Democrats Take Alexandria by Storm

The Democratic Party cleaned up in Alexandria on Election Day.

Adam Ebbin won his bid against Tim McGhee for state Senate in the 30th District with about 70 percent of the vote.

Del. David Englin (D-45th), who ran uncontested, scored 93 percent of the vote with write-ins taking the remainder.

Clerk of the Circuit Court Ed Semonian retained his seat in what was thought to be a close race, but ultimately he secured about 65 percent of the vote against Chris Marston.

“Not often the clerk race gets this kind of attention,” Clark Mercer, chairman of the Alexandria Democratic Committee, told an attentive crowd at restaurant in Del Ray. “Ed personifies someone who cares about his job.”

Semonian, who has served as clerk for 32 years, said: “I could not have done this myself… the Democratic Party prevailed in an election it should have prevailed in. I look forward to serving… in a nonpartisan way.

Del. Charniele Herring (D-46th), who took 95 percent of the vote in an uncontested race, also attended the victory party.

“Ed’s race was remarkable,” she said. “We were able to pull together as a family. Ed personifies what it means to be a Democrat.”

Alexandria Vice Mayor Kerry Donley called Semonian’s race a “repudiation of dirty politics.”

Englin said the Democratic Party fights for what’s right and good for the people of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Mayor Bill Euille also was on hand and foreshadowed: “This race is a prelude to 2012. The other party wants to take over… Everyone is focusing on Virginia but you can’t take Virginia for granted.”

Ebbin, who showed up at Los Tios about an hour after his victory was assured, expressed his gratitude.

“I want to thank the people of Alexandria and the 30th District for the confidence you’ve shown in me tonight,” he said.