United States Senate election in Virginia, 2024 (June 18 Republican primary)

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U.S. Senate, Virginia
Democratic primary Republican primary General election
Election details
Filing deadline: April 4, 2024
Primary: June 18, 2024 General: November 5, 2024 Pre-election incumbent: Tim Kaine (Democratic)
How to vote
Poll times: 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voting in Virginia
Race ratings
Cook Political Report: Solid Democratic DDHQ and The Hill: Likely Democratic Inside Elections: Solid Democratic Sabato's Crystal Ball: Safe Democratic
Ballotpedia analysis
U.S. Senate battlegrounds U.S. House battlegrounds Federal and state primary competitiveness Ballotpedia's Election Analysis Hub, 2024
See also
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Hung Cao (R) won the Republican primary for U.S. Senate in Virginia on June 18, 2024. Cao received 64.3% of the vote. Eddie Garcia (R) received 10.0%, and Scott Parkinson (R) received 9.8%. Chuck Smith (R) and Jonathan Walker Emord (R) also ran in the primary.

Cao and Parkinson received the most media attention and endorsements. Incumbent Sen. Tim Kaine (D), who was first elected to the seat in 2012, ran for re-election.

Political commentators framed the primary within national politics, with the presidential election as a central issue. Virginia Mercury's Graham Moomaw said, "The Republicans hoping to run against Kaine have ... sought to tie the incumbent to the not-particularly-popular leader of the Democratic Party, portraying Kaine as a reliable ally to Biden and a supporter of Democratic economic and immigration policies that have contributed to Biden’s low approval ratings."

Another prominent issue was the role of competing national endorsements. Former President Donald Trump (R) endorsed Cao on May 26, 2024. Trump congressional allies, such as U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Mike Lee (R-Utah), and Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), endorsed Parkinson. Also of note, Parkinson worked for the Club for Growth. The group had a history of disagreements with Trump, including issuing competing endorsements in major congressional races and not inviting Trump to a donor retreat.

Cao, a retired Navy captain, immigrated to the United States as a refugee from Vietnam in 1975. Cao said, "We are losing our country ... we can't let that happen. I've been all over the world; believe me when I tell you if America fails, there's nowhere else to go. ... I still believe America can be the land of opportunity. I have an obligation to fight back against those who want to control our lives and disrupt our families."

Parkinson, the vice president of government affairs for the Club for Growth, said he would be "a warrior for the middle class, honing in on the fiscal insanity in Washington, championing economic growth policies, defending parental rights in education, and restoring public safety on our streets" and "will fight for parents’ rights, veterans’ benefits against the bureaucracy, and senior citizens against Leftist radicals that want to end Medicare as we know it."

Jonathan Walker Emord (R), Eddie Garcia (R), and Chuck Smith (R) also ran in the primary.

Eddie Garcia (R) and Chuck Smith (R) completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. To read those survey responses, click here.

This page focuses on Virginia's United States Senate Republican primary. For more in-depth information on the state's Democratic primary and the general election, see the following pages:

• United States Senate election in Virginia, 2024 (June 18 Democratic primary)
• United States Senate election in Virginia, 2024

Candidates and election results

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. Senate Virginia

Hung Cao defeated Scott Parkinson, Eddie Garcia, Chuck Smith, and Jonathan Walker Emord in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate Virginia on June 18, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Hung Cao	61.8	168,868
		Scott Parkinson	11.0	29,940
		Eddie Garcia	9.8	26,777
		Chuck Smith	8.8	24,108
		Jonathan Walker Emord	8.6	23,614

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 273,307
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Kimberly Nadine Lowe (R)
• Craig Ennis (R)
• TJ Wallace (R)
• Gwendolyn Hickman (R)
• Ron Vitiello (R)

Voting information

See also: Voting in Virginia

Election information in Virginia: June 18, 2024, election.

What was the voter registration deadline?

• In-person: June 18, 2024
• By mail: Postmarked by May 28, 2024
• Online: May 28, 2024

Was absentee/mail-in voting available to all voters?

N/A

What was the absentee/mail-in ballot request deadline?

• In-person: June 7, 2024
• By mail: Received by June 7, 2024
• Online: June 7, 2024

What was the absentee/mail-in ballot return deadline?

• In-person: June 18, 2024
• By mail: Received by June 18, 2024

Was early voting available to all voters?

N/A

What were the early voting start and end dates?

