Virginia's 4th Congressional District

Virginia's 4th Congressional District

Incumbent

Jennifer McClellan

Assumed office: March 7, 2023

Virginia's 4th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives is represented by Jennifer McClellan (D).

As of the 2020 Census, Virginia representatives represented an average of 786,777 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 730,703 residents.

Elections

• 2030
• 2028
• 2026
• 2024
• 2023
• 2022
• 2020
• 2018

See also: Virginia's 4th Congressional District election, 2030

There are no official candidates yet for this election.

See also: Virginia's 4th Congressional District election, 2028

There are no official candidates yet for this election.

See also: Virginia's 4th Congressional District election, 2026

Note: At this time, Ballotpedia is combining all declared candidates for this election into one list under a general election heading. As primary election dates are published, this information will be updated to separate general election candidates from primary candidates as appropriate.

General election

The general election will occur on November 3, 2026.

General election for U.S. House Virginia District 4

Incumbent Jennifer McClellan (D) is running in the general election for U.S. House Virginia District 4 on November 3, 2026.

		Candidate
		Jennifer McClellan (D)

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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See also: Virginia's 4th Congressional District election, 2024

General election

General election for U.S. House Virginia District 4

Incumbent Jennifer McClellan (D) defeated Bill Moher (R) in the general election for U.S. House Virginia District 4 on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jennifer McClellan (D)	67.3	252,885
		Bill Moher (R)	32.4	121,814
		Other/Write-in votes	0.2%	809

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 375,508
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary

The Democratic primary scheduled for June 18, 2024, was canceled. Incumbent Jennifer McClellan (D) advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Virginia District 4 without appearing on the ballot.

Republican primary

The Republican primary scheduled for June 18, 2024, was canceled. Bill Moher (R) advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Virginia District 4 without appearing on the ballot.

See also: Virginia's 4th Congressional District special election, 2023

General election

Special general election for U.S. House Virginia District 4

Jennifer McClellan (D) defeated Leon Benjamin Sr. (R) in the special general election for U.S. House Virginia District 4 on February 21, 2023.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jennifer McClellan (D)	74.4	82,040
		Leon Benjamin Sr. (R)	25.5	28,083
		Other/Write-in votes	0.1%	129

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 110,252
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic convention

Special Democratic convention for U.S. House Virginia District 4

Jennifer McClellan (D) defeated Joseph Morrissey (D), Tavorise Marks (D), and Joseph Preston (D) in the special Democratic convention for U.S. House Virginia District 4 on December 20, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jennifer McClellan	84.8	23,661
		Joseph Morrissey	13.6	3,782
		Tavorise Marks	0.8	217
		Joseph Preston	0.6	174
		Other/Write-in votes	0.2%	66

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 27,900
= 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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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Lamont Bagby (D)

Republican convention

Special Republican convention for U.S. House Virginia District 4

Leon Benjamin Sr. (R) defeated Derrick Hollie (R) in the special Republican convention for U.S. House Virginia District 4 on December 17, 2022.

		Candidate
✔		Leon Benjamin Sr.
	Submit photo	Derrick Hollie

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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See also: Virginia's 4th Congressional District election, 2022

General election

General election for U.S. House Virginia District 4

Incumbent Aston Donald McEachin (D) defeated Leon Benjamin Sr. (R) in the general election for U.S. House Virginia District 4 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Aston Donald McEachin (D)	64.9	159,044
		Leon Benjamin Sr. (R)	34.9	85,503
		Other/Write-in votes	0.2%	425

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 244,972
= 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

The Democratic primary scheduled for June 21, 2022, was canceled. Incumbent Aston Donald McEachin (D) advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Virginia District 4 without appearing on the ballot.

Republican primary

The Republican primary scheduled for June 21, 2022, was canceled. Leon Benjamin Sr. (R) advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Virginia District 4 without appearing on the ballot.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Michael Dickinson (R)
• Philip Hamilton (R)

See also: Virginia's 4th Congressional District election, 2020

General election

General election for U.S. House Virginia District 4

Incumbent Aston Donald McEachin (D) defeated Leon Benjamin Sr. (R) in the general election for U.S. House Virginia District 4 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Aston Donald McEachin (D)	61.6	241,142
		Leon Benjamin Sr. (R)	38.2	149,625
		Other/Write-in votes	0.1%	578

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 391,345
= 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

Democratic primary for U.S. House Virginia District 4

Incumbent Aston Donald McEachin (D) defeated R. Cazel Levine (D) in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Virginia District 4 on June 23, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Aston Donald McEachin	80.0	45,083
		R. Cazel Levine	20.0	11,287

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 56,370
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican convention

Republican convention for U.S. House Virginia District 4

Leon Benjamin Sr. (R) advanced from the Republican convention for U.S. House Virginia District 4 on June 27, 2020.

