Incumbent Democratic Senator Dave Marsden is a lifelong resident of Northern Virginia. Senator Marsden has lived in Burke since 1977 with his wife Julia and three sons. He graduated from W.T. Woodson High School in 1966, Randolph-Macon College in 1970, and began a career in juvenile justice as a probation officer with the Fairfax County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court. He went on to establish and operate Fairfax County’s shelter home for youth with severe family problems and was later appointed as the first Superintendent of Fairfax County’s Juvenile Detention Center. He served in the House of Delegates for four years before he was elected to the state Senate in 2009.
Senator Marsden has been a voice for reproductive health care access throughout his service. Most recently, he voted to repeal the abortion prohibition in Virginia health insurance plans and voted to establish the Reproductive Health Protection Act. In previous sessions, he voted against a measure to prohibit state funding of abortion services and voted to repeal the requirement for an ultrasound prior to an abortion, a bill he co-sponsored.

Senator Marsden has also been a reliable voice for civil rights and liberties. In 2020, he voted to prohibit No-knock Search Warrants. He also voted to repeal the State statutory same-sex marriage ban and amend state documents to include gender-neutral terms. Additionally, he voted to establish the Dress Code Equity Act, prohibit state funding of conversion therapy on minors, and amend the anti-discrimination law to include sexual orientation and gender identity, a measure he also co-sponsored.

Senator Marsden’s advocacy for civil liberties extends to criminal justice. In the most recent session, he voted to establish an independent policing auditor to oversee civilian law enforcement oversight groups. He voted against a measure to require school principals to report student misdemeanors to law enforcement, a measure supported by civil rights groups. He voted to expand voting rights of returning citizens. He also voted to require law enforcement officers to inform drivers why they are being stopped.

Senator Marsden has also supported measures to expand healthcare and make it more affordable throughout his career. In recent sessions, he voted to establish a COVID-19 Relief Fund. He also voted to limit the cost of Insulin to $50 per 30-day supply. Earlier in his career, he voted to require health insurance coverage for Autism Spectrum Disorder. He also voted to prohibit smoking in a vehicle with minors and in restaurants.

Senator Marsden is facing a challenge from Republican Mark Vafiades, a retired Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy. Vafiades uses dog-whistles to push his agenda, attacking civil rights movements and cozying up to hard-line Republicans. He attacks environmental regulations as radical special interests. He supports Republican efforts to police content in schools and calls measures for equity and respect defiance of parents.

Given his advocacy for civil liberties, reproductive justice, affordable healthcare, and criminal justice, Senator Marsden is the progressive choice in this race.
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