May 3, 2024 to June 15, 2024

Were all voters required to present ID at the polls? If so, was a photo or non-photo ID required?

N/A

When were polls open on Election Day?

6:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. (EST)

Candidate comparison

Candidate profiles

This section includes candidate profiles that may be created in one of two ways: either the candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey, or Ballotpedia staff may compile a profile based on campaign websites, advertisements, and public statements after identifying the candidate as noteworthy. For more on how we select candidates to include, click here.

Hung Cao

Party: Republican Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Biography:  Cao served in the U.S. Navy from 1989 to 2021, including as a special operations officer. He earned a bachelor's degree from the United States Naval Academy in 1996 and a graduate degree from the Naval Postgraduate School in 2008.

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Key Messages

The following key messages were curated by Ballotpedia staff. For more on how we identify key messages, click here.

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Cao said, "Not only have Joe Biden and Tim Kaine allowed millions of illegal immigrants to pour into our country, they have also allowed in a flood of drugs like fentanyl that are killing Americans in record numbers every single day. ... As Senator, I will stop it. We will build the wall, we will secure the border through advanced technology, we will support the Border Patrol and border states, and we will repel this invasion."

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Cao said, "Bold American energy and manufacturing policies will create good-paying jobs for Americans." He proposed oil independence from the Middle East and Venezuela as well as rebuilding American manufacturing and establishing fair trade with other countries, including China.

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Speaking on his background as a Vietnam War refugee, Cao compared the Biden administration to communist Vietnam and said, "We are losing our country ... we can't let that happen. I've been all over the world; believe me when I tell you if America fails, there's nowhere else to go."

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Show sources

Sources: Hung Cao U.S. Senate, "Border Security," accessed May 30, 2024, Hung Cao U.S. Senate, "Economy," accessed May 30, 2024, YouTube, "Hung Cao Fights For Us," July 18, 2023; Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on March 3, 2022

This information was current as of the candidate's run for U.S. Senate Virginia in 2024.

Eddie Garcia

Party: Republican Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Submitted Biography:  "I believe in a better tomorrow, where jobs pay well, schools have kids that are thriving, we put people over politics, and we have a government that works for All Americans. I want Virginia to be united in a better tomorrow, and I know how to do it. I’ve worked with lawmakers and policy experts to pass legislation that protects our veterans, enhances our military, and supports our Gold Star Families. As your Senator, Your priorities will always be my priorities. Let’s raise a Virginia that’s built for 2024 and beyond. I’m asking for your support to build a better tomorrow for all Americans. "

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Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.

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I believe by working together, we can rebuild trust in our institutions, we can help individuals and families thrive, and make the American dream more attainable and more affordable for every man, woman and child in the Commonwealth.

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I am committed to rebuilding a strong economy, lowing inflation, ensuring parental rights, protecting our most vulnerable, and doing all of this together, in a spirit of unity and respect.

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It’s time for Virginia to have new leadership in the United States Senate, one that is rooted in the values of freedom, faith, family, and putting people over politics.

This information was current as of the candidate's run for U.S. Senate Virginia in 2024.

Scott Parkinson

Party: Republican Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Biography:  Parkinson attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison. At the time of the election, he was the vice president of government affairs for the Club for Growth. He previously served as executive director of the Republican Study Committee and as then-Florida Rep. Ron DeSantis' (R) chief of staff.

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Key Messages

The following key messages were curated by Ballotpedia staff. For more on how we identify key messages, click here.

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Parkinson described himself as a warrior for the middle class. He said he would "fight for parents’ rights, veterans’ benefits against the bureaucracy, and senior citizens against Leftist radicals that want to end Medicare as we know it."

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Parkinson proposed "[r]estoring energy independence, enacting pro-growth tax reforms that incentivize job creation, risk-taking, and entrepreneurship, and deconstructing the administrative, regulatory state that crowds out investment and innovation" as ways to improve the economy. 

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In a social media post addressing immigration, Parkinson said, "I 100 percent oppose amnesty for illegal aliens! I 100 [percent] oppose catch & release!! I 100 [percent] oppose the Biden/Kaine Open Border policies!!!"

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Show sources

Sources: Parkinson U.S. Senate, "Meet Scott," accessed May 30, 2024, Washington Examiner, "Voters must choose between Bidenomics and prosperity," December 14, 2023, X, "Scott T. Parkinson," May 23, 2024; LinkedIn, "Scott Parkinson," accessed May 30, 2024, Parkinson U.S. Senate, "Meet Scott," accessed May 30, 2024

This information was current as of the candidate's run for U.S. Senate Virginia in 2024.

