(The Center Square) – Virginia’s congressional primary races Aug. 4 are beginning to take shape.
The unusual August primary comes after the Virginia Supreme Court earlier this year struck down the state’s congressional redistricting referendum, leaving current district lines in place for the 2026 midterms.
The Democratic Party of Virginia said it submitted candidate certification forms to the Virginia Department of Elections for the upcoming congressional primaries, while the Republican Party of Virginia released its certified candidate list.
Five Democratic congressional districts and three Republican districts are expected to feature contested primaries.
The largest Democratic field is in Virginia’s 1st Congressional District, where seven candidates qualified for the ballot.
Former Rep. Elaine Luria is among four Democrats running in the 2nd District primary, while former Rep. Tom Perriello is part of a three-way Democratic primary in the 5th District.
Northern Virginia’s 8th Congressional District is also expected to draw attention, with longtime Rep. Don Beyer facing four Democratic challengers.
On the Republican side, the 5th District primary will feature Rep. John McGuire and Melanie Lucero.
Three Republicans qualified in the 7th District primary, while four Republicans qualified in the open 10th District race.
Several incumbents in both parties avoided primary opposition, including Democratic Reps. Bobby Scott and Eugene Vindman and Republican Reps. Rob Wittman, Jen Kiggans, Ben Cline and Morgan Griffith.
The Republican Party of Virginia’s release listed the 4th Congressional District candidate as “TBD by August 4.” Incumbent Democratic Rep. Jennifer McClellan is running unopposed in the primary.
Under Virginia law, candidates without opposition automatically become their party’s nominee for the general election.
Winners of the Aug. 4 primaries will advance to the November general election.
