Thirteen candidates are running in the Democratic primary in Virginia’s 10th Congressional District on June 18, 2024. Four lead in endorsements, fundraising, and local media attention: Jennifer Boysko (D), Eileen Filler-Corn (D), Dan Helmer (D), and Suhas Subramanyam (D).
Incumbent Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D) is not running for re-election for health reasons, leaving the seat open. According to University of Mary Washington professor Stephen J. Farnsworth, “Virginia 10 is a more competitive district than most and, as such, it represents a rare opportunity for both parties to challenge for a pivotal House seat in a pivotal state.”
Boysko is a state senator and former community organizer who is running on her record. Boysko says her priorities are “economic policies that work for everyone and lift people up,” increasing restrictions on firearms, and limiting restrictions on abortion. Boysko says she supports expanding paid family leave after her experience giving birth to a premature daughter.
Filler-Corn is a former state legislator who served as Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates. Filler-Corn says she is running because “chaos in Washington and the extremism of MAGA Republicans is weakening America, both at home and across the world.” Filler-Corn says she has “the courage to take decisive action, even in the face of grave threats,” saying she protected her children from a carjacking and later supported a bill increasing restrictions on firearms while she was the target of an assassination plot.
Helmer is a member of the House of Delegates and U.S. Army veteran. Helmer says he is running because “the House of Representatives, and democracy itself, is on the line.” Helmer says he is “the only Virginia Democrat who has consistently eviscerated Republicans at the ballot box.” Helmer says he has a record of defending democracy in the U.S. Army and in the state legislature.
Subramanyam is a state senator and attorney. Subramanyam says he has a record of service including work with the Center on Wrongful Convictions and on the DREAM Act and Affordable Care Act as an aide in Washington. Subramanyam says his record as a legislator includes expanding access to information on prescription drug prices, adding limits on increases to utility fees, maintaining access to abortion, and limiting access to firearms.
Also running in the primary are Marion Devoe (D), Brandon Garay (D), Krystle Kaul (D), Mark Leighton (D), Michelle Maldonado (D), Travis Nembhard (D), Adrian Pokharel (D), Atif Qarni (D), and David Reid (D).
As of April 4, 2024, The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter and Larry Sabato’s Crystal Ball rated the general election Solid/Safe Democratic, while Inside Elections with Nathan Gonzales rated it Likely Democratic. In 2022, Wexton defeated Hung Cao (R) 53.2%–46.7%.
All 435 seats are up for election. Republicans have a 218 to 213 majority with four vacancies. As of March 2024, 42 members of the U.S. House had announced they were not running for re-election.
Daily Kos calculated what the results of the 2020 presidential election in this district would have been following redistricting. Joe Biden (D) would have received 58.3% of the vote in this district and Donald Trump (R) would have received 40.2%.
