David Bulova

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David Bulova
Virginia Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources
Tenure
2026 - Present
Years in position
0
Predecessor: Stefanie Taillon (Nonpartisan)
Prior offices:
Virginia House of Delegates District 11
Years in office: 2024 - 2026
Predecessor: Sam Rasoul (D)
Successor: Gretchen Bulova (D)

Virginia House of Delegates District 37
Years in office: 2006 - 2024
Successor: Terry Austin (R)
Elections and appointments
Last election
November 4, 2025
Appointed
December 11, 2025
Education
Bachelor's
College of William and Mary, 1991
Graduate
Virginia Tech, 1996
Personal
Religion
Christian: Catholic
Profession
Senior Planner
Contact

David Bulova is the Virginia Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources. He assumed office on January 17, 2026.

Bulova (Democratic Party) ran for re-election to the Virginia House of Delegates to represent District 11. He won in the general election on November 4, 2025.

Abigail Spanberger (D) appointed Bulova Virginia Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources on December 11, 2025, to replace Stefanie Taillon (Nonpartisan).[1]

Biography

Bulova earned his B.A. in government from the College of William and Mary in 1991 and his M.P.A. from Virginia Tech in 1996.

Bulova's professional experience includes working as a senior planner for AMEC Earth & Environmental Incorporated. He has also been division director and environmental planner for the Northern Virginia Regional Commission. He has sat on the board of the Center for Watershed Protection, Brain Injury Services, Incorporated, and has been co-chair of Middleridge National Night Out.[2]

Elections

2025

See also: Virginia House of Delegates elections, 2025

General election

General election for Virginia House of Delegates District 11

Incumbent David Bulova defeated Adam Wise and Brandon Givens in the general election for Virginia House of Delegates District 11 on November 4, 2025.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of David Bulova
David Bulova (D)
 
72.5
 
23,402
Image of Adam Wise
Adam Wise (R)
 
25.4
 
8,193
Image of Brandon Givens
Brandon Givens (Forward Party) Candidate Connection
 
1.9
 
620
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.2
 
60

Total votes: 32,275
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent David Bulova advanced from the Democratic primary for Virginia House of Delegates District 11.

Republican primary election

The Republican primary election was canceled. Adam Wise advanced from the Republican primary for Virginia House of Delegates District 11.

Campaign finance

Endorsements

Bulova received the following endorsements.

2023

See also: Virginia House of Delegates elections, 2023

General election

General election for Virginia House of Delegates District 11

Incumbent David Bulova defeated Almira Mohammed in the general election for Virginia House of Delegates District 11 on November 7, 2023.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of David Bulova
David Bulova (D)
 
70.6
 
15,863
Image of Almira Mohammed
Almira Mohammed (R) Candidate Connection
 
29.1
 
6,530
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.3
 
73

Total votes: 22,466
Candidate Connection = 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.

Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent David Bulova advanced from the Democratic primary for Virginia House of Delegates District 11.

Republican primary election

The Republican primary election was canceled. Almira Mohammed advanced from the Republican primary for Virginia House of Delegates District 11.

Endorsements

Bulova received the following endorsements.

2021

See also: Virginia House of Delegates elections, 2021

General election

General election for Virginia House of Delegates District 37

Incumbent David Bulova defeated Kenneth Meteiver in the general election for Virginia House of Delegates District 37 on November 2, 2021.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of David Bulova
David Bulova (D)
 
66.8
 
18,750
Kenneth Meteiver (R)
 
33.1
 
9,291
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.2
 
47

Total votes: 28,088
Candidate Connection = 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.

Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent David Bulova advanced from the Democratic primary for Virginia House of Delegates District 37.

Republican convention

Republican convention for Virginia House of Delegates District 37

Kenneth Meteiver advanced from the Republican convention for Virginia House of Delegates District 37 on May 1, 2021.


Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Campaign finance

2019

See also: Virginia House of Delegates elections, 2019

General election

General election for Virginia House of Delegates District 37

Incumbent David Bulova won election in the general election for Virginia House of Delegates District 37 on November 5, 2019.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of David Bulova
David Bulova (D)
 
91.9
 
14,279
 Other/Write-in votes
 
8.1
 
1,260

Total votes: 15,539
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2017

See also: Virginia House of Delegates elections, 2017

General election

Elections for the Virginia House of Delegates took place in 2017. All 100 house seats were up for election. The general election took place on November 7, 2017. A primary election took place on June 13, 2017. The filing deadline for primary election candidates was March 30, 2017. The filing deadline for non-party candidates and candidates nominated by methods other than a primary was June 13, 2017.[3] Incumbent David Bulova (D) ran unopposed in the Virginia House of Delegates District 37 general election.[4]

Virginia House of Delegates, District 37 General Election, 2017
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.png David Bulova Incumbent (unopposed) 100.00% 18,877
Total Votes 18,877
Source: Virginia Department of Elections

Democratic primary election

Incumbent David Bulova ran unopposed in the Virginia House of Delegates District 37 Democratic primary.[5]

Ballotpedia will publish vote totals here after they become available.
Virginia House of Delegates, District 37 Democratic Primary, 2017
Candidate
Green check mark transparent.png David Bulova Incumbent

Republican primary election

No Republican candidate filed to run for this seat. [6]

Ballotpedia will publish vote totals here after they become available.
Virginia House of Delegates, District 37 Republican Primary, 2017
Candidate

Endorsements

In 2017, Bulova’s endorsements included the following:

  • NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia[7]

2015

See also: Virginia House of Delegates elections, 2015

Elections for the Virginia House of Delegates took place in 2015. A primary election was held on June 9, 2015. The general election took place on November 3, 2015. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 26, 2015.[8] Incumbent David Bulova was unopposed in the Democratic primary. Sang Yi was unopposed in the Republican primary. Bulova defeated Yi in the general election.[9][10]

