Virginia politics usually feels like a tug-of-war where nobody actually moves, but the 2024 cycle felt different. It wasn't just a "status quo" year. If you were looking at who is running for congress in virginia 2024, you probably noticed some familiar faces disappeared and some wild primary battles shook things up before we even got to November.
Honestly, the biggest story wasn't just the names on the ballot. It was the "musical chairs" happening in Northern Virginia and the massive upset in the 5th District. We had two open seats because big-name incumbents decided they had better things to do—or at least different things. Abigail Spanberger (7th District) decided to gun for the Governor's mansion in 2025, and Jennifer Wexton (10th District) had to step back due to health reasons.
That left a massive power vacuum.
The High-Stakes Battlegrounds: Districts 7 and 10
When an incumbent leaves, everyone and their cousin decides they’re a statesman. In the 7th District, the race to replace Spanberger became a national focal point. On the Democratic side, you had Eugene Vindman, a name you likely recognize from the first Trump impeachment saga. He managed to claw his way through a crowded primary field to face off against Republican Derrick Anderson, a former Green Beret.
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Vindman ended up winning that one, but it was tight. Like, "don't go to sleep yet" tight.
Then you’ve got the 10th District. This area is basically the "Silicon Valley of the East," and the primary was a mad scramble. Suhas Subramanyam, a state senator with a background as an Obama White House advisor, eventually came out on top for the Democrats. He faced Republican Mike Clancy. Subramanyam won, making history as the first Indian-American from Virginia headed to the Hill. It’s a big deal for representation in a district that is incredibly diverse.
The Incumbents Who Kept Their Seats
Most of the "old guard" held the line. It’s kinda hard to unseat someone who’s been there for a decade unless there’s a massive scandal or a redder-than-red wave.
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- District 1: Rob Wittman (R) took down Leslie Mehta. Wittman has been there since 2007; he knows how to keep that seat warm.
- District 2: Jen Kiggans (R) faced a massive challenge from Missy Cotter Smasal. This was a "swing" district that everyone watched, but Kiggans held on.
- District 3: Bobby Scott (D), a legend in Newport News, easily beat John Sitka III.
- District 4: Jennifer McClellan (D) cruised to victory against Bill Moher.
- District 6: Ben Cline (R) beat Ken Mitchell. No real surprises there.
- District 8: Don Beyer (D) defeated Jerry Torres in a very blue Alexandria/Arlington bubble.
- District 9: Morgan Griffith (R) stayed strong in Southwest Virginia against Karen Baker.
- District 11: Gerry Connolly (D) kept his seat against Michael Van Meter.
The 5th District Drama: Bob Good’s Exit
You can't talk about who is running for congress in virginia 2024 without mentioning the absolute chaos in the 5th District. This was a Republican-on-Republican civil war. Incumbent Bob Good, who chaired the House Freedom Caucus, ended up losing his primary to John McGuire.
Why? Basically, McGuire got the Trump endorsement, and in a district like the 5th, that’s gold.
Good tried to fight the results, talked about recounts, and kept things messy for weeks. But eventually, McGuire moved to the general election and beat Democrat Gloria Tinsley Witt. It goes to show that even if you’re a sitting congressman, you’re never truly "safe" if the base decides they like someone else better.
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The Senate Race: Kaine vs. Cao
While the House races were the main course, the Senate race was the backdrop. Tim Kaine, the former VP nominee and Virginia staple, was up for re-election. He was challenged by Hung Cao, a retired Navy Captain who ran a very energetic, very conservative campaign.
Cao made some headlines—some good, some "ridonkulous" (his actual word for some of the local media coverage). Kaine ended up winning by about 9 points. It wasn't the blowout some expected, but Kaine’s brand in Virginia is still pretty bulletproof. He’s got that "dad energy" that seems to resonate even with people who aren't super thrilled with the national Democratic party.
Key Takeaways for Virginia Voters
- Redistricting is still settling in. The lines moved a bit a couple of years ago, and we are still seeing how those suburban shifts affect the "purple" nature of the state.
- Endorsements matter. In the 5th and the 7th, who stood next to the candidate on stage made a massive difference in fundraising and turnout.
- Open seats are expensive. The amount of money poured into Districts 7 and 10 was staggering. If you lived there, your mailbox was likely a graveyard for political flyers.
Now that the dust has settled and the 119th Congress is in session, the focus shifts to 2025. Virginia is one of the few states with major "off-year" elections, so the cycle never really stops.
If you want to keep tabs on how these folks are actually voting now that they're in D.C., you should check out the Virginia Public Access Project (VPAP) or GovTrack. They track every vote and every dollar, which is honestly the only way to know if the person you saw on the ballot is doing what they promised. You can also sign up for your specific representative's newsletter to see what they’re prioritizing in their first few months.