		Candidate
✔		Leon Benjamin Sr.

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source
= 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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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• James Spivey (R)

See also: United States House of Representatives elections in Virginia, 2018

General election

General election for U.S. House Virginia District 4

Incumbent Aston Donald McEachin (D) defeated Ryan McAdams (R) and Pete Wells (L) in the general election for U.S. House Virginia District 4 on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Aston Donald McEachin (D)	62.6	187,642
		Ryan McAdams (R)	35.9	107,706
		Pete Wells (L)	1.4	4,233
		Other/Write-in votes	0.1%	273

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 299,8540
= 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

Democratic primary for U.S. House Virginia District 4

Incumbent Aston Donald McEachin (D) advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Virginia District 4 on June 12, 2018.

		Candidate
✔		Aston Donald McEachin

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary

Republican primary for U.S. House Virginia District 4

Ryan McAdams (R) defeated Shion Fenty (R) in the Republican primary for U.S. House Virginia District 4 on June 12, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Ryan McAdams	72.6	17,513
		Shion Fenty	27.4	6,621

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 24,134
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• David Leon (R)

Previous election results

2016

See also: Virginia's 4th Congressional District election, 2016

Heading into the election, Ballotpedia rated this race as safely Democratic. Donald McEachin (D) defeated Mike Wade (R) in the general election on November 8, 2016. McEachin defeated Ella P. Ward in the Democratic primary, while Wade defeated Jackee Gonzalez to win the Republican nomination. The primary elections took place on June 14, 2016. Incumbent Randy Forbes (R) chose to seek re-election in the 2nd District instead of the 4th after redistricting flipped his safely Republican seat to a safely Democratic one.

U.S. House, Virginia District 4 General Election, 2016

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Donald McEachin	57.7%	200,136
	Republican	Mike Wade	42%	145,731
	N/A	Write-in	0.2%	789
Total Votes				346,656
Source: Virginia Department of Elections

U.S. House, Virginia District 4 Republican Primary, 2016

Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Mike Wade	64%	4,987
Jackee Gonzalez	36%	2,801
Total Votes		7,788
Source: Virginia Department of Elections

U.S. House, Virginia District 4 Democratic Primary, 2016

Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Donald McEachin	75.4%	11,851
Ella Ward	24.6%	3,867
Total Votes		15,718
Source: Virginia Department of Elections

2014

See also: Virginia's 4th Congressional District elections, 2014

The 4th Congressional District of Virginia held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 4, 2014. Incumbent Randy Forbes defeated Elliott Fausz (D) and Libertarian Bo Brown in the general election.

U.S. House, Virginia District 4 General Election, 2014

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Randy Forbes Incumbent	60.2%	120,684
	Democratic	Elliott Fausz	37.5%	75,270
	Libertarian	Bo Brown	2.2%	4,427
	N/A	Write-in	0.1%	257
Total Votes				200,638
Source: Virginia Department of Elections

2012

See also: Virginia's 4th Congressional District elections, 2012

The 4th Congressional District of Virginia held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 6, 2012. Incumbent Randy Forbes won re-election in the district.

U.S. House, Virginia District 4 General Election, 2012

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Ella Ward	42.9%	150,190
	Republican	Randy Forbes Incumbent	56.9%	199,292
	Write-In	N/A	0.2%	564
Total Votes				350,046
Source: Virginia State Board of Elections "Official Election Results, 2012 General Election"

2010
On November 2, 2010, Randy Forbes won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Wynne V. E. LeGrow (D) in the general election.

U.S. House, Virginia District 4 General Election, 2010
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Randy Forbes incumbent	62.3%	123,659
	Democratic	Wynne V. E. LeGrow	37.5%	74,298
	N/A	Write-in	0.2%	432
Total Votes				198,389

2008
On November 4, 2008, Randy Forbes won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Andrea R. Miller (D) in the general election.

U.S. House, Virginia District 4 General Election, 2008
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Randy Forbes incumbent	59.5%	199,075
	Democratic	Andrea R. Miller	40.4%	135,041
	N/A	Write-in	0.1%	405
Total Votes				334,521

2006
On November 7, 2006, Randy Forbes won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Albert P. Burckard, Jr. (Green) in the general election.

U.S. House, Virginia District 4 General Election, 2006
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Randy Forbes incumbent	76.1%	150,967
	Green	Albert P. Burckard, Jr.	23.4%	46,487
	N/A	Write-in	0.4%	886
Total Votes				198,340

2004
On November 2, 2004, Randy Forbes won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Jonathan R. Menefee (D) in the general election.

