5 GOP Challengers Vie To Face Kaine For US Senate In Tuesday's Primary

VIRGINIA — Many Virginians will be going to the polls on Tuesday to cast ballots for congressional or local candidates running in Virginia's Dual Party Primary, which will have separate Democratic and Republican ballots.

Incumbent U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Virginia) does not have an opponent from his party, so he will not be on Tuesday's Democratic ballot.

However, Virginians voting in the Republican primary will have five candidates to chose from: Hung Cao, Eddie Garcia, Jonathan Emord, Chuck Smith and Scott Parkinson. They are hoping to be their party's representative on November ballot and face Kaine, as well as Jonathan Hardin, is running as an independent candidate in the senate race.

All five candidates have reported contributions and expenditures to the Federal Election Committee in 2024. Virginia Public Access Project, a non-profit that tracks campaign finance in Virginia, reported the following financial overview, as of May 29, 2024, for the GOP candidates running the U.S. Senate race:

Hung Cao (R)

• Cash on Hand (7/1/2023): $57,351
• Total Contributions: $2,505,92
• Total Spending: $2,359,805
• Ending Cash Balance $202,638

Jonathan Emord (R)

• Cash on Hand (9/24/22): $0
• Total Contributions: $932,829
• Total Spending: $897,924
• Ending Cash Balance: $34,904
• Outstanding Debts: $408,100

Eddie Garcia (R)

• Cash on Hand (10/1/22): $0
• Total Contributions: $340,559
• Total Spending: $315,309
• Ending Cash Balance: $25,249
• Outstanding Debts: $80,000

Scott Parkinson (R)

• Cash on Hand (4/1/23): $0
• Total Contributions: $930,240
• Total Spending: $601,089
• Ending Cash Balance: $329,151
• Outstanding Debts: $23,999

Chuck Smith (R)

• Cash on Hand (1/1/22): $0
• Total Contributions: $556,762
• Total Spending: $536,262
• Ending Cash Balance: $20,500
• Outstanding Debts: $19,300

How To Vote

Early voting ends on Saturday, June 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 noon on 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 Virginia 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.