Public primary elections for the Democratic and Republican parties will be held on June 21, 2022. Off on a Tangent makes recommendations to party primary voters in each contested state- and federal-level primary race in Virginia, as well as those for Loudoun County local offices.
Political parties are private organizations that should not have any official standing in our political system. But Democratic and Republican primaries in Virginia are managed by the state and funded by taxpayers.
The purpose of a party primary should be for that party’s members to choose their nominees, but Virginia has an “open primary” system where any registered voter may vote in any one (but not more than one) primary each year.
Democratic Party Primary
A contested Democratic Party primary race is being held for one of Virginia’s eleven seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Representatives serve two-year terms and there are no term limits. Elections are held every two years. Currently, the Democratic Party holds seven of Virginia’s House seats and the Republican Party holds four.
U.S. House of Representatives
- 8th District: Incumbent Representative Don Beyer (D-VA 8th) is challenged by Victoria Virasingh. I make no recommendation.
Republican Party Primaries
Contested Republican Party primary races are being held for four of Virginia’s eleven seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Representatives serve two-year terms and there are no term limits. Elections are held every two years. Currently, the Republican Party holds four of Virginia’s House seats and the Democratic Party holds seven.
U.S. House of Representatives
- 2nd District: Tommy Altman, Andy Baan, Jarome Bell, and Senator Jen Kiggans (R-VA 7th) stand as candidates to challenge incumbent Representative Elaine Luria (D-VA 2nd). I recommend voting for Jen Kiggans.
- 3rd District: Ted Engquist and Terry Namkung stand as candidates to challenge incumbent Representative Bobby Scott (D-VA 3rd). I recommend voting for Terry Namkung.
- 6th District: Incumbent Representative Ben Cline (R-VA 6th) is challenged by Merritt Hale. I recommend voting for Merritt Hale.
- 7th District: Derrick Anderson, Gina Ciarcia, Senator Bryce Reeves (R-VA 17th), Spotsylvania County Supervisor Dave Ross (R-Courtland), Stafford County Supervisor Crystal Vanuch (R-Rock Hill), and Prince William County Supervisor Yesli Vega (R-Coles) stand as candidates to challenge incumbent Representative Abigail Spanberger (D-VA 7th). I recommend voting for Yesli Vega.