2023 Virginia General Assembly elections: Southwest and Southside

Check out all the new districts on VPAP’s interactive state Senate and House of Delegates district maps.

Cardinal has provided election information for every district in our coverage area. Since this will be the first election Virginians vote along these district lines, the political breakdown of each district was pulled from special masters’ estimates based on two 2017 statewide races.

Who is running in my district?

Click on your district below to see the candidates running, the geography of the new district, and past stories from area.

There are also a few Republican primaries for local races in Botetourt, Buchanan and Carroll counties, as well as Galax. Find more information on those at the bottom of the page.

House of Delegates races

• House District 35
• House District 36
• House District 37
• House District 38
• House District 39
• House District 40
• House District 41
• House District 42
• House District 43
• House District 44
• House District 45
• House District 46
• House District 47
• House District 48
• House District 49
• House District 50
• House District 51
• House District 52
• House District 53
• House District 56
• House District 83

State senate races

• Senate District 2
• Senate District 3
• Senate District 4
• Senate District 5
• Senate District 6
• Senate District 7
• Senate District 8
• Senate District 9
• Senate District 10
• Senate District 11
• Senate District 17

House of Delegates elections in Southwest and Southside

District 35

Two-party race? No, unopposed candidate

Candidates: Del. Chris Runion, R-Rockingham County

• Del. Chris Runion’s voting record

Dates to know: General Assembly elections will be held on Election Day, Nov. 7.

Partisan breakdown: A large majority of this district can be expected to vote Republican.

2017 Lt. Gov. race: 25.9% Democratic, 74% Republican; 2017 Attorney General race: 26.5% Democratic, 73.4% Republican

Geography of the district: Bath County, Highland County, southern Rockingham County, and all but the southeastern corner of Augusta County.

District 36

Two-party race? Yes

Candidates: Republican incumbent Ellen Campbell, of Rockbridge County, and Democrat Randall Wolf of Stuarts Draft

Dates to know: General Assembly elections will be held on Election Day, Nov. 7.

Partisan breakdown: 2017 Lt. Gov. race: 52.3% Democratic, 47.7% Republican; 2017 Attorney General race: 39.5% Democratic, 60.4% Republican

Geography of the district: The northeastern corner of Rockbridge County, southeastern Augusta County, Staunton and Waynesboro.

Stories from this district:

• Special election will choose successor to the late Del. Campbell
• Campbell wins easily, Democrat takes key Senate race
• Opinion: Southwest Virginia once led the state in electing women to the General Assembly. Now it lags. Will that change this year?

District 37

Two-party race? Yes

Candidate: Del. Terry Austin, R-Botetourt County and Democrat Stephanie Clark.

• Terry Austin’s voting record and past committee assignments

Dates to know: General Assembly elections will be held on Election Day, Nov. 7.

Partisan breakdown: A large majority of this district can be expected to vote Republican.

2017 Lt. Gov. race: 30.7% Democratic, 69.2% Republican; 2017 Attorney General race: 32.9% Democratic, 67% Republican

Geography of the district: Alleghany, Craig and Botetourt counties, western Rockbridge County, Covington, and Lexington.

Stories from this district:

• Opinion: Was it really ‘all hands on deck’ for rural Virginia?

District 38

Two-party race? No, unopposed candidate

Candidate: Del. Sam Rasoul, D-Roanoke

• Del. Sam Rasoul’s voting record

Dates to know: General Assembly elections will be held on Election Day, Nov. 7.

Partisan breakdown: A majority of this district can be expected to vote Democratic.

2017 Lt. Gov. race: 61.6% Democrat, 38.3% Republican; 2017 Attorney General race: 63.2% Democratic, 36.8% Republican

Geography of the district: Roanoke and parts of Roanoke County surrounding the city. 

Stories from this district:

• House panel unanimously backs Catawba transformation project
• Opinion: Del. Rasoul wants to let 16- and 17-year olds vote. What would happen if we did?
• Opinion: A Prescription Drug Affordability Board would lower prescription costs

District 39

Two-party race? No.

Candidates: Republican Will Davis of Franklin County.

Nomination: The primary will be held June 20. The General Election is Nov. 7.

