The Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund endorsed state Sen. Adam Ebbin on Tuesday in the crowded Democratic primary for Virginia’s 8th District.  

Ebbin is one of two openly gay state legislators in Virginia. The other, state Del. Mark Sickles, who announced his orientation in a Washington Post op-ed , is also running in the 8th District race.  

“Adam Ebbin has distinguished himself as an outspoken voice of progressive values,” Torey Carter, chief operating officer at the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, said in a Tuesday news release. “After ten years in the state legislature, he has remained committed to his goal of increasing equality and opportunity for those that are often left behind.”  

Virginia’s 8th District is open this cycle, after longtime Rep. James P. Moran announced his retirement in January . Nearly a dozen Democrats are vying for his heavily Democratic seat, located in the northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C.  

Other candidates running include former Lt. Gov. Don Beyer, who recently completed a stint as ambassador to Switzerland and Lichtenstein , Alexandria Mayor Bill Euille, state Dels. Charniele Herring, Patrick Hope and Alfonso Lopez, as well as radio show host Mark Levine, among others.  

A primary is scheduled for June 3.  

Virginia’s 8th District is rated a Safe Democratic contest by Rothenberg Political Report/Roll Call. President Barack Obama won here in 2012 by a 37-point margin.