and he has a brother in Chicago and a sister in Hoboken, N.J. 

When Ebbin isn't working he likes to travel. He enjoys visiting a friend in Istanbul. Last year he canceled a trip to Paris, Amsterdam and Turkey in order to prepare for the 2011 legislative session and his campaign.

"I’d like to get to the beach," Ebbin said. "I’ve missed it this summer."

In the meantime, Ebbin is working toward Tuesday's primary. For him, the reason for being an elected official is simple. He has a "desire to change things for the better," he said. "Serving is important, but getting progressive results for my constituents is the thing that gets me going."