Shocking Nominees Emerge in Virginia: Will Your Vote Change Everything This January?

Voters in Northern Virginia are heading to the polls today to nominate candidates for the House of Delegates, potentially shaping the future of the Virginia General Assembly. This special election, scheduled for January 13, 2026, comes as several Democratic lawmakers step down to join the administration of Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger, who is set to take office in January.

Currently, the Democrats hold a commanding 63-37 majority in the Virginia House of Delegates. The resignations include Del. David Bulova, representing Fairfax City and parts of Fairfax County, and Del. Candi Mundon King, who serves Prince William and Stafford counties. Both have been appointed to key positions in Spanberger’s administration, with Bulova selected as Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources and King as Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Each party has until December 17 to submit their nominees for the upcoming special election, as indicated by a writ of special elections filed by Virginia House Speaker Don Scott. This election could further influence the balance of power in the Assembly, especially given the recent shifts in leadership.

District 11: A Competitive Democratic Primary

In District 11, which encompasses all of Fairfax City and portions of Fairfax County, five Democrats are vying for the nomination in a firehouse primary. Among the candidates is Gretchen Bulova, the wife of the outgoing delegate and chair of the Fairfax County 250th Commission. The other contenders include Vanessa Cardenas, So Lim, Douglas Shuster, and Denver Supinger.

To participate in the primary, voters must be registered in District 11 and sign a declaration of support for the Democratic Party. The firehouse primary process is unique; it is organized by local political parties rather than the state, allowing for a more community-focused approach. The voting locations will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the following sites:

• Fairfax Presbyterian Church at 10723 Main Street
• Jim Scott Community Center at 3001 Vaden Drive
• Fairfax County Government Center at 12000 Government Center Parkway

Gretchen Bulova brings experience as a local leader, while Cardenas advocates for immigration policy changes as the executive director of America’s Voice. Lim positions herself as a progressive, having previously served on the Fairfax City Council. Shuster leads the Miller Heights Neighborhood Association, and Supinger has a background as the chief of staff to Del. Karrie Delaney and runs a consulting firm focused on social impact.

This will be the second firehouse primary that Fairfax voters have participated in this year, following the nomination process to replace the late Congressman Gerry Connolly.

On the Republican side, Adam Wise has been confirmed as the nominee without the need for a caucus. Wise previously ran for the District 11 seat in November but lost to Bulova.

District 23: Another Competitive Race

Meanwhile, in District 23, which includes parts of Prince William and Stafford counties, a Democratic caucus is also taking place today. The caucus will run from noon to 7 p.m. at the Dumfries Community Center and the Porter Branch Library. Two candidates are set to appear on the ballot: Woodbridge Supervisor Margaret Franklin and Muhammed “Sef” Casim.

Once the Republican nominee is finalized, further details will emerge about the competition in this district. Voters in District 23, like those in District 11, will head back to the polls on January 13, 2026, to elect their new delegate.

In addition to these local races, voters outside of Northern Virginia will participate in a separate special election on January 6, 2026, to fill vacancies in the Richmond area, including a new state senator in House District 15 and a new delegate in District 77, following similar resignations to Spanberger's administration.

As these elections unfold, they will not only determine the immediate representation for these districts but also set the stage for future political dynamics in Virginia. The outcome could have significant implications for key issues, from local governance to broader state policies.