In a tight renomination battle in Virginia’s primary election, Rep. Bob Good, a conservative congressman seeking a third term, faced a strong challenge from state Sen. John McGuire, who was endorsed by former President Donald Trump. With ballots still being counted, McGuire led by a narrow margin, making the race too close to call as Virginia observed the Juneteenth holiday. Good had previously endorsed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for president, earning the ire of Trump, but later switched back to Trump. Trump endorsed McGuire, portraying Good as a backstabber, and continued to campaign for McGuire.
Meanwhile, Democrats in northern and central Virginia also participated in primaries to nominate candidates for seats left by popular incumbents who were not seeking reelection. Eugene Vindman won the Democratic primary in House District 7 to replace U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger, who is running for governor in 2025. In House District 10, Suhas Subramanyam secured the Democratic nomination to succeed U.S. Rep. Jennifer Wexton, who is not seeking reelection due to a rare neurological illness. On the Republican side, voters nominated Derrick Anderson and Mike Clancy for these seats, respectively.
Statewide, voters selected Hung Cao as the Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate to challenge Democrat Tim Kaine in the upcoming election. In the House District 5 race, Good, who chairs the House Freedom Caucus, faced criticism for voting to oust House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and for endorsing DeSantis over Trump. McGuire, a former Navy SEAL, echoed Trump’s attacks on Good, branding him as a “never Trumper.” Good claimed victory was still possible despite McGuire leading by a small margin, stating that his campaign had implemented an effective early voting operation in the 5th District.
In the 7th Congressional District, Eugene Vindman, known for his role in Trump’s first impeachment, emerged victorious in the Democratic primary. Vindman, a former Army officer, emphasized his opposition to Trump and the “extreme MAGA agenda.” On the Republican side, voters chose Army veteran Derrick Anderson over Navy veteran Cameron Hamilton. In the 10th Congressional District, Suhas Subramanyam secured the Democratic nomination, receiving support from former House Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn and U.S. Rep. Jennifer Wexton. Republican voters nominated Mike Clancy for that seat.
In the Senate race, Navy veteran Hung Cao won the Republican primary to challenge incumbent Democrat Tim Kaine. Cao, with Trump’s endorsement, criticized Biden’s decision regarding citizenship for spouses without legal status. Cao highlighted his military service and experience, contrasting it with Kaine’s years in elected office. The primary election results in Virginia reflected a mix of conservative and progressive contenders, setting the stage for competitive races in the upcoming general election. The outcomes of these primaries will have significant implications for Virginia’s representation in Congress and the U.S. Senate.
