Virginia House of Delegates: What to Know about Primary Day

On June 17, voters across the Commonwealth are headed to the polls to cast their vote in Virginia’s primary elections. Folks across the country are keeping a close eye on this one, particularly the Governor’s race.

Among the races for governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general, the House of Delegates is also up for re-election. The primaries will set the stage for the general election in November, which will determine who’s returning to the House of Delegates for the 2026-2027 legislative session. For government affairs professionals and policy experts, these shifts present both new opportunities and challenges. Staying ahead of these changes is essential to ensure advocacy efforts are aligned with new priorities and perspectives.

At Roboro, we’re committed to helping you stay ahead of the curve by delivering actionable legislative insights to support proactive advocacy. We’ll be updating this post as official results come in later this week and covering more on the returning members and any anticipated new members as we head towards November.

Members Not Seeking Re-Election (4)

Four (4) current Delegates have announced that they will not return for the next session, creating open-seat contests that could reshape partisan balance and committee leadership. Here’s a look at who’s stepping down and who might take their place.

• Jed Arnold (R-46)

  • District 46: Grayson County, Smyth County, Wythe County, and a portion of Pulaski County

  • Jed Arnold, first elected in a special election in August 2023, announced that he will not be seeking re-election this term. The Democratic primary was cancelled, with Jamie Ralston Hendry set to appear on the ballot in November. The Republican primary is between Mitchell Cornett and Adam Tolbert.

• Danny Marshall III (R-49) 

  • District 49: Counties of Halifax (part) and Pittsylvania (part); City of Danville

  • Danny Marshall, a member of the House of Delegates since 2002, announced that he will not be seeking re-election this term. The Democratic primary is between Jasmin Lipscomb and Gary Miller, and the Republican primary is between Madison Redd Whittle and Vanessa Reynolds Scearce.

• Nick Freitas (R-62)

  • District 62: Counties of Culpeper (part), Greene, Madison, and Orange (part)

  • Nick Freitas, a member of the House of Delegates since 2016, announced that he will not be seeking re-election this term. The Democratic primary was cancelled, with Sara Ratliffe set to appear on the ballot in November. The Republican primary is between Karen Hamilton and Clay Jackson.

• Baxter Ennis (R-89)

  • District 89: Cities of Chesapeake (part) and Suffolk (part)

  • Baxter Ennis, a member of the House of Delegates since 2024, announced that he will not be seeking re-election this term. The Democratic primary is between Blaizen Buckshot Bloom and Karen “Kacey” Carnegie, and the Republican primary is between Mike Lamonea and Kristen Shannon.

Running Unopposed in Primaries and in November 2025 Election (25)

These members are expected to return this November. We are watching closely and will keep this list updated.

• Adele Y. McClure (D-2)

• Alfonso H. Lopez (D-3)

• Charniele L. Herring (D-4)

• Elizabeth B. Bennett-Parker (D-5)

• Karrie K. Delaney (D-9)

• Dan Helmer (D-10)

• Holly M. Seibold (D-12)

• Vivian E. Watts (D-14) 

• Mark D. Sickles (D-17)

• Rozia A. Henson Jr. (D-19)

• Michelle Lopes Maldonado (D-20)

• Luke E. Torian (D-24)

• Briana D. Sewell (D-25)

• David A. Reid (D-28)

• Katrina E. Callsen (D-54)

• Amy J. Laufer (D-55)

• Betsy B. Carr (D-78)

• Rae C. Cousins (D-79)

• Destiny L. LeVere Bolling (D-80)

• Marcia S. (Cia) Price (D-85)

• Don Scott (D-88)

• C. E. (Cliff) Hayes Jr. (D-91)

• Bonita G. Anthony (D-92)

• Jackie Hope Glass (D-93)

• Alex Q. Askew (D-95)