Irene Shin Running In 11th District Congressional Race: Candidate Questionnaire

FAIRFAX, VA — Irene Shin, who represents the Herndon area in the Virginia House of Delegates, believes that our political system is fundamentally broken and that “business as usual” is what allowed a convicted felon to be elected president — again.

"At a time when our federal government is being dismantled agency by agency, and when each passing day brings our democracy closer to an authoritarian regime, business as usual will not suffice," she said.

Shin is one of nine Democrats running to succeed former U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-11th), who died of esophageal cancer on May 21. A special election has been scheduled for Sept. 9 to fill the vacant seat in Congress.

As part of its coverage of the June 28 unassembled caucus, also called a "firehouse primary," hosted by the the 11th Congressional District Democratic Committee, Patch invited each of the nine candidates on the ballot to fill out a questionnaire to describe why they think they're the best person to fill the job they're running for. The following are Shin's responses.

What is your name?

Irene Shin

What will be your age on election day?

37

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

Member; Virginia House of Delegates (HD-08)

What is the single issue that defines your candidacy?

Generational change. I believe that our political system is fundamentally broken and that “business as usual” is what allowed a 34x convicted felon to be elected president — again. At a time when our federal government is being dismantled agency by agency, and when each passing day brings our democracy closer to an authoritarian regime, business as usual will not suffice. I’m running for Congress because this moment calls for a new generation of leaders who understand the urgency of the moment when federal workers are being fired, ICE is tearing families apart in our neighborhoods, and our very democracy is being threatened by a president who believes himself to be above the law. Our community deserves a representative who will meet this moment with the level of urgency it demands and a fresh perspective that reflects the values of the district.

What makes you the best candidate to represent the Democratic Party in the Sept. 9 special election?

I’m the best candidate to represent the 11th district for a few reasons. To start, I bring with me the actual lived experiences of our community. I’m the kid of immigrants who came to this country in pursuit of the promise of America, where their kids would have the opportunity for a better life than what they left behind. I know the sacrifices my family had to make for my brother and me, and what that ultimately cost for them. Second, I have 4 years of experience as a legislator in the General Assembly and a proven track record of delivering results. In Richmond, I delivered results for our community by fighting industry lobbyists to expand healthcare access, defending a woman’s right to abortion and ensuring clean affordable energy for our homes. Third, I’m the only candidate offering a different kind of vision for our collective future. Fighting Trump is the bare minimum to be the Democratic nominee right now; and at a moment where so much is broken, I am the only candidate offering a bold, progressive vision for how we can rebuild what Trump has ripped apart.

What impact has the Trump administration's second term had on the 11th District so far and how would you advocate for your constituents while in the minority?

The Trump Administration’s second term has had a monumentally horrific impact on our community. Whether it’s the thousands of federal employees and fed-adjacent workers whose livelihoods have been DOGE’d, or the illegal state-sponsored kidnapping of undocumented immigrants in our neighborhoods, the Trump Administration’s actions have had, and will continue to have, far-reaching consequences. It seems that Democratic leaders in Congress have forgotten what it means to play the role of the opposition party – the opposition party needs to fight back, not roll over. As a member of the minority party, we must be willing to get creative and use EVERY tool at our disposal to be the opposition. That means that we need to wage a real defense of our communities and prevent Republicans from manipulating the regular order of House rules and norms to ram through an agenda that jeopardizes our local community and economy, like slashing Medicaid, SNAP, and Social Security. In Congress, I will oppose them by any means necessary, and I won’t be hamstrung by the political norms that only one party is willing to honor.

What To Know About Democratic Party Caucus

On June 28, the 11th Congressional District Democratic Committee is hosting an unassembled caucus to determine which of the nine candidates in the race will represent the party on the special election ballot: Joshua Aisen, Planning Commissioner Candice Bennett (D-At-Large), Dan Lee, Leo Martínez, Amy Papanu, State Sen. Stella Pekarsky (D-Centreville), Amy Roma, Del. Irene Shin (D-Herndon) , or Supervisor James Walkinshaw (D-Braddock).

All registered voters in the 11th Congressional District may cast a ballot on Saturday, June 28, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., at 17 voting locations. Early voting will take place 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. on June 24, 25 and 26 at the Fairfax County Government Center.

The caucus winner will represent the Democratic Party in the Sept. 9 special election to fill the vacant seat in Virginia's 11th Congressional District.

The 11th Congressional District of the Republican Party of Virginia will be hosting a District Canvass on Saturday, June 28 to choose its special election candidate.

The 11th Congressional District seat has been vacant since incumbent U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-11th) died of esophageal cancer on May 21.

Related:

• Walkinshaw Runs In 11th Congressional District Race In Democratic Caucus
• Martínez On Democratic Caucus Ballot For 11th District Congressional Seat
• Democrats, GOP To Choose Candidates For 11th Congressional District Special Election
• 11th District Voters Will Cast Ballots In Special Election To Fill Congressional Seat
• Choosing Connolly's Successor In Congress: What To Know
• VA Congressman To Retire As Cancer Returns Following Treatment