Partisan breakdown: 2017 Lt. Gov. race: 28.9% Democratic, 71% Republican; 2017 Attorney General race: 31.1% Democratic, 68.8% Republican

Geography of the district:  Franklin County and eastern Roanoke County.

Stories from this district:

• Four Democrats may not make the ballot because of paperwork problems.
• Davis cruises past Jefferson in primary.
• Will Davis and Ron Jefferson compete for Republican nomination

District 40

Two-party race? Yes.

Candidates: Del. Joe McNamara, R-Roanoke County, and Democrat Misty Vickers.

• Del. Joe McNamara voting record

Dates to know: General Assembly elections will be held on Election Day, Nov. 7.

Partisan breakdown: A majority of this district can be expected to vote Republican.

2017 Lt. Gov. race: 40.1% Democratic, 59.8% Republican; 2017 Attorney General race: 42.5% Democratic, 57.4% Republican

Geography of the district: North and west Roanoke County, Salem and Cave Spring, plus part of Roanoke.

Stories from this district:

• Opinion: Sometimes, people should be more like politicians. Especially these two.
• House panel OK’s McNamara’s grocery tax repeal

District 41

Two-party race? Yes

Candidates: Republican Chris Obenshain and Democrat Lily Franklin, both from Montgomery County

Dates to know: The General Election is Nov. 7.

Partisan breakdown: This race will be competitive. Executive Editor Dwayne Yancey expects it to be the second biggest race in Southwest and Southside Virginia this year.

2017 Lt. Gov. race: 48.7% Democratic, 51.2% Republican; 2017 Attorney General race: 50.6% Democratic, 49.4% Republican

Geography of the district: Most of Montgomery County, excluding the northwest corner of the county, Christiansburg and Radford. The western half of Roanoke County is also part of District 41.

Stories from this district:

• James Harder out in 41st, leaving Lily Franklin as sole Democrat – Roanoke Times
• Opinion: March vs. Williams is just one of the nomination battles shaping up
• Meet the two Republicans running in Southwest Virginia’s only competitive House district.
• Republicans nominate Obenshain

District 42

Two-party race? No, only Republicans

Candidates: Incumbent Jason Ballard  of Giles County

• Del. Jason Ballard’s voting record

Dates to know: The General Election is Nov. 7.

Partisan breakdown: 2017 Lt. Gov. race: 36.3% Democratic, 63.6% Republican; 2017 Attorney General race: 38.8% Democratic, 61.3% Republican.

Geography of the district: Giles County, eastern Pulaski County, and the northwest corner of Montgomery County, including Radford and Christiansburg.

Stories from this district:

• Jody Pyles announces Republican challenge to Del. Jason Ballard – Roanoke Times 
• Gov. Youngkin endorses Ballard, McGuire, Reeves in contested General Assembly nominations
• A former aide to state Sen. Amanda Chase aims to oust Del. Ballard
• Del. Ballard easily wins renomination

District 43

Two-party race? Yes.

Candidate: Incumbent Republican Will Morefield, of Tazewell County and independent Dave Ratliff.

• Del. Will Morefield’s voting record 

Dates to know: General Assembly elections will be held on Election Day, Nov. 7.

Partisan breakdown: A large majority of this district can be expected to vote Republican.

2017 Lt. Gov. race: 22.2% Democratic, 77.6% Republican; 2017 Attorney General race: 22% Democratic, 77.9% Republican

Geography of the district: Bland, Tazewell and Buchanan counties, and eastern Dickenson County.

Stories from this district:

• House proposes $11.4 million for flood victims in Hurley
• House panel advances Stanley bill to fund school robotics teams

District 44

Two-party race? No, unopposed candidate

Candidate: Republican incumbent Israel O’Quinn of Washington County.

• Del. Israel O’Quinn’s voting record

Dates to know: General Assembly elections will be held on Election Day, Nov. 7.

Partisan breakdown: 2017 Lt. Gov. race: 25.1% Democratic, 74.8% Republican; 2017 Attorney General race: 24.6% Democratic, 75.3% Republican.

Geography of the district: Washington County and western Russell County.

Stories from this district:

• Del. Wampler won’t seek re-election  

District 45

Two-party race? No, unopposed candidate

Candidate: Republican incumbent Terry Kilgore of Scott County

• Del. Terry Kilgore’s voting record

Dates to know: General Assembly elections will be held on Election Day, Nov. 7.

