House Democrats in Washington lined up behind favorite candidates in two key Virginia House races. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) signaled support for Elaine Luria’s comeback bid against Republican U.S. Rep. Jen Kiggans, and supported Shannon Taylor’s campaign to unseat GOP U.S. Rep. Rob Wittman.
The DCCC named both Luria and Taylor among a first round of candidates in this year’s Red to Blue program. That means the House Democrats’ political arm will offer strategic guidance, staff resources, training and fundraising support to position candidates to win in the November Midterms.
“House Democrats are on offense and poised to take back the majority, thanks in large part to the strength of our candidates,” said DCCC Chair Suzan DelBene.
“The candidates named to this first round of our Red to Blue program are united by their desire to fight for hardworking families in their districts — not the billionaires bankrolling Republicans’ corrupt and divisive machine.”
Luria, a former Congresswoman, announced in November that she would challenge Kiggans, who unseated her in 2022. Running in Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District, Luria quickly amassed nearly $1.3 million before the close of 2025.
Seven other Democrats filed to challenge Kiggans this year, but James Osyf, the only other candidate to raise more than $400,000, suspended his campaign shortly after Luria announced. Michael Williamson, who raised about $325,000, also dropped out and endorsed Luria.
The DCCC made clear in its release it sees Luria in position to take back her seat.
“Elaine Luria knows what service looks like. At only 17 years old, Elaine wanted to be a part of something bigger than herself so she joined the Navy, where she served for 20 years as a Surface Warfare Officer and nuclear engineer. Before retiring as a Commander, Elaine deployed six times to the Middle East and Western Pacific serving on destroyers, carriers, and ultimately as the Commanding Officer of a combat-ready unit of 400 sailors,” a release states.
“Elaine continued her service in Congress representing Coastal Virginia for four years, where she passed legislation to provide three cost-of-living increases for our veterans, lower health care and prescription drug costs, and led the most significant expansion of veterans’ health care in our lifetime — the PACT Act. Now, Elaine is answering the call to serve once again because Jen Kiggans has repeatedly broken her promises to Virginians and put her party bosses over the veterans and hardworking families she swore she would protect.”
The DCCC also sees strong momentum for Taylor, the Henrico prosecutor who launched her campaign in September to unseat Wittman in Virginia’s 1st Congressional District.
She, having raised more than $766,000 in 2025, is the top fundraiser among 14 Democrats who have filed for the seat. Lisa Khanna, the next closest fundraiser, dropped out of the race in January.
“As Henrico’s top prosecutor, Shannon Taylor has made it her mission to protect and defend Virginia families. With a 90% conviction rate in homicide cases, Shannon has a record of holding accountable anyone who tries to harm her community. A native of Charlottesville and graduate of the University of Virginia and the University of Richmond Law School, she began her career as a prosecutor in Richmond before serving as a Special Assistant in the U.S. Attorney’s office,” the DCCC release states.
“In 2011, she flipped the Henrico Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office from Republican to Democrat, becoming the first woman elected to the role and the first Democrat in nearly 40 years. She has since been reelected three times, proving she knows how to win tough races. Now Shannon is continuing her mission to defend Virginians, this time taking on nearly 20-year incumbent Rob Wittman who has exploded his personal net worth while in office and left hardworking Virginians behind.”
The announcement comes as Virginia voters prepare to vote in a Special Election on enacting a congressional map drawn by Democratic majorities in the state assembly.
Should races proceed under current lines, a Democratic Primary will be held June 16.
