VA-01: Virginia's 1st Congressional District Democratic primary draws seven candidates

Salaam Bhatti (D), Jason Knapp (D), Shannon Taylor (D), and four other candidates are running in the Democratic primary for Virginia's 1st Congressional District on August 4, 2026. As of June 2026, Bhatti, Knapp, and Taylor led in endorsements and fundraising.

The winner will face incumbent Rob Wittman (R) in the general election. The Virginia Mercury's Shannon Heckt said, "Voters in the area have historically favored Republicans, with 51.6% choosing Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election and 57.8% voting for Glenn Youngkin in 2021, helping send the GOP newcomer to the governor’s mansion. That tide shifted in 2025, when Abigail Spanberger was elected governor with a margin of 51% in the district. Spanberger’s victory supercharged scrutiny from up-ballot Democrats, who saw it as a sign the district could be flipped in the 2026 midterm elections." The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee announced on February 23, 2026, that it would support Taylor through its Red to Blue program.

Bhatti is an attorney who worked at the Virginia Poverty Law Center. Bhatti says he is running "to get health care for all, tax the billionaires and trillionaire, and get big money out of politics. It’s time to reclaim the First for the people." In an interview with local television station WWBT, Bhatti said, "Now I see the current administration is undoing all the work that my friends and I have done across the country and it’s time to fight back." State Sen. Saddam Salim (D) and state Dels. Charlie Schmidt (D) and Sam Rasoul (D) endorsed Bhatti.

Knapp is a retired U.S. Navy fighter pilot. Knapp says he is running "because real patriotism isn’t performative. Real patriotism means making sure every family can afford groceries, health care, and a safe place to call home." At a candidate forum, Knapp said, "Let’s be clear, it is about November, and defeating Rob Wittman is the ultimate goal of this race, not August 4 ... It’s going to take somebody with the background that I have to actually win the seat." Former U.S. Del. Madeleine Bordallo (D-Guam) endorsed Knapp.




https://news.ballotpedia.org/2026/06/25/virginias-1st-congressional-district-democratic-primary-draws-seven-candidates-as-forecasters-rate-general-election-lean-republican/