Partisan breakdown: A large majority of this district can be expected to vote Republican.

2017 Lt. Gov. race: 22.4% Democratic, 77.5% Republican; 2017 Attorney General race: 20.8% Democratic, 79.1% Republican

Geography of the district: Wise, Scott and Lee counties, the eastern corner of Dickenson County and Norton.

Stories from this district:

• ‘We ask for the opportunity to prove ourselves’

District 46

Two-party race? No, unopposed candidate

Candidate: Jonathan Edward “Jed” Arnold, a Republican

Dates to know: General Assembly elections will be held on Election Day, Nov. 7.

Partisan breakdown: A large majority of this district can be expected to vote Republican.

2017 Lt. Gov. race: 23.8% Democratic, 76.1% Republican; 2017 Attorney General race: 24.8% Democratic, 75.1% Republican

Geography of the district: Grayson, Smyth and Wythe counties and the northwest corner of Pulaski County.

Stories from this district:

• Del. Campbell retires; legislative aide Arnold announce candidacy

District 47

Two-party race? Yes.

Candidates: Del. Wren Williams, R-Patrick Count and Democrat Patty Quesenberry and independent Jacob Frogel.

• Del. Wren Williams’ voting record

Dates to know: The General Election is Nov. 7.

Partisan breakdown: 2017 Lt. Gov. race: 25.4% Democratic, 74.5% Republican; 2017 Attorney General race: 26.6% Democratic, 73.4% Republican.

Geography of the district: Patrick County, western Henry County, Carrol County, Floyd County and Galax.

Stories from this district:

• March swears out assault warrant against Williams
• Del. March complains that fellow Republicans ‘attempted to humiliate me’
• House speaker endorses Williams in highly contested nomination battle
• Del. Williams ousts Del. March in primary
  
  
  District 48
  

Two-party race? Yes

Candidates: Del. Les Adams, R-Pittsylvania County, and Chance Trevillian, a Democrat

• Del. Les Adams’ voting record

Dates to know: General Election is  Nov. 7.

Partisan breakdown: 2017 Lt. Gov. race: 36% Democratic, 63.9% Republican, 2017 Attorney General race: 37.1% Democratic, 62.8% Republican.

Geography of the district: All but the southeastern corner of Pittsylvania County, eastern Henry County and Martinsville.

Stories from this district:

• Opinion: Yes, Virginia, legislators can work across party lines. Here’s the proof.

District 49

Two-party race? No, unopposed candidate.

Candidate: Republican incumbent Danny Marshall of Danville.

• Del. Danny Marshall voting record

Dates to know: General Assembly elections will be held on Election Day, Nov. 7.

Partisan breakdown: A majority of this district can be expected to vote Republican.

2017 Lt. Gov. race: 43.6% Democratic, 56.4% Republican; 2017 Attorney General race: 44.6% Democratic, 55.3% Republican

Geography of the district: Southern Halifax County, the southeast corner of Pittsylvania County and Danville.

Stories from this district:

• Republicans take back Tobacco Commission
• State Board of Elections takes no action on Danville Democrat’s request to get on the ballot

District 50

Two-party race? Yes.

Candidates: Republican incumbent Tommy Wright of Lunenburg County and Democrat Josh Blakely.

• Del. Tommy Wright’s voting record

Dates to know: General election will be held on Election Day, Nov. 7.

Partisan breakdown: 2017 Lt. Gov. race: 40.8% Democratic, 59.1% Republican; 2017 Attorney General race: 41.2% Democratic, 58.7% Republican.

Geography of the district: Mecklenburg County, Lunenburg County, Charlotte County, all but the northeastern corner of Prince Edward County, and northern Halifax County.

Stories from this district:

• The party nomination battles shaping up in Southwest and Southside
• ‘We believe this bill will save lives’
• Attorney, small business owner announces run for Virginia’s 50th District – WSET
• In Southside, Del. Wright faces first primary challenge in 22 years
• Marsden drops out of Southside race, Del. Wright unopposed for renomination.

District 51

Two-party race? Yes.

Candidate: Eric Zehr, a Republican from Campbell County, Democrat Kimberly Moran and Del. Matt Fariss, running as an independent.

