Denver Supinger Running In 11th District Delegate Race: Democratic Primary

FAIRFAX, VA — The single most pressing issue facing the 11th District is affordability, according to Denver Supinger, one of the five candidates seeking to be the Democratic Party's candidate in the Jan. 13, 2026 special election.

"It impacts everything: housing, utilities, childcare and education costs, transportation, and whether working families can stay in the community they’ve built," she said. "Too many residents are one rent increase, one medical bill, or one unexpected car repair away from crisis. Seniors are being priced out. Young families can’t put down roots. And essential workers face longer commutes because they can’t afford to live near their jobs."

Supinger is facing Douglas Shuster, So Lim, Vanessa Cárdenas, and Gretchen Bulova in Tuesday's firehouse primary, hoping to be their party's candidate on the Jan. 13 ballot in the 11th District delegate race. Scroll down to view the other candidates' responses.

How To Vote: 11th District Democrats Host Primary In House Of Delegates Race

The 11th District seat became vacant when David Bulova stepped down to become Governor-Elect Abigail Spanberger's nominee as the next Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources.

Patch reached out to all five candidates running in Tuesday's primary, asking them to answer a few questions to help voters learn more about them. The following are Supinger's responses to Patch's candidate questionnaire.

What is your name?

Denver Supinger

What will be your age on election day?

32

What is your occupation and the number of years you've worked in the field?

Policy Professional, 10 years

What is the single issue that defines your candidacy? (200 Word Limit)

Prosperity is the single issue that defines my candidacy because District 11 deserves growth that people can feel in their daily lives, not just in headlines or economic reports.

For me, prosperity is about building a community where opportunity is real and reachable. It means growing an economy that creates good-paying jobs, supports entrepreneurs, and helps small businesses open, expand, and hire locally. It means making Virginia the best place not just to do business, but to build a life.

In Richmond, I will focus on policies that strengthen household financial security and long-term opportunity. That includes protecting workers from wage theft and misclassification, expanding paid family and medical leave, and supporting fair scheduling so people can plan their lives. It includes investing in innovation and emerging industries while ensuring public dollars go toward projects that create strong local jobs. And it includes cutting red tape for small businesses, improving access to capital for women- and minority-owned businesses, and partnering with local governments to revitalize commercial corridors.

Prosperity should be shared, not siloed. My candidacy is about making sure District 11 is a place where hard work is rewarded, small businesses thrive, and every resident has a real shot at

What makes you the best candidate to represent the Democratic Party in the Jan. 13 special election? (200 Word Limit)

I, Denver Supinger am the best candidate to represent the Democratic Party in the January 13 special election because I bring both lived experience and a proven record of delivering results that reflect our values.

I was raised in Virginia by a single mother who struggled with addiction. I know what it means to rely on community support and public programs to survive, and that experience is why I have dedicated my career to protecting people who are too often ignored.

Professionally, I have worked in local and state government and in advocacy, turning urgent community needs into real policy. I have partnered with law enforcement and minority communities to fight hate and keep people safe while building trust and accountability. In the Virginia General Assembly, I helped pass legislation to combat human trafficking and worked to secure justice and stronger protections for survivors of domestic and sexual violence. I have also advanced transportation access and community priorities, and led government relations work to protect health care and expand services for people with serious injuries and disabilities.

District 11 needs a delegate who understands the policy and political landscape, knows how to hit the ground running on day one, and

The single most pressing issue facing the 11th District is and this is what I intend to do about it? (200 Word Limit)

The single most pressing issue facing the 11th District is affordability, because it impacts everything: housing, utilities, childcare and education costs, transportation, and whether working families can stay in the community they’ve built.

Too many residents are one rent increase, one medical bill, or one unexpected car repair away from crisis. Seniors are being priced out. Young families can’t put down roots. And essential workers face longer commutes because they can’t afford to live near their jobs.

Here’s what I intend to do about it: I will fight for a comprehensive affordability agenda that delivers real relief. That means expanding and preserving attainable housing, strengthening tenant protections, and supporting first-time homeownership pathways. It means keeping utility costs predictable and pushing for targeted relief for low- and middle-income households. It means investing in public schools, mental health supports, and childcare solutions that reduce family costs while improving outcomes. And it means improving mobility, inlcuding reliable transit, safer roads, and smarter planning, so people can access jobs without wasting time and money.

Affordability is the foundation of opportunity. I will bring a results-driven, community-first approach to Richmond to make District 11 livable for everyone.

Also See ...

Gretchen Bulova Running In 11th District Delegate Race: Democratic Primary
Vanessa Cárdenas Running In 11th District Delegate Race: Democratic Primary
So Lim Running In 11th District Delegate Race: Democratic Primary
Douglas Shuster Running In 11th District Delegate Race: Democratic Primary