RICHMOND – Virginia voters chose nominees in key statewide and congressional primary races on Tuesday night, setting the stage for November contests in the U.S. Senate and two closely-watched House seats.
According to the Virginia Department of Elections’ unofficial results page, as of 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Republican Bert Mizusawa has won the Senate primary, and Democrats Shannon Taylor and Elaine Luria have won their respective congressional races.
Mizusawa won by 51.45% and 122,335 votes. He will challenge Sen. Mark Warner, the Democratic incumbent, in November. If he wins, he will be the first Virginian Republican senator since 2002.
Mizusawa, who highlighted his military and federal careers, ran on reducing what he called “excessive” government spending, affordability, border security and Second Amendment rights.
On Wednesday morning, he thanked supporters for the nomination in a post on X.
“The primary is behind us; the real fight starts now,” Mizusawa said. “Let’s stand united to defeat Mark Warner and bring real leadership, accountability and national-security focus back to the Senate.”
Shannon Taylor won the 1st Congressional District race by 53.11%, with 24,912 votes. She will face Rep. Rob Wittman, the Republican incumbent.
Taylor has served as the Henrico County Commonwealth’s Attorney since 2012. Her platform was focused on lowering taxes for working families, public safety, lowering utility costs and affordable healthcare.
“As Henrico’s top prosecutor, I have worked with Democrats, Republicans, and independents to keep my community safe and stood up to them when it was necessary,” Taylor said in a Tuesday night press release. “I will bring that same approach to Congress. I am ready to fight to lower costs, expand access to affordable health care, and to clean up the corruption in Washington that is hurting all of us. Tonight, we celebrate. Tomorrow, we get back to work.”
Elaine Luria won the 2nd Congressional District race by 80.42% and 32,844 votes. She will run against Republican incumbent Rep. Jen Kiggans, who defeated her in 2022.
Luria campaigned on affordable healthcare, lower prices for working families, reproductive rights, investing in national security and addressing climate change.
She celebrated her win in a Facebook post on Tuesday night.
“I’m honored to be your Democratic nominee in Virginia’s Second Congressional District to lower prices for working families, take on corruption in Washington, and flip the House to hold Donald Trump and Jen Kiggans accountable!” she said.
The winners will appear on Virginia’s Nov. 3 general election ballot.
