Delegate Mark Levine (D-Alexandria) announced his candidacy for Lieutenant Governor on Monday, joining a crowded Democratic Primary that includes three of his colleagues in the House of Delegates.

Levine, 54, is a long-time advocate for same-sex marriage, and he currently serves as the third openly-LGBTQ+ member of the Virginia General Assembly. He has represented the 45th District in the House of Delegates since 2016, which includes parts of Arlington County, Fairfax County, and the city of Alexandria. He would be both the first openly LGBTQ+ and the first Jewish individual elected statewide in Virginia.

“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 press release.

Levine was a strong opponent of the Redistricting Amendment that passed in Virginia in November, having written an op-ed piece along with Delegate Lamont Bagby about the detrimental effects the amendment could bring to the Commonwealth. 

“Simply put, Amendment 1 enshrines the odious practice of gerrymandering into our Constitution and makes it virtually impossible to remove,” the two wrote.

Levine grew up in Nashville and studied in Switzerland. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Harvard University and his JD from Yale University. He has worked as a lawyer, a journalist, and an advocate against domestic violence.

During his first term in the General Assembly, Levine co-founded the Virginia Transparency Caucus by reaching across the aisle and working with far-right Senator Amanda Chase. The Caucus has ensured that all committee and subcommittee meetings are available to the public for viewing and participation.

Levine is now one of a dozen candidates seeking the office. There are seven other Democrats in the race as well as four Republicans.