Rain Doesn’t Dampen Support For Ebbin

Gray skies and drizzle couldn’t stop supporters from turning out en masse to the fundraising reception for Virginia delegate from the 49th district Adam Ebbin. But the remnants of Tropical Storm Gaston that hit hard the southern part of the commonwealth still managed to delay the evening.

Virginia governor Mark Warner, scheduled to speak at the event, had been campaigning for the Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry in rural parts of southeast Missouri, and had his plane diverted from Richmond because of torrential rain and flooding in that area.

Determined to attend the event, Warner landed in Stafford County and drove to Arlington where he arrived in time to speak on behalf of Del. Ebbin. Ebbin, the first and only openly-gay member of the Virginia legislature, was elected to his first term last year. He won the Democratic primary by a scant 49 votes, aided by an endorsement from the News-Press. He held a fundraiser in Rehoboth Beach on Saturday prior to Monday's with the governor, and is seeking to build a campaign war chest early to maintain a solid hold on his district.

The event Monday attracted 205 people; a mix of constituents, local leaders, and state politicians.

The main topic of the evening was House Bill 751, a bill that denies civil unions or any other contractual arrangements that might bestow upon same-sex couples the privileges or obligations of marriage.

Speaking out against the bill, Gov. Warner criticized the Republican controlled Virginia senate and house for passing a bill that he said puts Virginia “further outside the mainstream than any state in the nation.”

He said that at the same time that the Virginia legislature passed legislation celebrating the 40th anniversary of its acceptance of desegregation, it swiftly moved to impose another form of bigotry.

“While we worked to rectify a wrong that was done 40 years ago, it was only a few hours later the legislature took another act to put Virginia once again out of the mainstream,” said Warner.

He praised Ebbin for being an advocate for diversity, which he described as a “new immigrant community that will enrich not only Northern Virginia but all of Virginia.”

By phone Ebbin told the News-Press, “We want to try to make sure immigrant kids have access to state colleges and universities” and to “improve their economic future.”

Warner also talked about the work that was done to reduce Virginia’s budget deficits after skyrocketing deficits threatened to affect the commonwealth’s bond rating.

Warner gave special thanks to Ebbin who along with other legislators, “stepped up and did the right thing,” and added “I’m not going to forget their courage.”

Earlier in the speech Warner thanked Ebbin for his years of friendship and public service, and described him as a “rising star” in the state legislature.

“It was humbling to me, all the support I’ve received,” said Ebbin.

So far Ebbin has raised over $23,000 for next year’s campaign in defending his seat in the Virginia House.