Chuck Smith

Party: Republican Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Submitted Biography:  "Rising from the projects of Greensboro, NC to the sand lots of Philadelphia, PA, onto the Marine Corps' training fields and to the courtrooms of the Navy JAG Corps, I do not come from riches or wealth nor climb through the privilege of private schools. I hail from the public schools of the south and the corridors of publicly funded colleges. And through it, like so many before me, courage, integrity, experience, and conservative leadership became the testament to my character, spirit, and faith. I am running for the US Senate to stop the shredding of the U.S. Constitution, to ensure its provisions are equally enforced at all levels of government; including the right to keep and bear arms, the right to life from conception until natural death, and enforce the laws against illegal immigration and secure our borders, and fight for freedoms against the encroachment of government. So help me, God."

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Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.

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I will fight against the mistreatment of parents like domestic terrorists, against crime and cancel culture.

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I will fight to grow our Economy, stop rocketed Inflation, and reign in the National Debt.

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I will fight to secure Election Integrity, Energy Independence, and our border.

This information was current as of the candidate's run for U.S. Senate Virginia in 2024.

Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses

Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. The section below shows responses from candidates in this race who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Survey responses from candidates in this race

Click on a candidate's name to visit their Ballotpedia page.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Expand all | Collapse all

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Eddie Garcia (R)

I believe by working together, we can rebuild trust in our institutions, we can help individuals and families thrive, and make the American dream more attainable and more affordable for every man, woman and child in the Commonwealth.

I am committed to rebuilding a strong economy, lowing inflation, ensuring parental rights, protecting our most vulnerable, and doing all of this together, in a spirit of unity and respect.

It’s time for Virginia to have new leadership in the United States Senate, one that is rooted in the values of freedom, faith, family, and putting people over politics.

Chuck Smith (R)

I will fight against the mistreatment of parents like domestic terrorists, against crime and cancel culture.

I will fight to grow our Economy, stop rocketed Inflation, and reign in the National Debt.

I will fight to secure Election Integrity, Energy Independence, and our border.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Eddie Garcia (R)

Veterans:

Veterans are truly the 1 percent. These are the men and women who volunteer to put their lives on the line for the whole nation and they deserve our admiration and our respect. They also deserve the care and the basic necessities that they were promised. I have been an advocate for veterans across the commonwealth from the moment I left the Army. As your senator, I will never play political games with our veterans, their families or their rightful benefits. To all the veterans, I will stand for you, always, because you’ve always stood for us.

Constitutional Rights For All:

The Rights enshrined in our Constitution are non-negotiable. Freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom to assemble and petition our government apply to everyone regardless of race, creed, gender or ethnicity. The Right to bear arms, the Right to privacy, the Right to due process, the Right to be considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law and the Right to vote apply to everyone regardless of race, creed, gender or ethnicity. These Rights and many more in our constitution are granted by God, not government and they are under constant attack by those who would silence their opposition. I will work every single day to ensure that Rights bestowed on all citizens remain for all citizens.

Community Family Values A strong, vibrant community is vital to fabric of our country.

Chuck Smith (R)

Cancel Culture policy and mistreating parents like domestic terrorists

Cyber Issues Drug policy Economic policy and the National Debt, foreign policy Election Integrity Energy Independence Fight against Crime Immigration policy and the Border Inflation

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Chuck Smith (R)

Every day, and every speech I look up to President Ronald Reagan and to President Abraham Lincoln; and I would like to follow the example set by them. Where Lincoln (like Reagan) did not shiver in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds and both, against the odds, renewed faith in a nation, renewed the values of freedom to millions of Americans to join as one America, and in so doing gave meaning to the US Constitution, bringing mother, father, son and daughter together, regardless of race, for the good of country. The principles they espoused were those that we have seen even at the dawn of the 20th century eradicate the vestiges of separate but equal and forever rise to warning that "Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream . . .". These men, their courage, their integrity, faith and experience are what brings this country into the full meaning of "We the People". Think about it- what if we had elected officials who did not shiver, compromise or cave to go along to get along?

