New Members of the Virginia House of Delegates for 2026-2027: Profiles and Insights
2025-11-09
By Mike Phelps
Note: The new Members below are based on the Virginia Department of Elections – Unofficial Results. We will continue to update the profiles as election results become official.
As Virginia heads into a new legislative session, there are membership changes in the House of Delegates that will shape the Commonwealth’s 2026-2027 landscape. Staying ahead of these changes is critical for shaping effective advocacy strategies in the months ahead.
Below are profiles of the new faces at the House of Delegates, introducing you to the 17 new members to help you establish relationships early as you strategize for the upcoming 2026-2027 session.
Virginia House of Delegates: New Members (17)
There will be at least 17 new members to the Virginia House of Delegates, pending any recounts.
Elizabeth R. Guzmán (D) – District 22, County of Prince William (part)
Elizabeth R. Guzmán defeated incumbent Ian T. Lovejoy (R) in the general election for District 22, representing the County of Prince William (part). Guzmán is not new to the House of Delegates, having served as a member representing District 31 from 2018-2024. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Capella University, her Master of Public Administration from American University, and her Master of Social Work from University of Southern California. Guzmán has spent her career in local government and human services. During her time in the House of Delegates, she served on the following committees:
- Commerce and Energy
- Health, Welfare and Institutions Committee
- Education Committee
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John Chilton McAuliff (D) – District 30, Counties of Fauquier (part) and Loudoun (part)
John Chilton McAuliff defeated incumbent Geary M. Higgins (R) in the general election for District 30, representing the Counties of Fauquier (part) and Loudoun (part). McAuliff served as Chief of Staff to Del. David Reid in the VA House of Delegates, worked with the USDA’s Rural Development team, and worked with the Biden Administration’s Office of Clean Energy Innovation and Implementation. His policy goals and interests include:
- Helping first-time homebuyers
- Farmland preservation
- Funding mental healthcare programs
- Building clean, sustainable energy
- Reducing the cost of education
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Justin L. Pence (R) – District 33, Page, Counties of Page, Rockingham (part), Shenandoah, and Warren (part)
Justin Pence ran against Catherine E. “Cathy” Rec (D) in the general election for District 33, representing the Counties of Page, Rockingham (part), Shenandoah, and Warren (part). Incumbent C. Todd Gilbert (R) withdrew from the election to serve as an interim U.S. attorney. Pence earned his bachelor’s degree from Virginia Tech. He has worked in the farming industry and served as Founding Partner and COO of BluePoint. His policy goals and interests include:
- Protecting farmland
- Cutting regulations
- Safe & quality education
- Reliable & affordable energy
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Lily V. Franklin (D) – District 41, Counties of Montgomery (part) and Roanoke (part)
Lily V. Franklin defeated incumbent J. Christian “Chris” Obenshain (R) in the general election for District 41, representing the Counties of Montgomery (part) and Roanoke (part). Franklin grew up in southwestern Virginia and earned her bachelor’s degree from Longwood University. She has worked as an educator and as Chief of Staff to Virginia Delegate Sam Rasoul (D). Her policy goals and interests include:
- Affordable home ownership
- Economic growth in southwest Virginia
- Education
- Clean drinking water
- Reproductive freedom
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Mitchell D. Cornett (R) – District 46, Counties of Grayson, Pulaski (part), Smyth, and Wythe
Mitchell D. Cornett ran against Jamie R. Hendry (D) in the general election for District 46, representing the Counties of Grayson, Pulaski (part), Smyth, and Wythe. Incumbent Jonathan “Jed” E. Arnold (R) did not seek reelection. Cornett is a small business owner, volunteer firefighter, and 5th generation cattle farmer. His policy goals and interests include:
- Champion life
- Defend gun rights
- Economic development
- Fight APCO’s rate hikes
Madison John R. Whittle (R) – District 49, Counties of Halifax (part) and Pittsylvania (part); City of Danville
Madison John R. Whittle ran against Gary P. Miller (D) in the general election for District 49, representing the Counties of Halifax (part) and Pittsylvania (part) and the City of Danville. Incumbent Daniel “Danny” W. Marshall III (R) did not seek reelection. Whittle is a native of Danville and is a local real estate developer and small business owner. His policy goals and interests include:
- Economic growth
- Second amendment
- Pro-life
- Supporting law enforcement
- Cost of living
May Nivar (D) – District 57, Counties of Goochland (part) and Henrico (part)
May Nivar defeated incumbent David L. Owen (R) in the general election for District 57, representing the Counties of Goochland (part) and Henrico (part). Nivar earned her bachelor’s degree from New York University, and has experience in small and large businesses, nonprofits, and government. Her policy goals and interests include:
- Invest in good paying jobs and the economy
- Fully fund public schools
- Protect access to abortion and contraception
- Expand access to affordable quality healthcare and prescription drugs
- Combat climate change and preserve the environment
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Karen F. Hamilton (R) – District 62, Counties of Culpeper (part), Greene, Madison, and Orange (part)
