By Seth McLaughlin (The Washington Times)
Establishment Democrats got the center‑left nominees they were looking for in two closely watched Virginia House primaries, setting up general election contests that will help determine whether Republicans can hold on to their narrow majority.
Former Rep. Elaine Luria won the Democratic nomination in the 2nd Congressional District, while Shannon Taylor, Henrico County’s commonwealth’s attorney, emerged from a seven‑candidate field in the 1st Congressional District.
The victories were welcome news to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which had placed the two women in its Red to Blue program — a signal that national Democrats see them as strong contenders to flip GOP‑held seats and hope to avoid the sort of far-left insurgents who have won high-profile primaries in other states.
Democrats now hold six of the state’s 11 House seats.
Ms. Luria now gets a rematch with Republican Rep. Jen Kiggans in the Virginia Beach‑area district, rated a toss‑up.
Ms. Kiggans defeated Ms. Luria in 2022 after redistricting pushed the seat to the right. Before that, Ms. Luria rode the 2018 blue wave into Congress. Both candidates are Navy veterans, adding a familiar dynamic to a district with deep military ties.
Ms. Taylor, meanwhile, will face Republican Rep. Rob Wittman in a district stretching from Richmond to the Eastern Shore. Mr. Wittman has served in the House since 2007.
Ms. Taylor’s primary win capped a crowded race and gave Democrats another opportunity to test their strength in a region that has been stubbornly red.
Both Ms. Luria and Ms. Taylor also had the backing of Gov. Abigail Spanberger and Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine — support that underscores how invested statewide Democrats are in reclaiming these seats.
Former Rep. Tom Perriello, who served in the House from 2009 to 2011, also moved a step closer to returning to the House after securing the Democratic nomination in the 5th Congressional District.
He will face Republican Rep. John McGuire, who is favored to win reelection. A former Navy SEAL, Mr. McGuire has held the seat since 2025.
Meanwhile, Mr. Warner learned he will face Republican Bert Mizusawa, a retired Army major general, as he seeks a fourth term in the Senate. Mr. Warner serves as vice chair of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.
The House primary races on Tuesday occurred months after voters approved a new congressional map that would have paved the way for Democrats to win as many as 10 House seats. The map, however, was thrown out by the state Supreme Court.
This article was made available to WMAL via The Washington Times.