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Chuck Smith (R)

Yes, there are books that I would recommend. I'd start with:

The Bible The Constitution of the United States of America. The Declaration of Independence. The Federalist Papers. The Emancipation Proclamation

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Chuck Smith (R)

Integrity, Courage, Conservative loyalty to the nation and its Constitution, and Experience in the understanding of the laws and the limits placed upon government in the execution of those laws.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Chuck Smith (R)

Faith in God

Belief in the Constitution Patriot Marine Corps (0311), enlisted during Vietnam Era Commander, Navy JAG Corps, Ret. Husband, father Business Owner Former Chairman. Statewide Frederick Douglass Foundation of Virginia Former Chairman. Republican Party of Virginia Beach Former Chairman. Statewide Ethnic Coalitions Committee. Republican Party of Virginia Former Chairman. Statewide Welcoming Committee. Republican Party of Virginia Former Chairman. 120 Club. Republican Party of Virginia Beach Former Member, State Central Committee. Republican Party of Virginia Former Basileus (President). Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Gamma Alpha Chapter Former Board of Directors. Roanoke Bar Association Former Board of Directors. Campus East Community Association Former Appeals Examiner (Richmond). Virginia Employment Commission Former Deputy Ombudsman. Des Moines. State of Iowa Delegate. Republican National Convention 2004 Delegate. Republican National Convention 2008

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Chuck Smith (R)

Core- adhere to the Constitution and the laws thereunder. Serve the people, not each other.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Chuck Smith (R)

To have left a place worn with tear where people recognize was a key in the battle for America and humanity.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Chuck Smith (R)

Assassination of President John F. Kennedy, I was 11 years old

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Chuck Smith (R)

US Marine Corps, Enlisted 1970, Discharged 1976

What is your favorite book? Why?

Chuck Smith (R)

Books:

The Bible- because it teaches how we should live. The Constitution- because it teaches how we must live.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Chuck Smith (R)

Daredevil

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Chuck Smith (R)

God Bless America- land that I love, stand beside her and guide her through the night with a light from above. . .

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Chuck Smith (R)

Growing up, watching people dig the ditches that they have fallen into, time and time again, chasing away the dreams they pursue, and doing the same thing over and over again expecting different result.

What do you perceive to be the United States’ greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

Chuck Smith (R)

In the brief space here provided, my summary is: I perceive that China, Iran and North Korea, will be the United States’ greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade. I believe that Russia is a threat if we continue expansion of NATO to pre-soviet bloc countries. Having said that, as China expands it economic base of influence throughout the world, China will become a greater threat economically and militarily. Tipping the scale will be Taiwan and our responses to its requests for help, or even interactions. Warning signs are China's imposition of sanctions against US companies selling supplies and equipment to Taiwan. North Korea and Iran are wild cards, because their presence on the world theatre is that which China allows and permits. They will be as useful (especially North Korea) as China needs them to be.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

Chuck Smith (R)

My thoughts on term limits are simple- serve two consecutive terms, (maximum three) and then get out/sit out and then run for reelection. This way the American people (your constituents) have a say-so in your continued service. The President can serve forever, 8-years at a time. To avoid the appearance or trappings of tyranny, the President is prohibited from serving a third term. Senators should be prohibited from serving a third term as well. In a matter of urgency, maybe a third term, but there is no rational basis for serving 18 or more years, except the rational of homesteading.

What qualities does the U.S. Senate possess that makes it unique as an institution?

Chuck Smith (R)

The institution of the U.S. Senate is but one-half of one of the three branches of government (United States Congress), serving the role on the check and balances of government. But unique to the upper chamber of the United States Congress serving as a brake on executive power is the responsibility of conducting impeachment proceedings of federal officials, advising on treaties, and engaging confirmation hearings of federal appointments including ambassadors and judicial court justices.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for senators to have previous experience in government or politics?

Chuck Smith (R)

No, I do not believe that it’s beneficial for senators to have previous experience in government or politics. If anything, it provides for the opportunity to develop the political clout and influence to homestead in public office, often without connection to the effectiveness of their public service. A clear example is that we find many elected officials who have been totally ineffective in office but who have gained clout and powerful influence from their previous experience using that power and influence to garner support amongst their colleagues and party officials to tilt the scale in their favor comes primary time or reelection time. Many of these people become political bullies, rather than effective leaders. The American people want elected officials to serve them, not serve each other.

What do you think of the filibuster?

Chuck Smith (R)

I support the filibuster and it is an essential tool to ensure the minority party gets a voice, and I support that.

Is there a particular senator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Chuck Smith (R)

No.

How would you evaluate a judicial nominee?

