Open 7th District Congressional Seat Draws 13 Candidates To Primary

FREDERICKSBURG, VA — Voters in the 7th Congressional District will be heading to the polls on Tuesday to vote in a dual primary election, with two separate ballots for Democratic and Republican candidates.

The 7th District encompasses all or part of the City of Fredericksburg and Prince William, Stafford, Spotsylvania, Culpeper, Orange, Caroline, King George, Greene, Madison, and Albermarle counties.

On Nov. 13, 2023, U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D), the incumbent in the 7th district, announced that she would be running for Virginia governor in 2025 and would not seek re-election in 2024, according to the Associated Press.

“Our country and our Commonwealth are facing fundamental threats to our rights, our freedoms, and to our democracy,” said Spanberger, who won’t face a term-limited GOP Gov. Glenn Youngkin. “While some politicians in Richmond focus on banning abortion and books, what they’re not doing is helping people.”

With the incumbent not seeking re-election a total of 13 candidates, both Democratic and Republican, are vying to fill Spanberger's soon-to-be-vacant congressional seat on Tuesday.

7th District - Republican Candidates

• Derrick Anderson
• Cameron Hamilton
• Maria Martin
• Jon Myers
• John Prabhudoss
• Terris Todd

Three other potential Republican candidates — Craig Ennis, Bill Moher and Jeff Sacks — failed to qualify for the ballot.

7th District - Democratic Candidates

• Andrea Bailey
• Carl Bedell
• Margaret Angela Franklin
• Elizabeth Guzman
• Clifford Heinzer
• Briana Sewell
• Eugene Vindman

There is also a Republican primary for U.S. Senate to determine a candidate who will challenge Sen. Tim Kaine (D) in November.

The Republican primary for U.S. Senate includes candidates Hung Cao, Eddie Garcia, Jonathan Emord, Chuck Smith and Scott Parkinson.

How To Vote

Early voting ends on Saturday, Sept. 15 for candidates running in the 7th Dual Primary Election.

The deadline for registered voters to request a mail-in ballot from the Virginia Department of Elections citizens portal was June 7. Mail Ballots returned by mail must be postmarked on or before June 18, 2024 and received by 12 p.m., June 21, 2024.

The easiest way to register to vote or check your registration status is visiting the Virginia Department of Elections citizens portal. Same-day registration is available to let voters cast a provisional ballot at any precinct in the 7th district for the June 18, 2024 for the Democratic and Republican primaries.

Voters who will be 18 by the next general election on Nov. 5, 2024 can register to vote in the primary.

If you're voting on Election Day, visit your assigned polling place during voting hours from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Check your polling place using the Virginia Department of Elections citizens portal.

An acceptable form of ID is required to vote in person.