Dates to know: General Assembly elections will be held on Election Day, Nov. 7.

Partisan breakdown: 2017 Lt. Gov. race: 22.9% Democratic, 77% Republican; 2017 Attorney General race: 24.5% Democratic, 75.4% Republican.

Geography of the district: Campbell County and southern Bedford County.

Stories from this district:

• Opinion: Some districts will get new legislators without a single vote being cast
• Del. Fariss files for re-election as an independent.

District 52

Two-party race? Yes.

Candidate: Del. Wendell Walker, a Lynchburg Republican, and Democrat Jennifer Woofter.

• Del. Wendell Walker’s voting record

Dates to know: General Assembly elections will be held on Election Day, Nov. 7.

Partisan breakdown: A majority of this district can be expected to vote Republican.

2017 Lt. Gov. race: 42.2% Democratic, 57.7% Republican; 2017 Attorney General race: 44.2% Democratic, 55.7% Republican

Geography of the district: Lynchburg and a small section of Campbell County.

Stories from this district:

• An uphill battle for Walker?
• Opinion: Del. Walker wants to make it easier for Lynchburg (or any other place) to elect its school board

District 53

Two-party race? Yes

Candidates: Republican Tim Griffin and Democrat Sam Soghor.

Redistricting left the new 53rd House District without an incumbent. All the candidates running are new to state politics.

Dates to know: The General Election is Nov 7.

Partisan breakdown: 2017 Lt. Gov. race: 29.6% Democratic, 70.3% Republican; 2017 Attorney General race: 31.1% Democratic, 68.8% Republican.

Geography of the district: Amherst County, western Nelson County along the Tye River, and northern Bedford County. 

Stories from this district:

• March vs. Williams is just one of the nomination battles shaping up
• Abortion and election law are central to GOP nomination for open House seat.
• Registrar determines candidate living in his friend’s garage meets residency requirements, petition to disqualify him fails.
• Republicans nominate Griffin for House seat.

District 56

Two-party race? No, only Republicans

Candidates: Tom Garrett, a Republican from Buckingham County,

• Tom Garrett’s voting record

Dates to know: General election will be held on Election Day, Nov. 7.

Partisan breakdown: 2017 Lt. Gov. race: 38.8% Democratic, 61.1% Republican; 2017 Attorney General race: 39.4% Democratic, 60.5% Republican.

Geography of the district: Buckingham, Appomattox, Fluvanna, Goochland and Cumberland counties, and the northeastern corner of Prince Edward County.

Stories from this district: 

• Fight erupts over how to allocate convention delegates from Appomattox County
• March vs. Williams is just one of the nomination battles shaping up
• Former congressman Garrett comes from behind to win Republican nomination

District 83

Two-party race? Yes

Candidates running: Republican incumbent Otto Wachsmann, from Sussex County, and Mary Person, a Democrat from Emporia

• Del. Otto Wachsmann’s voting record

Dates to know: General Assembly elections will be held on Election Day, Nov. 7.

Partisan breakdown: 2017 Lt. Gov. race: 47.8% Democratic, 52.1% Republican; 2017 Attorney General race: 48.3% Democratic, 51.6% Republican.

Geography of the district: Sussex, Brunswick, Greensville, and Southampton counties, as well as southern Dinwiddie County, Emporia, and northern Isle of Wight County.

Virginia state Senate elections in Southwest and Southside Virginia

District 2

Two-party race? Yes

Candidates:  Incumbent Republican Mark Obenshain of Rockingham County, and Democrat Kathy Beery and Libertarian Joshua Huffman.

• Sen Mark Obenshain’s voting record

Dates to know: General Assembly elections will be held on Election Day, Nov. 7.

Partisan breakdown: A large majority of this district can be expected to vote Republican.

2017 Lt. Gov. race: 32.7% Democratic, 67.2% Republican; 2017 Attorney General race: 33.2% Democrat,ic 66.7% Republican

Geography of the district: Bath, Highland, Rockingham and Page counties, and all but the southeast corner of Augusta County.

