Shannon Taylor (D) defeated Salaam Bhatti (D), Jason Knapp (D), and four other candidates in the Democratic primary for Virginia's 1st Congressional District on August 4, 2026. Taylor, Bhatti, and Knapp led in endorsements and fundraising.
Taylor 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.
Taylor was elected Henrico County Commonwealth's Attorney in 2011. She ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic nomination for Virginia Attorney General in 2025. She earlier worked as a prosecutor in Richmond. Taylor completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. In her survey response, Taylor said, "As Henrico's top prosecutor I have tried thousands of cases and put violent criminals, drug traffickers, and abusers behind bars. ... Now, I am running for Congress to prosecute the case against corrupt career politician Rob Wittman -- and make Congress serve the people first." Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) and U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) endorsed Taylor.
