Who’s Running Against Wittman in CD1?

Updated 12/12/25: Elizabeth Dempsey Beggs has thrown her hat in the ring. Please visit her website for information until we’ve had time to fully update the information here…

There’s been a lot of churn with candidates for the Democratic nomination in CD1 with several candidates joining the race and others ending their campaigns. Here’s an update on the Democrats hoping to unseat Rob Wittman next November:

Salaam Bhatti

• Public interest attorney and national anti-poverty advocate who repealed unjust laws and strengthened TANF
• Expanded SNAP and school meals for tens of thousands of Virginians
• Built a tool helping 2.5M families access $100M+ in aid across America

According to Bhatti’s campaign website, he “is running for Congress to tax the billionaires, guarantee health care for all, and restore trust in government — because Virginia’s 1st deserves a fighter for the people. No corporate PAC money. No AIPAC money. Just people power.”

Tim Cywinski

• Longtime grassroots advocate – envisions a new way forward by revitalizing the American Dream and getting big money out of politics.
• As an advocate he worked to restore Pell Grant funding and improve teacher support programs, lobbied for policies that promote economic opportunity for young Virginians and to expand medicaid for over 600,000 Virginians
• Works directly with frontline communities fighting landfills, compressor stations, pollution intensive power plants, and reckless data center sprawl

According to Cywinski’s campaign website “A New Way Forward means no corporate PAC money, no profit-driven special interests, just people. Healthcare that doesn’t bankrupt families. Quality education and childcare, no matter your income. An economy that rewards hard work instead of hoarding wealth at the top. A government that protects the dignity and rights of all people and communities.”

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.”

Jason Knapp

• Veteran, Father, Fighter
• Founder and managing director of Capitol Energy Advocacy
• adjunct professor at American University’s School of Public Affairs

Mr Knapp’s campaign website says he will prioritize economic security
from the ground up, democracy that actually works and real support for veterans. “I believe in common sense governance. Country over party. Results over rhetoric.”

Ericka Kopp

• Healthcare lawyer and caregiver to a disabled combat veteran
• Pushed for the creation of a public defenders’ office in Henrico County to bring legal defense to those who need it most.
• Takes on some of the toughest battles in healthcare law right here in Richmond

Ericka Kopp has “seen firsthand how badly Virginians are being let down. Our current representative has traded honesty and accountability for political gamesmanship. That’s not leadership; it’s betrayal.What we need is a fighter whose loyalty lies with the people, the Constitution, and the rule of law. We need someone who doesn’t cave to the ruling class but stands up to it. That’s exactly the kind of representative I intend to be for VA-01.”

Shannon Taylor

• Served 4 terms as Henrico County’s Commonwealth’s Attorney
• Ran in the 2025 Democratice primary for Attorney General
• “Proven Fighter for our Community”

“When Roe v. Wade was overturned, Shannon Taylor was one of the first prosecutors in America to say she would defend the right to abortion care. She has a record of shutting down fraudsters trying to take advantage of working families and locking up violent criminals who threaten our safety.”

Melvin Tull

• Father, Army veteran, Attorney & 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, “It’s not enough for candidates and politicians to care about the issues – we need real, actionable plans. That includes a willingness to work for bipartisan solutions, promote transparency and civility in public discourse, and build consensus among all constituencies.”

Amanda Pohl, Andrew Luccetti, Sean Sublette and James Shea have suspended their campaigns.