Who's In the Race

Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA) faces Republican Edwin Rivera Jr. and independents Makiba Gaines and Stephen Woll in Virginia's 3rd Congressional District on Tuesday, Nov. 3. ​

Scott has represented the district since 1993 and is the ranking member of the House Education and Workforce Committee. Rivera is an Army veteran and former Puerto Rico police officer. Gaines is a civil rights attorney. Woll served 21 years as a Navy meteorology and oceanography officer and works as a business consultant. Scott ran unopposed in the Democratic primary.

What They Stand For

Bobby Scott supports education and workforce investment, single-payer health care, Chesapeake Bay conservation, and protecting Social Security from benefit cuts.

Edwin Rivera advocates higher teacher pay, school renovations, career and technical education, and increased funding for historically Black colleges and universities. He opposes Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel tolls and supports affordable health care, law enforcement funding, small-business tax credits, and lower taxes.

Makiba Gaines emphasizes affordability and flood protection, including wetland restoration, drainage upgrades, and flood barriers. She supports restrictions on data centers where necessary, opposes shifting their energy costs onto ratepayers and advocates health care price transparency and affordable prescriptions.

Stephen Woll supports zoning changes to expand housing, assistance for first-time homebuyers and restrictions on data centers' energy use. He advocates renewable energy for new data centers, rescinding broad tariffs, raising the federal minimum wage and strengthening congressional oversight of the executive branch.

The Money Behind the Race

Federal Election Commission filings show Scott reported approximately $688,200 in receipts and $191,843 in cash on hand through July 15. Rivera reported approximately $6,555 in receipts, while Woll reported approximately $34,000. Gaines had no reported receipts. Combined candidate receipts totaled $718,679 as of Oct. 5, though that total requires reconciliation with individual filings.

Race Outlook: Ratings and Betting Markets

The Cook Political Report, Sabato's Crystal Ball and Inside Elections rated the race Solid Democratic as of Sept. 25, Sept. 29 and Oct. 2, respectively. On Kalshi, Democratic contracts reflected a 94.47% implied probability as of Oct. 8.

Scott won approximately 67% in 2022 and 70% in 2024. Democrats won six of Virginia's 11 House seats in both elections. Kamala Harris carried Virginia with approximately 52% in 2024.

Regular voter registration closes Oct. 23, but eligible voters can register in person afterward and cast provisional ballots through Election Day. Early voting runs Sept. 18-Oct. 31. Mail-ballot applications must arrive by 5 p.m. Oct. 23. Election Day polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

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