The rematch for Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District is expected to be one of the most competitive congressional races in the country.
Democrats and Republicans nominated their candidates to run in this fall’s midterm elections on Tuesday.
Elaine Luria won 80% of the vote in the four-way race to be the Democratic nominee for the 2nd Congressional District in Hampton Roads. Luria held the seat from 2019 to 2023 before losing the seat to Republican incumbent US Rep. Jen Kiggans.
“Virginians want lower costs and less corruption, and I’m ready to serve and deliver for the people of Hampton Roads who are being left behind by Jen Kiggans and Donald Trump,” Luria said in a statement on Tuesday night.
The rematch between Luria and Kiggans is expected to be one of the most competitive congressional races in Virginia and the country. It’s one of the seats Democrats hope they can flip to help their party take control of the US House of Representatives and act as a check on President Donald Trump’s agenda.
Democrats are also looking to flip Virginia’s 1st Congressional District in their favor in what’s expected to be another competitive election this fall.
Shannon Taylor beat six candidates with 53% of the vote to be the Democratic nominee to take on Republican US Rep. Rob Wittman, who’s represented the 1st District since 2007.
Taylor has served as Henrico County’s Commonwealth’s Attorney since 2012. Last year, she ran to be the Democratic nominee for Virginia’s attorney general before losing to current Attorney General Jay Jones.
“As Henrico’s top prosecutor, I have worked with Democrats, Republicans, and independents to keep my community safe and stood up to them when it was necessary,” Taylor said in a statement last night. “I will bring that same approach to Congress.”
While those two races are shaping up to be the most competitive in Virginia, Democratic and Republican challengers are still making their cases in less competitive races.
Tom Perriello, a former member of Congress, won the Democratic nomination in Virginia’s 5th Congressional District with 79% of the vote. He will challenge Republican US Rep. John McGuire, who overcame a primary challenger yesterday, to once again take the seat for the 5th Congressional District that Perriello previously occupied from 2009 to 2011.
“My top priority will be to cut costs and bills by getting rid of the trade war, Iran war, and war on common sense,” Perriello said in a statement last night. “Our communities deserve a real fighter who refuses to take money from the lobbyists and corporate PACs, and people around here know they can trust me to do just that.”
Joy Powers, a cattle farmer and business owner, won the Democratic nomination in the 9th Congressional District to challenge Republican US Rep. Morgan Griffith.
Incumbent US Rep. Don Beyer of Virginia’s 8th Congressional District fended off four Democratic challengers to be the nominee for a seat he’s held since 2015.
Republican Bert Mizusawa, a retired general, won the Republican nomination to challenge Democratic US Sen. Mark Warner.
Republican Doug Ollivant won the nomination to challenge Democrat US Rep. Eugene Vindman in the 7th Congressional District. Ollivant has served on the National Security Council.
Dave Beckwith, a US retired air force colonel, won the Republican nomination to run in the 10th Congressional District against Democratic US Rep. Suhas Subramanyam.
Election Day for these races is on November 3.
The deadline to register to vote is Oct. 23.
Early in-person voting begins Sept. 18 and ends Oct. 31.
