Virginia's delayed primary sets up high-stakes November election
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Richmond-area voters are back at the polls Tuesday for the third statewide election in nine months — and the biggest ballot is still ahead.
Why it matters: We're in the middle of one of the busiest voting stretches the state has seen in years.
Catch up quick: Since November, Virginia voters have:
- Elected a new governor.
- Approved a congressional redistricting referendum, which was later thrown out by the state Supreme Court.
- And are now picking nominees for November races that could help determine control of the U.S. House.
Zoom in: Next comes a November ballot that will include:
- Sen. Mark Warner's reelection race.
- Constitutional amendments on abortion rights, marriage equality, and automatic voting rights for people with felony convictions upon release from prison.
- Local 1% sales tax referendums for school construction in Richmond and Chesterfield.
Between the lines: Voters will have about six weeks before early in-person voting starts for November's election. Lawmakers pushed the primary from June to August while the redistricting fight played out.
- There are no primaries for the 4th District, which covers Richmond and is represented by Rep. Jennifer McClellan.
Here are the primary elections affecting the Richmond area. Polls are open 6am-7pm Tuesday:
🏛️ U.S. Senate
While Sen. Mark Warner doesn't have any Democratic challengers, three Republicans are vying to unseat him:
- Bert Mizusawa, a retired Army major general and former Pentagon official who has also raised the most money.
- Kim Farington, a NoVa businesswoman and former federal employee.
- David Williams, a businessman, military vet, former CIA officer and former State Department employee.
☝️ 1st District
The 1st District captures parts of Chesterfield, Henrico and Hanover.
- Seven Democrats are competing for the chance to challenge Republican Rep. Rob Wittman, who has represented the district for nearly 20 years.
They include: Henrico's Commonwealth's Attorney Shannon Taylor, largely seen as the frontrunner; energy lobbyist Jason Knapp; Virginia Poverty Law Center attorney Salaam Bhatti, and Army vet and Henrico business lawyer Mel Tull.
- Plus: Army vet Elizabeth Dempsey Beggs; environmental organizer Tim Cywinski; and health care lawyer Ericka Kopp.
🖐 5th District
The Republican-leaning 5th District is the only congressional race in Virginia with a Democratic and Republican primary. It covers parts of Goochland, Powhatan and Hanover.
- Republicans: Trump-endorsed incumbent John McGuire and business owner Melanie Lucero.
- Democrats: Tom Perriello, an attorney and former congressman widely viewed as the frontrunner; freelance writer Rob Tracinski; and Lynchburg-based family doctor Suzanne Krzyzanowski.
👀 Chesterfield Dale District
Because no Republican is running, Tuesday's special Democratic primary will likely determine who serves the remainder of the late Jim Holland's term as Chesterfield's Dale District supervisor through December 2027.
- LeQuan Hylton: Holland asked him to fill in as interim supervisor before his death, and the board unanimously approved his appointment. He's also a VSU grad and Army vet.
- Kathryn Crosby: longtime resident and the first DEI officer at the state health department. She'd be Chesterfield's first Black woman supervisor if elected.
Editor's note: This story has been corrected to reflect that Elizabeth Dempsey Beggs is the daughter of a nurse and former police officer (not a nurse and former police officer herself).