|
Republicans have won the White House and flipped control of the United States Senate but Democrats remain hopeful in taking control of the US House of Representatives.
In Virginia, while several members have changed, it appears as if the partisan split of our delegation will remain the same with 2 Democratic US Senators, 5 Republican House Members, and 6 Democratic House Members.
If Rep. Jen Kiggans (R) holds her lead in the 2nd District, every Virginia candidate supported by the Virginia Credit Union League and America’s Credit Unions will have won their race.
We thank all the credit union advocates who donated to VACUPAC and America’s Credit Unions’ PAC; those who attended our Congressional meetings during America’s Credit Unions’ Governmental Affairs Conference (GAC) and Congressional Caucus, and everyone who joined us for our regional legislative receptions and other meetings held with Congressional leaders and candidates across the Commonwealth.
United States Senate
Virginia’s junior Senator, Tim Kaine (D) was elected to his third term in the Senate, defeating Republican candidate Hung Cao. Senator Kaine is a credit union supporter and will always consider our positions and perspectives on policy issues.
VACUL staff and credit union leaders met with Senator Kaine during GAC and with his financial services advisor during Congressional Caucus and we are working to schedule a meeting before the end of the year. In conjunction with America’s Credit Unions, supported Senator Kaine with a political contribution.
1st Congressional District
Congressman Rob Wittman (R) was elected to his 10th term in Congress against Democrat Leslie Mehta. Virginia’s 1st District includes large portions of Henrico, Chesterfield, and Hanover Counties as well as the Northern Neck, Middle Peninsula, and northern portions of the Lower Peninsula.
Rep. Wittman is a long-time credit union member and co-sponsored the Veterans Member Business Loan Act (H.R. 4867).
Rep. Wittman has been very active in visiting credit unions and hearing our issues and concerns. In the last year, he has visited branches of Henrico FCU, Navy FCU, and the Credit Union House of Virginia. In conjunction with America’s Credit Unions, supported Rep. Wittman with a political contribution.
2nd Congressional District
With votes still being counted, Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (R) currently holds a 4% lead against Democratic challenger Missy Cotter Smasal and Independent Robert Reid. This summer, she was leading in polls by upwards of 5%, however the race tightened as election day drew closer.
Virginia’s 2nd District includes the Eastern Shore, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, and portions of eastern southside Virginia. The district continues to be a very competitive district and is key to Republicans holding onto the US House of Representatives.
Rep. Kiggans has been very friendly to credit unions and always willing to meet with us and hear our priorities. VACUL staff and credit unions met with Congresswoman Kiggans in DC in March at GAC and she was the headliner of the Hampton Roads Legislation Reception in October. In conjunction with America’s Credit Unions, VACUL supported Rep. Kiggans with a political contribution.
3rd Congressional District
Congressman Bobby Scott (D) sailed into his 17th term in Congress again Republican challenger John Sitka, remaining as Virginia’s most senior member of Congress. The 3rd District includes Norfolk, Hampton, Newport News, Chesapeake, and Portsmouth.
Congressman Scott attended VACUL’s annual meeting in DC and met with credit union leaders during Congressional Caucus in September. America’s Credit Union’s PAC donated to Rep. Scott’s re-election campaign.
4th Congressional District
Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (D) easily won her first re-election race in the 4th District against Republican challenger Bill Moher. The 4th District runs from Henrico south to the North Carolina border.
VACUL worked closely with Rep. McClellan while she served in the Virginia House and Senate and she has remained engaged while serving in DC.
Congresswoman McClellan toured a Virginia FCU branch in Richmond as well as Peoples Advantage FCU’s Empowerment Center in Petersburg. America’s Credit Unions donated to Congresswoman McClellan’s re-election.
5th Congressional District
Republican State Senator John McGuire (R-10) won his first term to Congress to serve Virginia’s 5th District, which runs from Albemarle to Danville, against Democrat Gloria Tinsley Witt.
Senator McGuire defeated Congressman Bob Good (R-05) in a very contentious Republican primary. While serving in the Virginia House and Senate, McGuire has been a friend to credit unions, and we look forward to working with him while in Congress.
