Virginia will be a battleground for incumbents in the 2024 congressional primaries, with the spotlight on the U.S. House races. Republican voters will have the opportunity to replace House Freedom Caucus chair Bob Good in the 5th Congressional District, as he faces a primary challenge from state Sen. John McGuire. Good, who endorsed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in the Presidential primaries, is facing pressure from both sides, with former President Donald Trump endorsing his opponent. If Good loses, he would be the first House incumbent to go down to a primary challenge this year, showcasing the challenge of staying on Trump’s good side for the most ideologically strident members of Congress.
In the 7th Congressional District, Democrats will be selecting a nominee to replace Rep. Abigail Spanberger, who is running for governor in 2025. Eugene Vindman, a former ethics lawyer at the National Security Council, has garnered significant support from Democratic activists due to his involvement in reporting a 2019 call between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that led to Trump’s first impeachment. On the Republican side, the primary has pitted House Freedom Caucus members against members of House leadership, with a focus on Navy veteran Cameron Hamilton and Army veteran Derrick Anderson.
In the 10th District, Democrats are vying for the opportunity to succeed Rep. Jennifer Wexton, who is not seeking reelection due to a brain disease diagnosis. A dozen Democrats are running to replace her, with Navy veteran Missy Cotter Smasal leading in fundraising and endorsements from prominent figures like former Govs. Ralph Northam and Terry McAuliffe. In the U.S. Senate race, Trump has endorsed Navy veteran Hung Cao for the Republican nomination, facing competition from Scott Parkinson, Jonathan Emord, Eddie Garcia, and Chuck Smith.
The primary will take place on Tuesday, with polls closing at 7 p.m. ET. Virginia’s open primary system allows any registered voter to participate in one party’s primary. Decision notes highlight key factors in each district, such as Good’s base of support in the central and western parts of the 5th District and the Democratic field in the 7th District, which includes multiple current and former elected officials. Turnout and advance voting statistics are also provided, with a focus on the importance of voter participation in shaping the outcomes of these closely contested races.
As the primary results unfold, the Associated Press will provide coverage for 10 contested races, including six Democratic primaries for the U.S. House, three Republican primaries for the House, and a Republican primary for the U.S. Senate. With the intricacies of each district’s dynamics, including candidate backgrounds, fundraising, and endorsements, the race is expected to be unpredictable until the results are finalized. The AP will continue to cover any developments, such as concessions or declarations of victory, ensuring transparency in the reporting process.
