The 2026 United States House of Representatives elections in Virginia will be held on November 3, 2026, to elect the 11 U.S. representatives from the state of Virginia, one from each of the state's congressional districts. The elections will coincide with other elections to the House of Representatives, elections to the United States Senate, and various state and local elections. Primary elections took place on August 4, 2026.
Contents
Redistricting
Background
In April 2026, voters narrowly approved a constitutional amendment to allow for mid-decade redistricting and to instate a map that would have likely given Democrats 10 of Virginia's 11 seats in the House of Representatives. However, on May 8, the Supreme Court of Virginia ruled the referendum vote null and void in a 4–3 decision, stating the General Assembly "violated the intervening-election requirement in Article XII, Section 1 of the Constitution of Virginia" by first passing the amendment while early voting was underway for the 2025 elections. As a result, the 2021 Special Masters map remained in effect for the 2026 midterms. Following the ruling, House Speaker Don Scott and Attorney General Jay Jones filed an emergency appeal to the Supreme Court of the United States and filed a motion requesting the state Supreme Court to pause its ruling from taking effect while the appeal plays out. On May 15, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the appeal.
District 1
The 1st district is based in the western Chesapeake Bay and includes portions of suburban Richmond. Within the district are western Henrico and Chesterfield counties. Other localities in the district include Colonial Beach, Mechanicsville, and Williamsburg. The incumbent is Republican Rob Wittman, who was re-elected with 56.3% of the vote in 2024.
Election background
Congressman Wittman, first elected in the 2007 special election for this seat, has not faced serious opposition from Democrats in previous election cycles. However, with the district trending toward Democrats in recent years. President Donald Trump narrowly carried the district while losing statewide by mid-single digits in the 2024 presidential election, and Democrat Abigail Spanberger won the district in the 2025 gubernatorial election. Democrats now view Wittman as potentially vulnerable to a serious competitor. As a result, seven Democrats filed to seek the nomination against Wittman, with Henrico County Commonwealth's Attorney Shannon Taylor ultimately winning the nomination. Despite Wittman facing a serious challenge for the first time, most predictors expect the race to still favor the incumbent.
Republican primary
Rob Wittman, incumbent U.S. representative
Democratic primary
Shannon Taylor, Henrico County commonwealth's attorney (2012–present) and candidate for attorney general in 2025
Salaam Bhatti, attorney
Elizabeth Dempsey Beggs, U.S. Army veteran
Tim Cywinski, communications director
Jason Knapp, former U.S. Navy fighter pilot and national security official
Ericka Kopp, attorney
Mel Tull, business lawyer
Lisa Vedernikova Khanna, corporate chief of staff
Lewis Littlepage, retired prosecutor
Andrew Lucchetti, attorney
Amanda Pohl, Chesterfield County Clerk of Court and nominee for SD-11 in 2019
James Shea, high school economics teacher
Sean Sublette, meteorologist
Eugene Vindman, U.S. representative for VA-7 (2025–present) (running in the 7th district after the 2026 Virginia redistricting amendment was struck down)
Italics indicate a withdrawn candidate.
District 2
The 2nd district is based in Hampton Roads, containing the cities of Chesapeake, Franklin, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach. Virginia's Eastern Shore is also located within the district. The incumbent is Republican Jen Kiggans, who was re-elected with 50.7% of the vote in 2024.
Election background
Virginia's 2nd congressional district is one of the most competitive districts in the country. The district has a long history of ticket splitting, with voters supporting both Democrats and Republicans on the same ballot for different offices. For instance, in 2024, Donald Trump narrowly carried the district, while Democratic Senator Tim Kaine also carried it. In 2025, Democrats Abigail Spanberger and Ghazala Hashmi won the district in their respective races, while Republican Jason Miyares carried it in his. As a result, the district has a Cook Partisan Voting Index rating of EVEN. Congresswoman Kiggans successfully defended her seat in the 2024 election. Democrats subsequently nominated former Congresswoman Elaine Luria, setting up a rematch of the 2022 election, in which then State Senator Kiggans defeated Luria for the seat. This is expected to be one of the most closely watched races in the 2026 midterms.