Stories from this district:

• Sen. Hanger will retire after 27 years in state Senate

District 3

Two-party race? Yes

Candidates: Chris Head, a Republican from Botetourt County, Jade Harris, a Democrat from Rockbridge County 

• Chris Head currently serves in the House of Delegates. His voting record

Dates to know: General Assembly elections will be held on Election Day, Nov. 7.

Partisan breakdown: A majority of this district can be expected to vote Republican.

2017 Lt. Gov. race: 34.2% Democratic, 65.7% Republican; 2017 Attorney General race: 35.8% Democratic, 64.1% Republican.

Geography of the district: Alleghany, Craig, Botetourt and Rockbridge counties, as well as northern Roanoke County, southeastern Augusta County and Waynesboro, Staunton, Lexington, Buena Vista and Covington.

Stories from this district:

• Sen. Hanger will retire after 27 years in state Senate
• News Briefs: Jade Harris enters race for state Senate; more . . .

District 4

Two-party race? Yes

Candidates: Incumbent Republican David Suetterlein, of Roanoke County. Democat Trish White-Boyd of Roanoke.

• Sen. David Suetterlein’s voting record

Dates to know: A Democratic primary will be held June 20. The General Election is Nov. 7.

Partisan breakdown: This district is competitive. It has the potential to decide which direction the Senate will lean next year.

2017 Lt. Gov. race: 45.9% Democratic, 54% Republican; 2017 Attorney General race: 47.9% Democratic, 52% Republican.

Geography of the district: District 4 includes eastern Montgomery County, Roanoke, Salem, and southern Roanoke County.

Stories from this district:

• March vs. Williams is just one of the nomination battles shaping up
• Sen. John Edwards is retiring
• Luke Priddy will seek Democratic nomination following Edwards’ retirement
• Trish White-Boyd becomes second Democrat to enter race following Edwards’ retirement
• White-Boyd wins Democratic primary

District 5

Two-party race? Yes.

Candidates: Incumbent Republican Travis Hackworth, of Tazewell County and Democrat Robert Beckman.

• Sen. Travis Hackworth’s voting record

Dates to know: General Assembly elections will be held on Election Day, Nov. 7.

Partisan breakdown:  A large majority of this district can be expected to vote Republican.

 2017 Lt. Gov. race: 34.8% Democratic, 65.1% Republican; 2017 Attorney General race: 36.3% Democratic, 63.6% Republican.

Geography of the district: Bland, Tazewell, Smyth, Giles, and Pulaski counties, western Montgomery County and northern Wythe County. 

Stories from this district:

• It’s time for the House and Senate to swap bills. Here’s the legislation that’s survived the divided legislature.
• Transgender course reversal?

District 6

Two-party race? No, unopposed candidate

Candidates: Incumbent Republican Todd Pillion, of Washington County

• Sen. Todd Pillion’s voting record

Dates to know: General Assembly elections will be held on Election Day, Nov. 7.

Partisan breakdown:  A large majority of this district can be expected to vote Republican.

 2017 Lt. Gov. race: 24.4% Democratic, 75.5% Republican; 2017 Attorney General race: 23.3% Democratic, 76.7% Republican.

Geography of the district: Lee, Wise, Scott, Dickenson, Buchanan, Russell and Washington counties. Bristol and Norton.

Stories from this district:

• Opinion: With more compact lines, some rural districts have actually gotten smaller

District 7

Two-party race? Yes.

Candidates: Incumbent Republican Bill Stanley, of Franklin County and Democrat Deborah “Renie” Gates.

• Sen. Bill Stanley’s voting record

Dates to know: General Assembly elections will be held on Election Day, Nov. 7.

Partisan breakdown:  A large majority of this district can be expected to vote Republican.

 2017 Lt. Gov. race: 29.2% Democratic, 70.7% Republican; 2017 Attorney General race: 30.6% Democratic, 69.3% Republican.

Geography of the district: Grayson, Carrol Floyd, Patrick, Henry and Franklin counties, plus the southern half of Wythe County, Galax and Martinsville.

Stories from this district:

• Opinion: State Sen. Bill Stanley is now a podcaster and race car owner
• House panel advances Stanley bill to fund school robotics teams

District 8

Two-party race? Yes.

Candidate: Republican incumbent  Mark Peake of Lynchburg and Democrat Donna StClair.

