1st Congressional District
After a grueling redistricting battle that spanned months and cost millions, the congressional district lines Virginia adopted in 2021 remain in place as Democrat Shannon Taylor challenges longtime Republican incumbent Robb Wittman in this fall’s race to represent the state’s 1st Congressional District.
The 1st District stretches from Colonial Beach down the eastern coast of the state to Williamsburg, and hooks over the north side of Henrico County into part of Chesterfield.
Over 615,000 registered voters live in the 1st District, with the largest portions of the population in Henrico, Chesterfield, Hanover, and James City counties. The majority of voters there are white, but U.S. Census Bureau data shows diverse demographics: nearly 13% of voters are Black, almost 7% identify as multiracial and 6% are Asian. About 6% of voters are Hispanic or Latino.
Voters in the area have historically favored Republicans, with 51.6% choosing Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election and 57.8% voting for Glenn Youngkin in 2021, helping send the GOP newcomer to the governor’s mansion.
That tide shifted in 2025, when Abigail Spanberger was elected governor with a margin of 51% in the district. Spanberger’s victory supercharged scrutiny from up-ballot Democrats, who saw it as a sign the district could be flipped in the 2026 midterm elections.
The Candidates
Note: The General Election to select Virginia’s next congressional representative for the 1st District will take place Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. The Democratic primary election was Tues., Aug. 4, with Shannon Taylor securing the nomination. Taylor will face off against Republican incumbent U.S. Rep. Rob Wittman.
Shannon Taylor
Democrat
Henrico County Commonwealth’s Attorney Shannon Taylor launched her bid for Congress last fall, less than three months after losing the Democratic nomination for Virginia attorney general to Jay Jones. Taylor defeated nine Democratic candidates in the August primary contest and will face longtime Republican incumbent U.S. Rep. Rob Wittman on Nov. 3 for the chance to represent Virginia’s First Congressional District.
Rob Wittman
Republican • Incumbent
Rob Wittman, a Republican, has represented Virginia's 1st District in Congress since 2007. He's raised over $4 million so far in his campaign to keep his seat, and is facing Democrat Shannon Taylor on Nov. 3.
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