Who's running in Virginia's 3rd congressional district
4 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
4 candidates · ballot order · Bobby Scott currently holds this seat
Medium confidenceMedium confidenceThe candidate's stated positions and basic record are documented, but coverage is thin — often little independent reporting, or criticism from only one side.What would raise it: More independent reporting, a documented voting record, or published criticism from a named opponent would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
Federal investment in public education, the subject of his committee work.
Criminal justice reform, a long-standing focus of his legislative career.
Workers' rights and labour standards.
Shipbuilding and submarine construction in Newport News.
Oversight of immigration enforcement practices.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
U.S. Representative for the 3rd District since January 1993; re-elected in 2024 with 70% of the vote.
Ranking member of the House Education and Workforce Committee; dean of the Virginia delegation.
Served in the Virginia House of Delegates from 1978 to 1983 and the Senate of Virginia from 1983 to 1993.
Voted against the FY2026 Defense, Military Construction–VA and Homeland Security appropriations bills, citing ICE conduct, while supporting their shipbuilding provisions for the Columbia- and Virginia-class submarines and the Ford-class carrier.
Won the August 4, 2026 Democratic primary after challenger Justin Maffett withdrew.
Is 79 years old.
Arguments in favor
His seniority gives the district's shipyard direct leverage, and he uses it across party lines — joining Republicans Rob Wittman and Jen Kiggans and Democrat Jennifer McClellan to press the Defense Department to protect Hampton Roads funding.
— Joint congressional letter released by Rep. Bobby Scott's office
Federal employees' union AFGE, Planned Parenthood Action Fund and J Street endorsed him for 2026, and no Democrat stayed in the primary against him.
— Endorsements from the organisations named
Arguments against
Independent Steve Woll's campaign is built on the argument that the seat's long-standing representation answers to party and donors rather than to the district: "What if Hampton Roads had a representative who answered to this district — not to a party, not to a donor class, and not to Washington insiders?"
— Steve Woll campaign
What we couldn’t verify
No criticism of Scott by name could be found from any of his three general election opponents, from the National Republican Congressional Committee, or from Hampton Roads news coverage. Searches covered NRCC materials, his name against criticism, opponent and voting-record terms, his withdrawn primary challenger Justin Maffett, and WAVY, 13News Now, the Virginia Mercury and Virginia Scope. Neither independent names him on their campaign site; Woll's critique above is of the district's representation rather than of him personally.
He voted against the FY2026 Defense and Military Construction–VA appropriations bills in a district built around the Navy and its veterans. No opponent appears to have made an argument from those votes, so they are recorded as votes rather than as a case against him.
At 79 and in his seventeenth term he drew a primary challenger for the first time in years, though Justin Maffett withdrew before the August primary and no published statement of his case was found.
Support for veterans and their services, drawn from his own disability.
Public safety and backing for law enforcement.
Health care access for working families and seniors.
Education reform and support for teachers.
Protecting Social Security.
Second Amendment rights, which he frames as a right and a responsibility.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
United States Army veteran with several combat tours in the Middle East; retired early as a disabled veteran.
Former police officer in Puerto Rico.
Became the Republican nominee in 2026; the Republican Party of Virginia announced and welcomed his nomination.
Has not held elected office.
Arguments in favor
The Republican Party of Virginia publicly backed him on nomination, calling him "a dedicated patriot" and saying "it's time for new leadership" in the district.
— Republican Party of Virginia
Arguments against
Wikipedia's account of the race records the seat as one Scott is not expected to face a serious challenge for, and every forecaster rates it safe or solid Democratic: Scott took 70% in 2024 and has held the district since 1993.
— Cook Political Report, Inside Elections, Sabato's Crystal Ball and Decision Desk HQ ratings; 2024 result
What we couldn’t verify
No published criticism of Rivera by name could be found — not from Bobby Scott or his campaign, not from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, and not in Hampton Roads news coverage — and no case for him beyond his own campaign material and the state party's announcement.
His campaign site is behind a challenge page that blocks automated retrieval; the positions above come from a cached reading of it and from the state party's announcement.
No fundraising figures for his campaign were found.
Protecting what she calls the peace and stability of families in the district.
Civil rights litigation experience applied to federal policy.
An "America First, America ONLY" approach to federal spending and priorities.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Practising civil rights attorney in federal and state courts; lives in Chesapeake.
Says her work has included securing releases from federal prison.
Qualified for the November 2026 ballot as an independent.
Has not held elected office.
Arguments in favor
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
What we couldn’t verify
No published criticism of Gaines by name could be found — not from any opposing campaign, party committee, or Hampton Roads news outlet — and no published case for her beyond her own campaign site. Because no case against her exists on the record, none is presented for her either.
Her campaign site does not name the incumbent or explain why she is running as an independent rather than in a party primary.
No fundraising figures or endorsements were found.
Independence from party caucuses in how a member votes.
Fact-based decision-making in federal policy.
Representation accountable to the district rather than to donors or Washington.
Applying scientific and engineering methods to policy problems.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
United States Navy veteran; scientist and businessman.
Has lived in Hampton Roads for more than twenty-five years, working on Navy and private-sector technology problems.
Qualified for the November 2026 ballot as an independent.
Has not held elected office.
Arguments in favor
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
What we couldn’t verify
No published criticism of Woll by name could be found — not from any opposing campaign, party committee, or Hampton Roads news outlet — and no published case for him beyond his own campaign site. Because no case against him exists on the record, none is presented for him either.
His critique of Congress is systemic and does not name the incumbent.
No fundraising figures or endorsements were found.
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
Virginia held its primaries in 2026. Four candidates appear on the November ballot: Democratic incumbent Bobby Scott, Republican Edwin Rivera Jr. and independents Makiba Gaines and Stephen Woll. The roster is confirmed against the Virginia Department of Elections certified federal candidate list for the November 3, 2026 general election, revised September 8, 2026. The district covers inner Hampton Roads — Newport News and parts of Hampton and Norfolk. Scott won it with 70% in 2024 and every forecaster rates it safe or solid Democratic.
This is one contest on a longer ballot
A Virginia ballot also carries state legislative districts, county offices, judicial seats and often local questions — and which of them you vote on is decided by your street address, not your city or ZIP code.
Your ballot is determined by your election authority, not by us. Verify your registration, precinct, and sample ballot at Virginia Department of Elections.