Virginia General Assembly, David W. Marsden

Dave is originally from Alexandria. He attended W.T. Woodson High School. He has a bachelor's degree from Randolph-Macon College. He lives with his wife and three children in Fairfax, and he is Protestant.

Dave works for real estate developer Development Services Group, Inc. He has worked as superintendent of the Fairfax County Detention Center and as chief deputy director of the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice.

Dave Marsden is currently the state senator representing district 37. He was first elected in 2010 and has been in office for three terms. He used to be the state delegate representing district 41 from 2006 until 2010. He is the Chair of the Transportation Committee. He is also on the Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources, Commerce and Labor, Finance and Appropriations, and Rules Committee.

Legiscan, SB 1323

Legiscan, SB 1333

Supports 100% clean energy standard and commitment to a zero-carbon electricity grid.

As a state senator, voted for a bill that would have given lowand middle-income Virginians loans and funding to install solar panels or make their homes more energy efficient.

As a state senator, voted for a bill that will lower energy bills for Virginian’s by $6-$7 per month by changing the way Virginia’s monopoly energy provider, Dominion Energy, can set prices.

- Supports 100% clean energy standard and commitment to a zero-carbon electricity grid.
- As a state senator, voted for a bill that would have given low- and middle-income Virginians loans and funding to install solar panels or make their homes more energy efficient.
- As a state senator, voted for a bill that will lower energy bills for Virginian’s by $6-$7 per month by changing the way Virginia’s monopoly energy provider, Dominion Energy, can set prices.

Energy & the Environment

Virginia's Legislative Information System, SB 451

Legiscan, HB 2294

As a state senator, voted for a bill that lowered taxes on groceries from 2.5% to 1%, except for alcohol, tobacco, and prepared hot foods. Diapers and feminine hygiene products were included in the tax decrease.

As a state senator, voted for a bill that limits the amount of THC in hemp products to 0.3% of the product and 2 milligrams total. Possession of marijuana is decriminalized in Virginia but there is no legal market for sales of THC products.

- As a state senator, voted for a bill that lowered taxes on groceries from 2.5% to 1%, except for alcohol, tobacco, and prepared hot foods. Diapers and feminine hygiene products were included in the tax decrease.
- As a state senator, voted for a bill that limits the amount of THC in hemp products to 0.3% of the product and 2 milligrams total. Possession of marijuana is decriminalized in Virginia but there is no legal market for sales of THC products.

Economy

Virginia's Legislative Information System, SJ 255

Legiscan, HB 2374

As a state senator, he capped insulin to $50 per month and lowered cost of prescription drugs.

As a state senator, voted for a bill that would have put a fundamental right to reproductive freedom in Virginia’s constitution, which would have made abortion constitutionally protected in the state.

As a state senator, voted for a bill that prevents pharmacists from refusing to fill prescriptions because they were prescribed via telemedicine.

- Supports abortion.
- As a state senator, he capped insulin to $50 per month and lowered cost of prescription drugs.
- As a state senator, voted for a bill that would have put a fundamental right to reproductive freedom in Virginia’s constitution, which would have made abortion constitutionally protected in the state.
- As a state senator, voted for a bill that prevents pharmacists from refusing to fill prescriptions because they were prescribed via telemedicine.

Healthcare

Legiscan, HB 319

Legiscan, SB 1515

As a state senator, voted for a bill that requires schools to improve reading skills in students from kindergarten through third grade to address learning loss from the pandemic.

As a state senator, voted for a bill that lets companies be sued for publishing or distributing online content that is “harmful to minors” without checking the age of the internet users accessing the content.

- As a state senator, voted for a bill that requires schools to improve reading skills in students from kindergarten through third grade to address learning loss from the pandemic.
- As a state senator, voted for a bill that lets companies be sued for publishing or distributing online content that is “harmful to minors” without checking the age of the internet users accessing the content.

Education

Virginia's Legislative Information System, HB 2387

Virginia's Legislative Information System, SB 951

As a state senator, expanded background checks on gun purchases.

As a state senator, voted for a bill that gets rid of the option for drivers without insurance to pay a $500 fee when registering their car and be allowed to drive without insurance.

As a state senator, voted for a bill that gives people $300 off their taxes if they buy a gun safe or lock box. The credit expires in 2027.

- As a state senator, expanded background checks on gun purchases.
- As a state senator, voted for a bill that gets rid of the option for drivers without insurance to pay a $500 fee when registering their car and be allowed to drive without insurance.
- As a state senator, voted for a bill that gives people $300 off their taxes if they buy a gun safe or lock box. The credit expires in 2027.

Public Safety

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Mark attended Lexington High School. He has a bachelor's degree in marketing management from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

Mark is a computer systems engineer and analyst for the federal government. He used to be the senior advisor to the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, the director of communications for the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, and the national training project manager for IBM Global Services. He also used to be a reserve sheriff's deputy for Los Angeles County.

Mark Vafiades' campaign for state senator is his first entry into politics.

Annandale Today, Pro-Youngkin candidate wants to represent Annandale in the VA Senate

Opposes the Virginia Clean Economy Act, which is set to transition Virginia to 100% renewable energy by 2050.

Opposes the "clean car" law, which would require car companies to make more low and zero emission vehicles beginning in 2025.

Wants to reduce energy and electricity costs.

Opposes legislation approved in Virginia in 2020 that requires Dominion Energy to move to green energy and close fossil-fuel power plants.

Opposes bills that would “mandate electric cars."

- Opposes the Virginia Clean Economy Act, which is set to transition Virginia to 100% renewable energy by 2050.
- Opposes the "clean car" law, which would require car companies to make more low and zero emission vehicles beginning in 2025.
- Wants to reduce energy and electricity costs.
- Opposes legislation approved in Virginia in 2020 that requires Dominion Energy to move to green energy and close fossil-fuel power plants.
- Opposes bills that would “mandate electric cars."

As of June 24, 2025, Mark Vafiades’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Opposes education about race and racism in public schools.

Believes that parents should decide what children learn in school rather than the school system.

- Opposes education about race and racism in public schools.
- Believes that parents should decide what children learn in school rather than the school system.

Stated he was "appalled by the defund the police movement."

- Wants more funding for the police.
- Opposes "police reform" laws.
- Stated he was "appalled by the defund the police movement."

Mark Vafiades

- Your state representative represents the interests of your district in the Virginia State Senate.
- Your state senator can author, sponsor, and vote on bills that may become state laws after going through the legislative process.
- The state Senate, along with the House of Delegates, makes up our state lawmaking body: the Virginia General Assembly.
- General Assembly members work together with the Governor to create the state budget. 
- There are 40 Virginia senators, each representing a single district.
- State Senators are elected to four-year terms. They are paid a yearly salary of $18,000.


Virginia State Senator, District 35

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Energy & the Environment

Economy

Healthcare

Education

Public Safety