U.S. House, Virginia District 4 General Election, 2004
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Randy Forbes incumbent	64.5%	182,444
	Democratic	Jonathan R. Menefee	35.5%	100,413
	N/A	Write-in	0.1%	170
Total Votes				283,027

2002
On November 5, 2002, Randy Forbes won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Write-in challengers in the general election.

U.S. House, Virginia District 4 General Election, 2002
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Randy Forbes incumbent	97.9%	108,733
	N/A	Write-in	2.1%	2,308
Total Votes				111,041

2001
On June 19, 2001, Randy Forbes won election to the United States House. He defeated L. Louise Lucas (D) in the special election.

U.S. House, Virginia District 4 Special Election, 2001
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Randy Forbes	52%	70,917
	Democratic	L. Louise Lucas	47.8%	65,190
	N/A	Write-in	0.2%	208
Total Votes				136,315

2000
On November 7, 2000, Norman Sisisky won re-election to the United States House. He ran unopposed in the general election.

U.S. House, Virginia District 4 General Election, 2000
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Norman Sisisky incumbent	98.9%	189,787
	N/A	Write-in	1.1%	2,108
Total Votes				191,895

District map

Redistricting

2020-2021

See also: Redistricting in Virginia after the 2020 census

The Virginia Supreme Court unanimously approved congressional maps for the state on December 28, 2021. The Virginia Redistricting Commission released two statewide congressional map proposals on October 14, 2021, and another on October 15, 2021. After the commission missed its deadline for approving map proposals and the Virginia Supreme Court assumed authority over the process, the two special masters selected by the court released proposals for congressional districts on December 8, 2021.

How does redistricting in Virginia work? On November 3, 2020, Virginia voters approved a constitutional amendment establishing a commission-driven congressional and state legislative redistricting process. The 16-member commission comprises eight legislators and eight non-legislator members. Leaders of the legislature's two largest political parties select legislators to serve on the commission. The commission's eight citizen members are recommended by legislative leaders and selected by a committee of five retired circuit court judges. The commissioners themselves select one of the eight citizens to serve as chairperson.

District maps are subject to the following consensus requirements:

• Congressional maps: Approval by 12 commissioners, including six legislators and six non-legislators.
• Virginia State Senate: Approval by 12 commissioners, including six legislators (with three state senators) and six non-legislators.
• Virginia House of Delegates: Approval by 12 commissioners, including six legislators (with three state delegates) and six non-legislators.

The commission submits its maps to the General Assembly, which can vote to approve the maps or reject them. The General Assembly cannot amend the maps. If the General Assembly rejects a map, the commission must draft a second map. If the General Assembly rejects that map, the Virginia Supreme Court is tasked with enacting a new map.

2020

2024

2010-2011

This is the 4th Congressional District of Virginia after the 2001 redistricting process.

See also: Redistricting in Virginia after the 2010 census

In 2011, the Virginia State Legislature re-drew the congressional districts based on updated population information from the 2010 census.

District analysis

See also: The Cook Political Report's Partisan Voter Index

See also: FiveThirtyEight's elasticity scores

2026

Heading into the 2026 elections, based on results from the 2024 and 2020 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district is D+17. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 17 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made Virginia's 4th the 82nd most Democratic district nationally.

2024

Heading into the 2024 elections, based on results from the 2020 and 2016 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was D+16. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 16 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made Virginia's 4th the 88th most Democratic district nationally.

Daily Kos calculated what the results of the 2020 presidential election in this district would have been following redistricting. Joe Biden (D) would have defeated Donald Trump (R) 67.2%-31.5%.

2022

Heading into the 2022 elections, based on results from the 2020 and 2016 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was D+16. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 16 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made Virginia's 4th the 86th most Democratic district nationally.

Daily Kos calculated what the results of the 2020 presidential election in this district would have been following redistricting. Joe Biden (D) would have received 67.2% of the vote in this district and Donald Trump (R) would have received 31.5%.

2018

Heading into the 2018 elections, based on results from the 2016 and 2012 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was D+10. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 10 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made Virginia's 4th Congressional District the 121st most Democratic nationally.

FiveThirtyEight's September 2018 elasticity score for states and congressional districts measured "how sensitive it is to changes in the national political environment." This district's elasticity score was 1.03. This means that for every 1 point the national political mood moved toward a party, the district was expected to move 1.03 points toward that party.

See also

• Redistricting in Virginia
• Virginia's 4th Congressional District election, 2024
• Virginia's 4th Congressional District election, 2022
• Virginia's 4th Congressional District election, 2020
• Virginia's 4th Congressional District election, 2018

External links

• GovTrack District 4

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

James Walkinshaw (D)

Democratic Party (8)

Republican Party (5)