Virginia’s congressional races are about to get intense
Virginia Congressional Races Heating Up as Candidates Declare Candidacy
Virginia’s upcoming congressional races are set to be highly competitive, with candidates required to declare their candidacy by April 15 to secure a spot on June’s primary ballot.
The seventh and tenth districts are expected to be the most closely contested. Representative Abigail Spanberger, a Democrat from the seventh district, has announced her run for governor, while Representative Jennifer Wexton, a Democrat from the tenth district, will not seek reelection due to illness.
Republican Representative Jen Kiggans from the second district may also face a tough fight. Historically, Republicans have had more success in the district, and recent redistricting in 2020 has given it a stronger Republican lean. However, Kiggans’ predecessor, Democrat Elaine Luria, won the district in 2018 and 2020, and Kiggans herself only won by a narrow margin of less than 4% in 2022.
Competitive Field with Numerous Candidates
A total of nearly 40 candidates, including Independents, have thrown their hats into the ring for the seventh and tenth districts, according to Ballotpedia. In the seventh district, there are seven Democrats and eight Republicans running, while the tenth district has 13 Democrats and seven Republicans vying for the seat.
These two districts are the only ones in Virginia’s 11 congressional districts that have been deemed competitive by The Virginia Public Access Project. This determination is based on the outcomes of the 2021 gubernatorial election and the most recent congressional election in 2022.
Strong Performances and Notable Candidates
In the seventh district, Spanberger narrowly lost to Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin in 2021 but won by a similar margin in 2022. Wexton’s tenth district leans more towards the Democrats, with former Democratic Governor Terry McAuliffe winning by less than 2% in 2021, while Wexton secured a victory of over 6% in 2022.
Among the Democratic candidates in the seventh district, Elizabeth Guzman and Brianna Sewell have experience as state legislators. Guzman served as a delegate from 2018-2024 and Sewell was elected as a delegate in November. Eugene Vindman, a well-known name on the Democratic side, gained recognition for blowing the whistle on former President Donald Trump’s actions regarding Ukraine. Vindman, who immigrated from Ukraine in 1979, served in the U.S. military for 25 years and played a key role in Trump’s first impeachment.
Vindman currently leads all candidates in fundraising for the seventh district, with a significant lead of approximately $1.5 million.
On the Republican side, none of the candidates have previously held a state office, although some have run before. Many have extensive military backgrounds and have worked for federal agencies such as the U.S. Department of State, Homeland Security, or Education. Derrick Anderson, a lawyer and former member of the special forces, is leading in Republican fundraising with over $460,000.
In the tenth district, several high-profile Democrats are vying for the seat, including State Senator Jennifer Boysko, former Delegate Eileen Filler-Corn, and current Delegates Dan Helmer, Michelle Maldonado, and David Reid. Filler-Corn holds the record for the longest-serving delegate in the state Legislature, with 14 years of service. Boysko has been a senator since 2020, following four years in the House of Delegates.
Among the Republican candidates, Aliscia Andrews is the only primary nominee. She previously ran against Wexton in 2020 but lost by over 10%. Andrews, a Marine Corps veteran, has served as the state Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security and was the state’s first Deputy Secretary of Cybersecurity. She is also the director of Northern Virginia for Glenn Youngkin’s political action committee, Spirit of Virginia.
Recent Election Results Indicate a Competitive Landscape
In the 2023 General Assembly general election, where all 140 seats of the state Legislature were up for reelection, The Virginia Public Access Project identified seven House of Delegates races and four Senate races as competitive. Ultimately, Republicans won seven out of the 11 contests, but the average margin of victory for all races was just over 3%.
How are the candidates addressing healthcare concerns in Virginia, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic?
In the tenth district, several notable candidates have emerged. One such candidate is Delegate Dan Helmer, who ran for the Democratic nomination for the seat in 2018. Helmer is a military veteran and has made healthcare and climate change key parts of his platform. Another prominent Democratic candidate is former grass-roots organizer, Mavis Taintor, who has emphasized her deep ties to the community and commitment to progressive policies.
On the Republican side, Jason Miyares, the current Virginia Attorney General, is running in the seventh district. Miyares, who is of Cuban and Japanese descent, has positioned himself as a strong conservative and defender of individual rights. In the tenth district, several Republican candidates have emerged, including Rob Wittman, a current representative who has held the seat since 2007. Wittman has highlighted his experience and commitment to conservative values as reasons for his candidacy.
Key Issues in the Race
As the candidates jockey for position, several key issues have emerged as focal points of the campaigns. Healthcare is a major concern for many voters, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Both Democrats and Republicans have proposed various plans to address the rising costs of healthcare and ensure access for all Virginians.
Climate change is another significant issue in the race, particularly in the tenth district, which includes parts of Northern Virginia. Many candidates have put forward ambitious plans to combat climate change and transition to renewable energy sources. The seventh district, with its mix of suburban and rural areas, also has voters concerned about environmental protection and sustainable development.
Criminal justice reform and police accountability have also become key issues in the wake of nationwide protests against police violence. Candidates have proposed various ideas to address these concerns, ranging from increased funding for social programs to stricter oversight of law enforcement agencies.
Conclusion
The congressional races in Virginia are heating up as candidates declare their candidacy and vie for a spot on the primary ballot. In the seventh and tenth districts, the competition is particularly intense, with numerous candidates from both major parties and a range of backgrounds and experience. Key issues in the race include healthcare, climate change, and criminal justice reform. As the campaigns unfold, Virginians will be closely watching to see who emerges as the top contenders and who will ultimately represent their districts in Congress.
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