Senator Barbara A. Favola represents Virginia’s 40th district, which includes most of Arlington County.

Experienced, caring leadership

Barbara Favola is an experienced public servant and a fierce advocate for women, children, families, and our most vulnerable populations.

Senator Favola began her career as a Presidential Management Intern, in what is now called the Presidential Fellow Program, and worked her way up to become a Senior Advisor in the Department of Health and Human Services. During her fifteen years with the Department, she worked to improve the health of minorities and increase access to healthcare.

When Senator Favola’s son was born with learning challenges, she focused her attention on ensuring that he obtained a quality education in the Arlington Public Schools. She became involved in the school system, helping school officials and parents understand and implement Individual Educational Plans, in accordance with the federal IDEA law. She was an early proponent of classrooms that are integrated with all types of learners. It was this advocacy that drew her to run for public office. 

Senator Favola won election to the Arlington County Board in 1997, and served as a county board member for fourteen years, including three terms as chairwoman. During her time on the county board, she worked to expand mental health services for youth in public schools, increase access to affordable housing, and improve environmental protections. Senator Favola was a leader in the area of smart growth policies and promoting energy efficient buildings. She led the Chesapeake Bay Committee on the Council of Governments.

Senator Favola was first elected to the state Senate in 2011, and now serves in leadership as a Democratic whip. During her time in the Senate, she has been a pragmatic champion of progressive values, passing countless bills to move Virginia forward. She led the charge on the landmark law to end surprise medical billing in Virginia; expanded the hate crimes statute to cover gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, and disability; and passed legislation restricting the use of restraint and seclusion in public schools. As a breast cancer survivor, Senator Favola is also a leading advocate for women’s health and reproductive rights in the Senate, and serves as chair of the Women’s Healthcare Caucus.

Senator Favola chairs the Senate Rehabilitation and Social Services Committee, where she has guided and championed legislation supporting foster youth, improving child welfare, and reforming Virginia’s prisons to ensure humane and rehabilitation-oriented treatment of the incarcerated. She also serves on the Committees on Finance and Appropriations, and Rules. She is a member of the Education and Health Committee, and chairs its Health subcommittee, where her background in public health and healthcare policy enables her to navigate stakeholders’ interests, thoroughly vet legislation, and effectively push for smart reforms to make healthcare more affordable and accessible. She also works to protect animals and the environment as a member of the Committee on Agriculture, Conservation, and Natural Resources, and as the chair of its Companion Animals subcommittee. In addition, she chairs the Disability Advisory Commission and the Commission on Youth, and serves on Virginia’s Advisory Committee on Sexual and Domestic Violence, the Joint Committee on Healthcare, and the Behavioral Health Commission.

Senator Favola spent her childhood in Connecticut. She graduated from Saint Joseph’s College in West Hartford, Connecticut, and in 1980, earned her Master of Public Administration from New York University. Senator Favola and her husband, Doug Weik, live in Arlington. They have one son, Donald Weik, who graduated from George Mason University and Marymount University. Senator Favola enjoys hiking, doing the Wordle, and drinking bubble tea. 

Senator Favola with husband Doug Weik, daughter-in-law Suttinee Weik, and son Donald Weik.