Chuck Smith (R)

The criteria that I will use to evaluate a judicial nominee:

(1) that the nominee desires to serve, rather than cater to the elected official. (2) that the nominee desires to have no conflicts or predispositions that would negatively affect their service. (3) that the nominee believes in the US Constitution as it is written

(4) that the nominee will uphold the US Constitution as it is written, its prohibitions of government and its guarantees of rights as written in the Amendments.

What kind of relationships would you build with other senators?

Chuck Smith (R)

The relationships that I would you with other senators is a working relationship, where compromise or agreements to compromise on fundamental matters do not exist. Too often our Senators pledge to serve each other rather than serve their constituents, endorsing a Senator's favorite bill, or a Senator's favorite friend. This policy has to end. Work should be accomplished with that which is in the best interest of the American people, and not the American Senator.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Chuck Smith (R)

I believe that compromise is necessary for policymaking, but not compromise on fundamental issues and fundamental values. There can be no compromise on the issues of Cancel Culture policy and mistreating parents like domestic terrorists, as this is destroying the fabric of our society. There can be no compromise on the issues of the illegal Immigration and open borders, as this affects the sovereignty of our nation- a nation without borders will fail to exist; Americans are not safe if drugs and trafficking pour through our borders. There can be no compromise on the issues of Election Integrity, as the legal vote is critical to the very existence of government.

How should the U.S. Senate use its investigative powers?

Chuck Smith (R)

Broadly, but not so broad that its powers transcend the rights guaranteed to the people under the Constitution. The Senate's power to conduct investigations is inherent in the broad legislative authority of the Senate. The authority of Senate to conduct investigations is an implied constitutional power, where the power to make Laws is the power to investigate. But remember that the Amendments are a check upon all power exercised by the Senate, by government.

What criteria would you apply when deciding whether to confirm presidential appointees to their Cabinet?

Chuck Smith (R)

The criteria that I would apply when deciding whether to confirm presidential appointees to their Cabinet is simple- (1) that appointees desire to serve, rather than cater.

(2) that appointees have no conflicts or predispositions that would negatively affect their service. (3) that appointees believe in the US Constitution as it is written (4) that appointees will uphold the US Constitution as it is written, its prohibitions of government and its guarantees of rights as written in the Amendments.

Campaign ads

Hung Cao

July 18, 2023

View more ads here:

• YouTube
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Scott Parkinson

April 4, 2023

View more ads here:

• YouTube
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• Facebook

Endorsements

See also: Ballotpedia: Our approach to covering endorsements

Click the links below to see official endorsement lists published on candidate campaign websites for any candidates that make that information available. If you would like to submit candidate endorsements in this race, please click here.

• Hung Cao
• Jonathan Walker Emord
• Eddie Garcia
• Scott Parkinson
• Chuck Smith

Election competitiveness

Polls

See also: Ballotpedia's approach to covering polls

We provide results for polls that are included in polling aggregation from FiveThirtyEight and RealClearPolitics, when available. No polls were available for this election. To notify us of polls published in this election, please email us.

Race ratings

See also: Race rating definitions and methods

Ballotpedia provides race ratings from four outlets: The Cook Political Report, Inside Elections, Sabato's Crystal Ball, and DDHQ/The Hill. Each race rating indicates if one party is perceived to have an advantage in the race and, if so, the degree of advantage:

• Safe and Solid ratings indicate that one party has a clear edge and the race is not competitive.
• Likely ratings indicate that one party has a clear edge, but an upset is possible.
• Lean ratings indicate that one party has a small edge, but the race is competitive.
• Toss-up ratings indicate that neither party has an advantage.

Race ratings are informed by a number of factors, including polling, candidate quality, and election result history in the race's district or state.

Race ratings: U.S. Senate election in Virginia, 2024
Race tracker	Race ratings
	November 5, 2024	October 29, 2024	October 22, 2024	October 15, 2024
The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter	Solid Democratic	Solid Democratic	Solid Democratic	Solid Democratic
Decision Desk HQ and The Hill	Likely Democratic	Likely Democratic	Likely Democratic	Likely Democratic
Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales	Solid Democratic	Solid Democratic	Solid Democratic	Solid Democratic
Larry J. Sabato's Crystal Ball	Safe Democratic	Safe Democratic	Safe Democratic	Safe Democratic
Note: Ballotpedia reviews external race ratings every week throughout the election season and posts weekly updates even if the media outlets have not revised their ratings during that week.