In May 2026, Kiggans appeared on a radio show where the radio host, Rich Herrera, criticized House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries's efforts to redraw the state's congressional districts saying, "get your cotton‑picking hands off of Virginia." Kiggans replied, "That's right. Ditto. Yes. Yes to that", receiving criticism from Democrats. Kiggans apologized and clarified her positions, in which she disagreed with the statement's connection to slavery from the host.
In September 2026, Luria sued the Virginia Department of Elections in an attempt to remove independent candidate Bishop Staten from the ballot. In the suit, Luria alleges that, despite over 600 signatures having been declared invalid, an additional 18 should also be rejected, which would bring Staten under the required threshold to appear on the ballot. Staten is running on the Democratic Socialists of America platform, though the local DSA chapter denies any affiliation with him. Staten has a long history of supporting President Trump.
Republican primary
Jen Kiggans, incumbent U.S. representative
Democratic primary
Elaine Luria, former U.S. representative (2019–2023)
Nila Devanath, hospital physician and former attorney
Bill Fleming, conservation director for Virginia Dare Soil and Water Conservation District representing Virginia Beach
Patrick Mosolf, former USAID official
James Osyf, national security executive at Lockheed Martin
Nicolaus Sleister, security professional
Matt Strickler, former Virginia Secretary of Natural Resources (2018–2021)
Mike Williamson, national security strategist (running for state senate; endorsed Luria)
Burk Stringfellow, teacher
Aaron Rouse, state senator from the 22nd district (2023–present) and candidate for lieutenant governor in 2025
Italics indicate a withdrawn candidate.
Independents
Matt Baker, U.S. Marine veteran
Bishop Staten, civil servant
General election
Jen Kiggans vs. Elaine Luria
District 3
The 3rd district encompasses the inner Hampton Roads, including parts of Hampton and Norfolk, as well as Newport News. The incumbent is Democrat Bobby Scott, who was re-elected with 70% of the vote in 2024.
Election background
Congressman Scott represents a safe Democratic seat and is not expected to face a serious challenge from Republicans or independents.
Democratic primary
Bobby Scott, incumbent U.S. representative
Justin Maffett, lawyer
Republican primary
Edwin Rivera, U.S. Army veteran
Independent candidates
Makiba Gaines, attorney
Steve Woll, U.S. Navy veteran
Dawn Vasquez
Italics indicate a withdrawn candidate.
District 4
The 4th district takes in the city of Richmond and portions of Southside Virginia following Interstate 95. Within the district are the cities of Colonial Heights, Emporia, Hopewell, and Petersburg. The incumbent is Democrat Jennifer McClellan who was re-elected with 67.3% of the vote in 2024.
Election background
Congresswoman McClellan represents a safe Democratic seat and is not expected to face a serious challenge from Republicans or independents.
Democratic primary
Jennifer McClellan, incumbent U.S. representative
Republican primary
Robert Murray, former CIO Advisory Leader for IBM
Independents
Joan Andrews Bell, anti-abortion activist and convicted felon
District 5
The 5th district encompasses the majority of rural Southside Virginia, including the cities of Charlottesville, Danville, and Lynchburg. The incumbent is Republican John McGuire, who was elected with 57.3% of the vote in 2024.
Election background
Despite the 5th district being a strong Republican bastion that has continued to back Republicans even amid double-digit statewide losses, such as in the 2025 elections, the DCCC has placed the district on its list of targeted seats to flip. Congressman McGuire, a freshman member of the House, won this seat with 57.3% of the vote in the last election after narrowly ousting former Congressman Bob Good in a primary. Democrats nominated former Congressman Tom Perriello, who held this seat for one term from 2009 to 2011. The race is expected to favor the freshman incumbent; however, predictors are hesitant to rate the seat as safe due to Perriello outraising McGuire. If Perriello pulls the upset, he would be the fifth different representative for this seat in the last six election cycles.