A special election will be held for his vacant Senate seat. Numerous Republicans have already indicated they plan to run for the position.
The Virginia Credit Union League hosted a meet-and-greet with Senator McGuire and credit union leaders in Lynchburg this summer.
6th Congressional District
Republican Congressman Ben Cline won election to his fourth term in Congress against Democrat Ken Mitchell and Independent candidate Robby Wells. The 6th District runs from Winchester to Roanoke and is a heavily Republican district.
VACUL built a lasting relationship with Rep. Cline while he served in the VA General Assembly. He remains one of the most accessible members of the Virginia Congressional delegation.
We met with Rep. Cline in DC during GAC, and he was the headline speaker at VACUL’s Waynesboro legislative reception.
7th Congressional District
Democrat Eugene Vindman narrowly defeated Republican Derrick Anderson in the very competitive open 7th District, which runs from the Potomac River to the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains.
Rep. Abigail Spanberger(D), who currently represents Virginia’s 7th District, did not run for re-election instead focusing on her run for Democratic nomination in next year’s Gubernatorial election. Both Vindman and Anderson won very crowded primary races. In a district which was one of the closest and most important House races in the country, being key to controlling the US House of Representatives.
VACUL staff met with Eugene Vindman virtually in August and hosted a meeting with him at Topside FCU’s Fredericksburg branch in October. In conjunction with America’s Credit Unions, VACUL supported Mr. Vindman with a political contribution.
8th Congressional District
Democratic Congressman Don Beyer easily defeated multiple challengers, Jerry Torres (R) and independent candidates David Kennedy and Bentley Foster Hensel to win his seventh term in Congress. The 8th District is the most Democratic district in Virginia, including the cities of Alexandria and Arlington.
Credit Union advocates met virtually with Rep. Beyer in the spring, and he visited Transportation FCU in Alexandria in October where he met with credit union leaders from across the district. America’s Credit Unions contributed to his campaign.
9th Congressional District
Congressman Morgan Griffith (R) defeated his Democratic challenger Karen Baker, by the widest margin of all 13 federal races in Virginia. He will serve his 8th term in Congress representing Virginia’s westernmost district, running from Salem to the Cumberland Gap.
Rep. Griffith served for many years in the Virginia General Assembly and VACUL and credit unions have always had a great relationship with him. Rep. Griffith co-sponsored the Credit Union Board Modernization Act.
Credit union leaders and VACUL met with Rep. Griffith at GAC, during the Congressional Caucus, and he was the headliner of our Roanoke area legislative reception.
10th Congressional District
Current Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton (D) decided not to seek re-election due to health challenges. State Senator Suhas Subramanyam (D-32) won election to his first term in Congress defeating Republican opponent Mike Clancy. Subramanyam will represent Virginia’s 10th Congressional District which includes western Northern Virginia running from Loudoun County to Rappahannock and Fauquier Counties.
State Senator Subramanyam won a very crowded Democratic primary against numerous other members of the VA General Assembly. While not a sure win for Democrats, the district is trending more Democratic each election.
Senator Subramanyam’s election will force Virginia to hold a special election to fill his Senate seat. This seat will likely be won by state Delegate and credit union friend Kannan Srinivasan (D-26), which will then force a special election for his vacant House seat. With an extremely narrow majority in both chambers, Virginia House and Senate Democrats want to ensure both elections are held prior to the 2025 General Assembly Session.
The Virginia Credit Union League met virtually with Senator Subramanyam after he won the primary and he headlined our Northern Virginia Legislative Reception. In conjunction with America’s Credit Unions, VACUL supported Senator Subramanyam with a political contribution.
11th Congressional District
Congressman Gerry Connolly (D) easily won election to his 9th term in Congress, defeating Republican candidate Mike Van Meter. The 11th District includes Fairfax City and County and is a very Democratic district.
Rep. Connolly, a long-time credit union supporter, visited branches of both Navy FCU and Apple FCU this year. Working with America’s Credit Unions, VACUL supported Rep. Connolly in both his primary and general elections.
|