Election spending

Campaign finance

Name	Party	Receipts*	Disbursements**	Cash on hand	Date
Hung Cao	Republican Party	$9,832,460	$9,517,135	$407,806	As of December 31, 2024
Jonathan Walker Emord	Republican Party	$893,764	$893,031	$733	As of December 31, 2024
Eddie Garcia	Republican Party	$360,969	$356,902	$4,067	As of December 31, 2024
Scott Parkinson	Republican Party	$999,121	$992,104	$7,017	As of December 31, 2024
Chuck Smith	Republican Party	$573,144	$573,144	$0	As of November 19, 2024
Source: Federal Elections Commission, "Campaign finance data," 2024. This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC). * According to the FEC, "Receipts are anything of value (money, goods, services or property) received by a political committee." ** According to the FEC, a disbursement "is a purchase, payment, distribution, loan, advance, deposit or gift of money or anything of value to influence a federal election," plus other kinds of payments not made to influence a federal election.

Satellite spending

See also: Satellite spending

Satellite spending describes political spending not controlled by candidates or their campaigns; that is, any political expenditures made by groups or individuals that are not directly affiliated with a candidate. This includes spending by political party committees, super PACs, trade associations, and 501(c)(4) nonprofit groups.

If available, this section includes links to online resources tracking satellite spending in this election. To notify us of a resource to add, email us.

By candidate	By election
Hung Cao Jonathan Walker Emord Eddie Garcia Scott Parkinson Chuck Smith	Open Secrets Federal Election Commission

Noteworthy events

Allegations against Cao of misusing raised funds

In February 2023, Cao announced that his super PAC, Unleash America, was raising money to elect Republicans to the Virginia General Assembly. According to filings with the Federal Election Commission (FEC), the PAC raised $103,489 from individual donors in 2023. FEC and Virginia’s State Board of Election filings showed that the PAC did not give direct financial support to any Republican candidate for state or local office. Cao allegedly used the money to pay expenses associated with his 2022 U.S. House campaign and his 2024 U.S. Senate campaign.

Cao denied the report's claims, which initially appeared in USA Today and The News Leader. Speaking on the Alec Lace Show, he said the report was a "hit job" and that he did not promise to donate money to Republican candidates. Cao said he resigned from the PAC in May 2023. According to The News Leader, evidence of Cao promising donations to state legislative candidates could be found on radio show recordings while a memo from his Senate campaign listed him as resigning from the PAC on June 15, 2023.

Election analysis

Click the tabs below to view information about demographics, past elections, and partisan control of the state.

• Presidential elections - Information about presidential elections in the state.
• Statewide elections - Information about recent U.S. Senate and gubernatorial elections in the state.
• State partisanship - The partisan makeup of the state's congressional delegation and state government.
• Demographics - Information about the state's demographics and how they compare to the country as a whole.

• Presidential elections
• Statewide elections
• State partisanship
• Demographics

See also: Presidential voting trends in Virginia and The Cook Political Report's Partisan Voter Index

Cook PVI by congressional district

Cook Political Report's Partisan Voter Index for Virginia, 2024
District	Incumbent	Party	PVI
Virginia's 1st	Rob Wittman	Republican	R+6
Virginia's 2nd	Jennifer Kiggans	Republican	R+2
Virginia's 3rd	Bobby Scott	Democratic	D+17
Virginia's 4th	Jennifer McClellan	Democratic	D+16
Virginia's 5th	Bob Good	Republican	R+7
Virginia's 6th	Ben Cline	Republican	R+14
Virginia's 7th	Abigail Spanberger	Democratic	D+1
Virginia's 8th	Don Beyer	Democratic	D+26
Virginia's 9th	Morgan Griffith	Republican	R+23
Virginia's 10th	Jennifer Wexton	Democratic	D+6
Virginia's 11th	Gerald Connolly	Democratic	D+18

2020 presidential results by 2024 congressional district lines

2020 presidential results in congressional districts based on 2024 district lines, Virginia
District	Joe Biden	Donald Trump
Virginia's 1st	46.2%	52.3%
Virginia's 2nd	50.1%	48.2%
Virginia's 3rd	68.3%	30.0%
Virginia's 4th	67.2%	31.5%
Virginia's 5th	45.2%	53.4%
Virginia's 6th	38.4%	60.0%
Virginia's 7th	52.6%	45.8%
Virginia's 8th	77.4%	21.3%
Virginia's 9th	28.5%	70.3%
Virginia's 10th	58.3%	40.2%
Virginia's 11th	70.0%	28.7%