Republican primary
John McGuire, incumbent U.S. representative
Melanie Lucero, real estate agent
Democratic primary
Tom Perriello, former special envoy for Sudan (2024–2025), former U.S. representative (2009–2011)
Suzanne Krzyzanowski, physician
Robert Tracinski, political commentator
Gabriella Bedsworth, screenwriter
Salaam Bhatti, attorney (running in 1st district after redistricting struck down)
Mike Pruitt, Albemarle County supervisor (endorsed Perriello)
Paul Riley, defense contractor and candidate for this district in 2024
Adele Stichel, attorney
Shannon Taylor, Henrico County Commonwealth's Attorney (2012–present) and candidate for Attorney General in 2025 (running in 1st district after redistricting struck down)
Kate Zabriskie, corporate training firm owner
Italics indicate a withdrawn candidate.
Independents
Cooke Harvey, vocational therapist
District 6
The 6th district is located in western Virginia taking in the Shenandoah Valley along Interstate 81. The district is anchored at the southern end by the cities of Roanoke and Salem. The incumbent is Republican Ben Cline, who was re-elected with 63.1% of the vote in 2024.
Election background
Although Democrat Beth Macy has outraised Congressman Cline, the 6th district is even more Republican than its counterpart in the 5th. As a result, the DCCC did not place the seat on its targeted list of seats to flip, and Congressman Cline is not expected to face a serious challenge.
Republican primary
Ben Cline, incumbent U.S. representative
Democratic primary
Beth Macy, author and journalist
Pete Barlow, former emergency manager for FEMA
Wendy Gooditis, former state delegate from the 10th district (2018–2024)
Ken Mitchell, farmer and nominee for this district in 2024
Hugh Murray, attorney
Sam Rasoul, state delegate from the 38th district (2014–present), nominee for this district in 2008, and candidate for Lieutenant Governor in 2021
District 7
The 7th district is based in suburban, exurban, and rural areas of Northern and Central Virginia. The district contains Bowling Green, Culpeper, the city of Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Stafford, Stanardsville, Woodbridge, and a small sliver of Albemarle County. The incumbent is Democrat Eugene Vindman, who was elected with 51.2% of the vote in 2024.
Election background
The NRCC has placed the 7th district on its list of seats to target and flip. Its strategy is to attempt to tie incumbent freshman Congressman Vindman to the historically unpopular Governor Abigail Spanberger in hopes of stirring resentment among rural portions of the district over Democrats' failed redistricting attempt. Vindman is also a polarizing figure within his own party, as he has broken party ranks to vote with Republicans on legislation such as the Laken Riley Act, the Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act, and H.R. 2616 (also known as the Stopping Indoctrination and Protecting Kids Act). These votes have drawn criticism from the progressive wing of the party, particularly among immigrant, pro-Palestinian, and transgender activists. He faces Republican nominee Doug Ollivant, who formerly served on the United States National Security Council under President George W. Bush. The race is expected to favor Vindman, as the district narrowly voted yes on the redistricting amendment; however, six candidates appear on the ballot for the general election. Including 2024 Constitution Party presidential nominee Randall Terry. Vindman will not attend a candidate forum at the University of Mary Washington. However, three of the six candidates accepted the invitation.
Democratic primary
Eugene Vindman, incumbent U.S. representative (2025–present)
J.P. Cooney, former federal prosecutor
Elizabeth Guzmán, state delegate from the 22nd district (2026–present) and 31st district (2018–2022), candidate for this district in 2024, and candidate for state senate in 2023
Dan Helmer, state delegate for the 10th district (2020–present) and candidate for the 10th congressional district in 2018 and 2024
Dorothy McAuliffe, former first lady of Virginia (2014–2018)
Adele McClure, state delegate from the 2nd district (2024–present)
Matthew Rainforth
Saddam Salim, State Senator from the 37th district (2024–present)
Joe Schiarizzi, affordable housing activist
Jonathan Schmeelk
Alex Thymmons, veteran
Olivia Troye, former Homeland Security and Counterterrorism advisor to Vice President Mike Pence
Italics indicate a withdrawn candidate.
Republican primary
Doug Ollivant, former Director for Iraq at the U.S. National Security Council
Philip Harding, United Pentecostal Church International Minister, entrepreneur
Ricky Smithers, pastor
Tara Durant, state senator from the 27th district (2024–present)
Darius Mayfield, talent manager and nominee for New Jersey's 12th congressional district in 2022 and 2024
Alex Thymmons, Afghan war veteran (running as a Democrat)
John Gray, accountant and nominee for HD-25 in 2023
Waverly Washington, U.S. Army reservist
Jacob Roginsky, perennial candidate
Italics indicate a withdrawn candidate.
