Meet the Democratic Candidates Hoping to Unseat Wittman in 2026

Updated Sept. 15: Nine Democrats are now in the race to unseat the GOP incumbent. Five are profiled below and four are covered here. Amanda Pohl has suspended her campaign.

In a major development, six Democrats have entered the 2026 primary race to challenge incumbent Congressman Rob Wittman (R VA1). This is significant news not only because of the number of candidates in play but also because the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) named Rob Wittman as one of the most vulnerable Republicans in the country, highlighting this seat as a top pick-up opportunity for Democrats seeking to reclaim the House majority. (via Blue Virginia)

Meet the candidates

Presenting the 2026 Democratic primary candidates in alphabetical order.

Salaam Bhatti

• Public interest attorney at the Virginia Poverty Law Center
• Lifelong advocate for working families
• Testified before Congress to protect SNAP and volunteered for Meals on Wheels

According to Bhatti’s campaign website, “he’s running for Congress in Virginia’s 1st District to keep fighting for the working class and make life affordable, invest in infrastructure, and use tech to make government actually work for the people.”

Lisa Vedernikova Khanna

• Former board member of the Chesterfield Court Appointed Special Advocates
• Led revitalization efforts through the Church Hill Association in Richmond
• A former president of the Metro Richmond Area Young Democrats

According to Khanna’s campaign website, she “is running for Congress because the American Dream is under attack…We need a new generation of leaders in Washington who know what’s at stake and will stand up and fight to protect it.”

Andrew Lucchetti

• Civil rights attorney with a focus on personal injury cases
• Member of the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association
• Member of the Board of Lawyers Helping Lawyers

According to Lucchetti’s campaign website, he pledges to “be a Representative who stands up against corruption and for the rule of law, fights to deliver quality, affordable healthcare for all, protects a woman’s right to make her own healthcare decisions, and builds an economy that works for everyone.”

Amanda Pohl – Withdrawn

• Current Clerk of Court in Chesterfield and the first Democrat in the role since Reconstruction
• Former Executive Director of Deliver My Vote and Deliver My Vote Education Fund
• Former Programs Director for a nonpartisan coalition focused on women in politics

According to Pohl’s campaign website, “She’s running for Congress to bring real representation to Virginia’s 1st — because our district deserves someone who listens, engages, and shows up.”

James Shea

• Economics teacher at Henrico County Public Schools
• Volunteered for Better2gether, Maymont, and other organizations
• Served on multiple boards, including the Midlothian Business Alliance and the Museum District Association

According to Shea’s campaign website, he’s running for Congress “Because I’m an American.” James believes in the values and traditions of America. His goal is to return “fiscal sanity to the 1st congressional district of Virginia.”

Melvin Tull

• Attorney, Army veteran, and community leader
• Supported vulnerable children and families through Henrico CASA and the Children’s Home Society of Virginia
• Small-business owner

According to Tull’s campaign website, he’s running because “…Virginia’s First Congressional District…needs a leader who will represent every single one of us…I want to build a country where upward mobility is truly possible for everyone.”

Who does N4C endorse?

N4C does not endorse candidates before the primary election because we believe in providing you with the information you need to make an informed choice.