Who's In the Race
Virginia's 9th Congressional District seat is open for 2026, paving the way for a face off between Republican incumbent Rep. H. Morgan Griffith (R-VA) and Democratic challenger Joy Powers in the Nov. 3 general election.
Griffith has represented the district since 2011 and is an attorney by profession. He ran unopposed in the Republican primary. Powers is a fourth-generation cattle farmer who works on her family's 350-acre farm in Bedford, Virginia, and previously served as superintendent of Bedford County. She won the Democratic primary on Aug. 4 with about 52% of the vote over runner-up Adam Murphy.
What They Stand For
Powers has proposed making healthcare accessible and affordable, according to her campaign website. She has also pledged her support for women's reproductive healthcare, including abortion rights and economic development rooted in local communities. On the Second Amendment, Powers has pledged her support for the right for citizens to bear arms, saying that she is "a different kind of Democrat." Regarding foreign policy, Powers states on her campaign website that she does not take "orders from AIPAC or any other lobby," and that she does not "think American families should keep paying for what Benjamin Netanyahu's government is doing."
On immigration, Griffith previously voted in favor of the "Secure the Border Act," which forced the former Biden Administration to resume construction on the southern border wall. On his official House website, Griffith notes the need for increased border security, due to the danger which human trafficking and sexual assault pose to undocumented immigrants. On the Second Amendment, Griffith has supported legislation to "strengthen federal protections for law abiding Americans traveling with firearms." Griffith serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, as well as the Committee on House Administration.
The Money Behind the Race
Griffith raised about $1.8 million through July 15 and had about $974,000 in cash on hand, according to Federal Election Commission (FEC) filings. Powers trailed behind, having raised about $85,000 through July 15 with about $14,000 in the bank.
Outside spending in the race totaled just $440 as of Oct. 13, all of it supporting Griffith, with the Freedom Caucus Fund as the sole spender.
Race Outlook: Ratings and Betting Markets
The Cook Political Report rated the race Solid Republican as of Oct. 9, Sabato rated it Solid Republican as of Oct. 11, and Inside Elections rated it Solid Republican as of Oct. 2.
On Kalshi, traders gave Republicans a 97.79% chance of winning as of Oct. 13.
Griffith carried the district with about 73% in 2022 and about 72% in 2024. Statewide, Democrats won six of Virginia's 11 U.S. House seats in both 2022 and 2024, while in the 2024 presidential race, Kamala Harris carried Virginia with about 52% of the vote.
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