Third party and independents
Alaha Ahrar (Independent), non-profit CEO
Joshua Ertle (Independent), video and audio producer
Taner Lopez (Libertarian), author
Randall Terry (Independent), anti-abortion activist, Constitution Party nominee for president in 2024, and perennial candidate
District 8
The 8th district is located in Northern Virginia and includes populous cities and suburbs, such as the cities of Alexandria and Falls Church, the entirety of Arlington, and parts of eastern Fairfax County. The incumbent is Democrat Don Beyer, who was re-elected with 71.5% of the vote in 2024.
Election background
Congressman Beyer represents a safe Democratic seat and is not expected to face a serious challenge from Republicans, third parties, or independents.
Democratic primary
Don Beyer, incumbent U.S. representative
Lorena Thorne Bruner, entrepreneur
Michael Duffin, former State Department official
Adam Dunigan, former operations officer for the Central Intelligence Agency
Mo Seifeldein, former at-large Alexandria city councillor (2019–2021)
Frank Ferreira, former FEMA whistleblower
Daniel Gray, program manager
Jason Knapp, former U.S. Navy fighter pilot and national security official (running in the 1st district)
Republican primary
Tony Sabio, former CIA and Secret Service officer
Heerak Christian Kim, educator and perennial candidate
Luke Nathan Phillips, tour guide
Third parties and independents
Shelly Arnoldi (Libertarian), activist and independent candidate for HD-16 in 2025
Tim Sharman (Independent), consultant
District 9
The 9th district takes in rural southwest Virginia, including Abingdon, Blacksburg, Bristol and Norton. The incumbent is Republican Morgan Griffith, who was re-elected with 72.5% of the vote in 2024.
Election background
Congressman Griffith represents a safe Republican seat and is not expected to face a serious challenge from Democrats. Griffith has refused to debate his Democratic challenger Joy Powers.
Republican primary
Morgan Griffith, incumbent U.S. representative
Brandon Cook, security guard
Democratic primary
Joy Powers, farmer and nominee for Virginia's 51st House of Delegates district in 2025
Doug Crockett, retired United Methodist pastor and attorney
Adam Murphy, software developer
Brandi Hall
District 10
The 10th district is based in the Northern Virginia suburbs and exurbs, encompassing Fauquier, Loudoun, and Rappahannock counties, the independent cities of Manassas and Manassas Park, and portions of Fairfax and Prince William counties. The incumbent is Democrat Suhas Subramanyam, who was elected with 52.1% of the vote in 2024.
Election background
Congressman Subramanyam has a significant fundraising advantage and is not expected to face a serious challenge from Republicans. Subramanyam will meet his Republican challenger, Dave Beckwith, at a debate held at The National Conference Center in Loudoun County on September 22.
Democratic primary
Suhas Subramanyam, incumbent U.S. representative
Republican primary
Dave Beckwith, U.S. Air Force veteran and candidate for this seat in 2022
Julie Perry, teacher and nominee for SD-36 in 2023
Anthony Suttles
Sam Wong, retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel (remained on ballot)
Independents
Ahsen Malik, educator
District 11
The 11th district encompasses portions of suburban Northern Virginia, including the city of Fairfax and portions of Fairfax County. The incumbent is Democrat James Walkinshaw, who was elected with 75.1% of the vote in a special election to finish the term of representative Gerry Connolly, who died in office on May 21, 2025. Connolly had previously announced he would not run for re-election in April, citing health concerns.
Election background
Congressman Walkinshaw represents a safe Democratic seat and is not expected to face a serious challenge from Republicans or third parties.
Democratic primary
James Walkinshaw, incumbent U.S. representative
Bree Fram, retired U.S. Space Force colonel
Amy Roma, lawyer
Italics indicate a withdrawn candidate.
Republican primary
Arthur Purves, president of the Fairfax County taxpayers alliance and perennial candidate
Gavin Solomon, businessman
Italics indicate a withdrawn candidate.
Green Party
Dianne Blais, activist