• Sen. Mark Peake’s voting record

Dates to know: General Assembly elections will be held on Election Day, Nov. 7.

Partisan breakdown:  A large majority of this district can be expected to vote Republican.

 2017 Lt. Gov. race: 30% Democratic, 69.9% Republican; 2017 Attorney General race: 31.8% Democratic, 68.1% Republican.

Geography of the district: Bedford County, Campbell County, and Lynchburg

Stories from this district:

• Opinion: We’re waiting on three senators to decide whether they intend to run again
• State Sen. Steve Newman to retire after 35 years in politics

District 9

Two-party race? No.

Candidates:  Incumbent Republican Frank Ruff of Mecklenburg County and write-in candidate Trudy Berry.

• Frank Ruff’s voting record

Dates to know: General Election is Nov. 7. 

Partisan breakdown: A majority of this district can be expected to vote Republican.

2017 Lt. Gov. race: 38.9% Democratic, 61.1% Republican;, 2017 Attorney General race: 39.6% Democratic, 60.3% Republican.

Geography of the district: Pittsylvania, Halifax, Mecklenburg, Lunenburg, Nottoway and Charlotte counties, plus Danville and southern Prince Edward County.

Stories from this district:

• Four Democrats may not make the ballot because of paperwork problems
• Southside Virginia legislators aren’t interested in overturning uranium mining moratorium

District 10

Two-party race? No.

Candidates: Republican John McGuire of Goochland County.

Dates to know: The General Election is Nov. 7.

Partisan breakdown: A majority of this district can be expected to vote Republican.

2017 Lt. Gov. race: 35.5% Democratic, 64.4% Republican; 2017 Attorney General race: 36.0% Democratic, 63.9% Republican.

Geography of the district: Appomattox, Buckingham, Cumberland, Powhatan, Amelia, Goochland, Hanover and Fluvanna counties, as well as eastern Louisa County and the northwest corner of Prince Edward County. 

Stories from this district:

• Gov. Youngkin endorses Ballard, McGuire, Reeves in contested General Assembly nomination
• Republicans nominate McGuire in four-way contest for state Senate seat.
• State Board of Elections takes no request on Democrat’s late request to get on the ballot

District 11

Two-party race? Yes

Candidates: Democrats Sen. Creigh Deeds, of Charlottesville, Republican Philip Hamilton, independent J’riah Guerrero.

• Creigh Deeds’ voting record.

Dates to know: General election is Nov. 7.

Partisan breakdown: A majority of this district can be expected to vote Democratic.

 2017 Lt. Gov. race: 61.6% Democratic, 38.3% Republican; 2017 Attorney General race: 62.2% Democratic, 37.7% Republican.

Geography of the district: Amherst, Nelson and Albemarle counties, as well as western Louisa County and Charlottesville. 

Stories from this district:

• Deeds wins primary
• Experience vs. generational change: Deeds and Hudson square off
• Opinion: Sen. Deeds says he gets more bills passed than Del. Hudson. Here’s why.
• Opinion: Could Del. March oust Rep. Griffith? Can Del. Hudson beat state Sen. Deeds? Here’s what the math shows.
• Deeds vows to move to Charlottesville

District 17

Two-party race? Yes

Candidates: Del. Emily Brewer, a Republican from Suffolk and Del. Clinton Jenkins, a Democrat from Suffolk

Brewer and Jenkins both serve in the House of Delegates.

• Emily Brewer’s voting record
• Clinton Jenkins’ voting record

Dates to know: A Republican primary will be held June 20. General Election is Nov. 7.

Partisan breakdown: This district may be competitive.

2017 Lt. Gov. race: 52.3% Democratic, 47.7% Republican; 2017 Attorney General race: 53.2% Democratic, 46.8% Republican.

Geography of the district: Brunswick, Greenville, Southampton, Isle of Wight and Suffolk counties, as well as western Dinwiddie County, Emporia and Franklin.

Stories from this district:

• Former NASCAR driver kicks off state Senate race
• Lawsuit alleges Youngkin pushed Dept. of Elections to change a Southside state Senate nomination process
• Judge orders primary in Brewer-Sadler contest for Republican state Senate nomination in Southside
• Rising Republican star and former NASCAR driver collide in Republican primary in Southside
• Brewer wins Republican primary