Who's In the Race

Rep. Rob Wittman (R-VA) faces Democrat Shannon Taylor in the Nov. 3 general election in Virginia's 1st Congressional District. A new congressional map approved in an April referendum was blocked by the Virginia Supreme Court and did not take effect for the 2026 elections. ​

Wittman has represented the district since 2007 and, before Congress, worked more than 26 years at the Virginia Department of Health. He ran unopposed in the Republican primary.

Taylor has served as Henrico County's Commonwealth's Attorney since 2012, and her career includes work as a prosecutor in Richmond and as a special assistant in the U.S. Attorney's office. She won the Democratic primary over runner-up Salaam Bhatti, who received about 20 percent of the vote.

What They Stand For

Wittman has supported a health care system that protects people with pre-existing conditions and gives individuals more control over their care, according to his official House website. He's also supported:

  • Reforms to pharmacy benefit managers aimed at greater transparency and protecting pharmacy access,
  • Jobs and economic growth for the district,
  • Fiscal accountability; and
  • Security at home and abroad.

Taylor has proposed restoring the Affordable Care Act and making health care more affordable and accessible, particularly in rural areas, according to her campaign website. She's also proposed:

  • Barring members of Congress from trading stocks or becoming lobbyists,
  • Investing in energy, infrastructure and good-paying jobs to strengthen Virginia's economy; and
  • Addressing the cost of utilities, housing and groceries.

The Money Behind the Race

Federal Election Commission filings show Wittman raised about $4.1 million and had about $4.3 million in the bank through July 15. Taylor raised about $2.1 million and had about $1 million in the bank through the same date, according to FEC filings.

Outside groups had spent about $880,000 in the race as of Oct. 13, with the bulk of it working against Wittman. The LCV Victory Fund, an environmental group, was the largest spender, putting about $828,000 toward opposing Wittman, while outside groups spent about $52,000 supporting Taylor.

Race Outlook: Ratings and Betting Markets

The Cook Political Report rated the race a Toss-up as of Oct. 9. Sabato's Crystal Ball also rated it a Toss-up as of Oct. 11. Inside Elections rated it Lean Republican as of Oct. 2.

On Kalshi, traders gave Democrats, whose nominee is Taylor, a 53.47 percent chance of winning the seat as of Oct. 13, with Republicans, whose nominee is Wittman, at 46.53 percent.

Wittman carried the district with about 56 percent of the vote in both 2022 and 2024. Statewide, Democrats won six of Virginia's 11 U.S. House seats in both 2022 and 2024, with Republicans winning the other five. In the 2024 presidential race, Democrat Kamala Harris carried Virginia with about 52 percent of the vote.

Virginia voters must register by Friday, Oct. 23; online registrations must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. that day, and mail applications must be postmarked by then. Same-day registration is available from Saturday, Oct. 24 through Election Day during early in-person voting.

Early voting runs from Friday, Sept. 18 through Saturday, Oct. 31, with hours and locations varying by locality. Mail ballot applications must reach the local registrar by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 23. On Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, polls are open from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

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