2012-2020

How a state's counties vote in a presidential election and the size of those counties can provide additional insights into election outcomes at other levels of government including statewide and congressional races. Below, four categories are used to describe each county's voting pattern over the 2012, 2016, and 2020 presidential elections: Solid, Trending, Battleground, and New. Click [show] on the table below for examples:

County-level voting pattern categories
Democratic
Status	2012	2016	2020
Solid Democratic	D	D	D
Trending Democratic	R	D	D
Battleground Democratic	D	R	D
New Democratic	R	R	D
Republican
Status	2012	2016	2020
Solid Republican	R	R	R
Trending Republican	D	R	R
Battleground Republican	R	D	R
New Republican	D	D	R

Following the 2020 presidential election, 52.2% of Virginians lived in one of the state's 39 Solid Democratic counties, which voted for the Democratic presidential candidate in every election from 2012 to 2020, and 29.4% lived in one of 81 Solid Republican counties. Overall, Virginia was Solid Democratic, having voted for Barack Obama (D) in 2012, Hillary Clinton (D) in 2016, and Joe Biden (D) in 2020. Use the table below to view the total number of each type of county in Virginia following the 2020 election as well as the overall percentage of the state population located in each county type.

Virginia county-level statistics, 2020
Solid Democratic	39	52.2%
Solid Republican	81	29.4%
New Democratic	5	13.2%
Battleground Democratic	1	2.9%
Trending Democratic	1	1.2%
Trending Republican	6	1.1%
Total voted Democratic	46	69.5%
Total voted Republican	87	30.5%

Historical voting trends

Virginia presidential election results (1900-2020)

• 17 Democratic wins
• 14 Republican wins

Year	1900	1904	1908	1912	1916	1920	1924	1928	1932	1936	1940	1944	1948	1952	1956	1960	1964	1968	1972	1976	1980	1984	1988	1992	1996	2000	2004	2008	2012	2016	2020
Winning Party	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	R	D	D	D	D	D	R	R	R	D	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	D	D	D	D

This section details the results of the five most recent U.S. Senate and gubernatorial elections held in the state.

U.S. Senate elections

See also: List of United States Senators from Virginia

The table below details the vote in the five most recent U.S. Senate races in Virginia.

U.S. Senate election results in Virginia
Race	Winner	Runner up
2020	56.0%	43.9%
2018	57.1%	41.1%
2014	49.1%	48.3%
2012	52.9%	47.0%
2008	65.0%	33.7%
Average	56.0	42.8

Gubernatorial elections

See also: Governor of Virginia

The table below details the vote in the five most recent gubernatorial elections in Virginia.

Gubernatorial election results in Virginia
Race	Winner	Runner up
2021	50.6%	48.6%
2017	53.9%	45.0%
2013	47.8%	45.2%
2009	58.6%	41.3%
2005	51.7%	46.0%
Average	52.5	45.2

See also: Party control of Virginia state government

Congressional delegation

The table below displays the partisan composition of Virginia's congressional delegation as of May 2024.

Congressional Partisan Breakdown from Virginia
Party	U.S. Senate	U.S. House	Total
Democratic	2	5	7
Republican	0	5	5
Independent	0	0	0
Vacancies	0	1	1
Total	2	11	13

State executive

The table below displays the officeholders in Virginia's top four state executive offices as of May 2024.

State executive officials in Virginia, May 2024
Office	Officeholder
Governor	Glenn Youngkin
Lieutenant Governor	Winsome Earle-Sears
Secretary of State	Kelly Gee
Attorney General	Jason Miyares

State legislature

Virginia State Senate

Party		As of February 2024
	Democratic Party	21
	Republican Party	19
	Other	0
	Vacancies	0
Total		40

Virginia House of Delegates

Party		As of February 2024
	Democratic Party	51
	Republican Party	49
	Other	0
	Vacancies	0
Total		100

Trifecta control

The table below shows the state's trifecta status from 1992 until the 2024 election.

Virginia Party Control: 1992-2024
Four years of Democratic trifectas  •  Four years of Republican trifectas
Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.