Karen F. Hamilton ran against Sara H. Ratcliffe (D) in the general election for District 62, representing the Counties of Culpeper (part), Greene, Madison, and Orange (part). Incumbent Nicholas “Nick” J. Freitas (R) did not seek reelection. Hamilton earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and is a small business owner. Her policy goals and interests include:
- The right to life
- Law and order
- Economic and agricultural freedom
- Right to self defense
- Preserving historical and green spaces
Stacey A. Carroll (D) – District 64, County of Stafford (part)
Stacey A. Carroll defeated incumbent Paul V. Milde III (R) in the general election for District 64, representing the County of Stafford (part). Carroll enlisted in the US Army Reserve in 2005 and currently serves in the West Virginia National Guard. She is also a CPA. Her policy goals and interests include:
- Creating jobs and strengthening economy
- Funding education and workforce opportunities
- Expanding healthcare access and affordability
- Fighting for military community
Nicole Tarlton Cole (D) – District 66, Counties of Caroline (part) and Spotsylvania (part)
Nicole Tarlton Cole defeated incumbent Robert D. “Bobby” Orrock, Sr. (R) in the general election for District 66, representing the Counties of Caroline (part) and Spotsylvania (part). Cole earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland College Park and her M.B.A. from Northwestern University. She is a small business owner and nonprofit leader. Her policy goals and interests include:
- Increased access to healthcare
- Education
- Economic prosperity
- Environment
Mark C. Downey (D) - District 69, Counties of Gloucester (part), James City (part), and York (part); City of Newport News (part)
Mark C. Downey defeated incumbent W. Chad Green (R) in the general election for District 69, representing the Counties of Gloucester (part), James City (part), and York (part) and the City of Newport News (part). Downey earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia and his M.D. from Virginia Commonwealth University. He is a lifelong pediatrician in the James City and York County communities. His policy goals and interests include:
- Cost of living
- Affordable healthcare
- Community safety
- Education
- Reproductive freedom
Jessica L. Anderson (D) – District 71, Counties of James City (part) and New Kent (part); City of Williamsburg
Jessica L. Anderson defeated incumbent Amanda E. Batten (R) in the general election for District 71, representing the Counties of James City (part) and New Kent (part) and the City of Williamsburg. Anderson earned her associate’s degree from Thomas Nelson Community College. She is a lifelong Virginian and has lived in the 71st district for the past 25 years. Her policy goals and interests include:
- Family care
- Public education
- Healthcare
- Aging in place
- Affordable housing
Leslie C. Mehta (D) – District 73, County of Chesterfield (part)
Leslie C. Mehta defeated incumbent Mark L. Earley, Jr. (R) in the general election for District 73, representing the County of Chesterfield (part). Mehta is the former Legal Director of the ACLU of Virginia and is interim CEO of the International Rett Syndrome Foundation. Her policy goals and interests include:
- An economy that rewards hard work and creates opportunity
- Protecting affordable healthcare & supporting families
- Investing in education
Lindsey M. Dougherty (D) – District 75, Counties of Chesterfield (part) and Prince George (part); City of Hopewell
Lindsey M. Dougherty defeated incumbent Carrie Emerson Coyner (R) in the general election for District 75, representing the Counties of Chesterfield (part) and Prince George (part) and the City of Hopewell. Dougherty earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee and her Master of Public Administration from North Carolina State University. Her policy goals and interests include:
- Education
- Jobs
- Health
- Civic engagement and civil rights
Kimberly Pope Adams (D) – District 82, Counties of Dinwiddie (part), Prince George (part), and Surry; City of Petersburg
Kimberly Pope Adams defeated incumbent Kim A. Taylor (R) in the general election for District 82, representing the Counties of Dinwiddie (part), Prince George (part), and Surry and the City of Petersburg. Adams earned her bachelor’s degree from Virginia Tech. She is an accountant and an auditor. Her policy goals and interests include:
- Safe communities
- Reproductive rights
- Transparency and good governance
- Food insecurity and food deserts
- Rural broadband
Virgil G. Thornton, Sr. (D) – District 86, County of York (part); Cities of Hampton (part) and Poquoson
Virgil G. Thornton, Sr. defeated incumbent A. C. Cordoza (R) in the general election for District 86, representing the County of York (part) and the Cities of Hampton (part) and Poquoson. Thornton currently works as an executive coach. His policy goals and interests include:
- Strengthening public education
- Access to quality healthcare
- Economic development
- Housing & infrastructure
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Karen Robins “Kacey” Carnegie (D) – District 89, Cities of Chesapeake (part) and Suffolk (part)
Karen Robins “Kacey” Carnegie ran against Michael K. “Mike” Lamonea (R) in the general election for District 89, representing the Cities of Chesapeake (part) and Suffolk (part). Incumbent N. Baxter Ennis (R) did not seek reelection. Carnegie graduated from West Virginia University and is an attorney. Her policy goals and interests include:
- Building a community-first economy
- Ensuring safer communities
- Investing in education for every child
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