Year	92	93	94	95	96	97	98	99	00	01	02	03	04	05	06	07	08	09	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24
Governor	D	D	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	R	R	R	R	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	R	R	R
Senate	D	D	D	D	S	S	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	D	D	D	D	R	R	D	R	R	R	R	R	D	D	D	D	D
House	D	D	D	D	D	D	S	S	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	D	D	R	R	D

The table below details demographic data in Virginia and compares it to the broader United States as of 2022.

Demographic Data for Virginia
	Virginia	United States
Population	8,631,393	331,449,281
Land area (sq mi)	39,481	3,531,905
Race and ethnicity**
White	63.5%	65.9%
Black/African American	18.9%	12.5%
Asian	6.9%	5.8%
Native American	0.3%	0.8%
Pacific Islander	0.1%	0.2%
Other (single race)	3.5%	6%
Multiple	6.9%	8.8%
Hispanic/Latino	10%	18.7%
Education
High school graduation rate	91.1%	89.1%
College graduation rate	41%	34.3%
Income
Median household income	$87,249	$75,149
Persons below poverty level	6.8%	8.8%
Source: population provided by U.S. Census Bureau, "Decennial Census" (2020). Other figures provided by U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2017-2022).
**Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here.

Election context

Ballot access requiremenets

The table below details filing requirements for U.S. Senate candidates in Virginia in the 2024 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in Virginia, click here.

Filing requirements for U.S. Senate candidates, 2024
State	Office	Party	Signatures required	Signature formula	Filing fee	Filing fee formula	Filing deadline	Source
Virginia	U.S. Senate	Ballot-qualified party	10,000	Fixed number	$3,480.00	2% of annual salary	4/4/2024	Source
Virginia	U.S. Senate	Unaffiliated	10,000	Fixed number	N/A	N/A	6/18/2024	Source

U.S. Senate Virginia election history

2018

See also: United States Senate election in Virginia, 2018

General election

Incumbent Tim Kaine defeated Corey Stewart and Matt Waters in the general election for U.S. Senate Virginia on November 6, 2018.

General election

General election for U.S. Senate Virginia

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Tim Kaine (D)	57.0	1,910,370
		Corey Stewart (R)	41.0	1,374,313
		Matt Waters (L)	1.8	61,565
		Other/Write-in votes	0.2	5,125

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 3,351,373
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Democratic primary election

Incumbent Tim Kaine was the only candidate to file for the Democratic primary for U.S. Senator for Virginia. Therefore, the Democratic primary scheduled for June 12, 2018, was canceled.

Republican primary election

Corey Stewart defeated Nick Freitas and E.W. Jackson in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate Virginia on June 12, 2018.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. Senate Virginia

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Corey Stewart	44.9	136,610
		Nick Freitas	43.1	131,321
		E.W. Jackson	12.0	36,508

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 304,439
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Ron Wallace (R)
• Ivan Raiklin (R)
• Bert Mizusawa (R)

2012

U.S. Senate, Virginia General Election, 2012

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Timothy M. Kaine	52.9%	2,010,067
	Republican	George F. Allen	47%	1,785,542
	Write-In	N/A	0.2%	6,587
Total Votes				3,802,196
Source: Virginia State Board of Elections "Official Election Results, 2012 General Election"

2024 battleground elections

See also: Battlegrounds

This was a battleground election. Other 2024 battleground elections included:

• Los Angeles County District Attorney election, 2024 (March 5 nonpartisan primary)
• Los Angeles Unified School District, California, elections (2024)
• Wisconsin's 3rd Congressional District election, 2024

See also

• United States Senate election in Virginia, 2024 (June 18 Democratic primary)
• United States Senate election in Virginia, 2024
• United States Senate Democratic Party primaries, 2024
• United States Senate Republican Party primaries, 2024
• United States Senate elections, 2024
• U.S. Senate battlegrounds, 2024

External links

Suggest a link

• Search Google News for this topic

Footnotes

[show]

Virginia's current delegation to the United States Congress

Senators

Tim Kaine (D)

Mark Warner (D)

Representatives

District 1

Rob Wittman (R)

District 2

Jennifer Kiggans (R)

District 3

Bobby Scott (D)

District 4

Jennifer McClellan (D)

District 5

John McGuire (R)

District 6

Benjamin Lee Cline (R)

District 7

Eugene Vindman (D)

District 8

Donald Sternoff Beyer (D)

District 9

H. Morgan Griffith (R)

District 10

Suhas Subramanyam (D)

District 11

Vacant

Democratic Party (7)

Republican Party (5)

Vacancies (1)

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