Virginia House of Delegates, District 37 General Election, 2015
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngDavid Bulova Incumbent 57.4% 7,065
     Republican Sang Yi 42.6% 5,249
Total Votes 12,314

2013

See also: Virginia House of Delegates elections, 2013

Bulova won re-election in the 2013 election for Virginia House of Delegates District 37. Bulova ran unopposed in the June 11th Democratic Primary. He defeated Patrice Winter (R) in the general election on November 5, 2013.[11]

Virginia House of Delegates, District 37 General Election, 2013
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngDavid Bulova Incumbent 60.9% 11,526
     Republican Patrice Winter 38.9% 7,353
     Other Write-in 0.2% 37
Total Votes 18,916

Race snapshot

See also: 2013 Elections Preview: Some seats may switch parties in the Virginia House of Delegates

Incumbent David Bulova (D) defeated a Republican lobbyist opponent in 2011 with almost 60 percent of the vote, but observers thought that Winter, a former Fairfax City Council member and a professor, might have made this seat competitive in 2013. President Barack Obama (D) won 60 percent of the vote in this district in 2012, but Governor Bob McDonnell (R) won this district with 53 percent of the vote in 2009, which was a year when Bulova faced only minor-party opposition.[12][13]

2011

See also: Virginia House of Delegates elections, 2011

On November 8, 2011, Bulova won re-election to District 37 of the Virginia House of Delegates. He was uncontested in the August 23 primary and defeated Brian Schoeneman (R) in the November 8 general election.[14]

Virginia House of Delegates, District 37 General Election, 2011
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngDavid Bulova Incumbent 59.6% 7,021
     Republican Brian Schoeneman 40.4% 4,752
Total Votes 11,773

2009

See also: Virginia House of Delegates elections, 2009

In 2009, Bulova was re-elected to the Virginia House of Delegates. He defeated Christopher Declaro and Anna Choi in the General Election.[15]

Virginia House of Delegates General Election, District 37 (2009)
Candidates Votes
Green check mark transparent.png David Bulova (D) 12,209
Christopher Decarlo (I) 4,471
Anna Choi (I) 1,245

Campaign themes

2025

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

David Bulova did not complete Ballotpedia's 2025 Candidate Connection survey.

2023

David Bulova did not complete Ballotpedia's 2023 Candidate Connection survey.

2021

David Bulova did not complete Ballotpedia's 2021 Candidate Connection survey.

2019

David Bulova did not complete Ballotpedia's 2019 Candidate Connection survey.

2017

As of August 2017, Bulova's campaign website highlighted the following issues:[16]

Fiscal Responsibility

The General Assembly has an obligation to use your tax dollars wisely and efficiently. Virginia has a AAA bond rating because of our reputation for fiscal responsibility. It is critical for Virginia to continue this tradition. I am proud that Virginia’s Constitution requires a balanced budget and that the General Assembly has worked together in a bi-partisan manner to do this in a fiscally responsible manner.

As a member of the House of Delegates, I have supported several initiatives to streamline the delivery of services. In 2010, I spearheaded successful legislation (HB208) that eliminated a half-dozen outdated or redundant school reporting requirements to ensure that funding goes where it belongs — in our classrooms. In 2011, I voted for successful legislation that established the state-wide Office of the Inspector General (HB2076) to investigate allegations of fraud, waste, and abuse. In 2012, I supported and was appointed to the conference committee for HB1295, which eliminated several outdated mandates on local government and regional government entities. Also in 2012, I sponsored successful legislation (HB1164) that eliminated redundant review of many local road projects — a practice that had resulted in significant delays of much needed local improvements.

Transportation

Traffic congestion threatens our economy and our quality of life. As the parent of three children, I know the frustration of being late for that important recital or evening sports practice. I have consistently supported common-sense measures to provide much needed transportation funding for the Northern Virginia region. In 2013, I supported the comprehensive transportation package that passed the General Assembly on a bi-partisan basis. This package resulted in substantial new revenue that is going toward our region’s most pressing and aggravating problems. In 2016, I introduced several pieces of legislation regarding the Governor's plan to toll I-66 inside and outside of the Beltway. I successfully passed HB407 to ensure that HOV-2 could not be converted to HOV-3 for the purpose of tolling. I was also part of a group of legislators that brokered a deal to widen I-66 inside the Beltway from the Dulles Connector to Ballston.

In addition, I will continue to advocate for changes in the way that transportation funding is distributed to make it more equitable for Northern Virginia. I spearheaded efforts to change the transportation maintenance formula (HBs 389, 6011, 1993, 1491, and 477) and in 2013 co-patroned legislation to provide Northern Virginia with more representation on the Commonwealth Transportation Board (HB864). Getting our fair share will continue to be one of my top priorities.

Additional priorities include:

  • Increase our investment in transportation technology, including telework, “smart highways,” and better synchronization of our traffic lights.
  • Help get people out of their cars by making strategic investments in bike paths and walking trails.
  • Expand Metro to Centreville and beyond and adequately fund both Metro and the Virginia Railway Express.

Education

As the proud parent of three children who attend Fairfax County Public Schools, I know first hand the importance of quality public education. As a member of the Education Reform Subcommittee, I have worked closely on efforts to reform our Standards of Learning and was a co-patron of legislation creating the Standards of Learning Reform Committee. I was proud to accept the Virginia Education Association’s “Solid as a Rock for Public Education Award” for my efforts on the House Education Committee in 2017. Over the years, I have introduced successful legislation to promote career and technical education opportunities (HB1552) and strengthen the process for dealing with teachers accused of sexually assaulting a student. I have also co-sponsored legislation (HB 1871) to enhance efforts to fight bullying in our schools.

As your delegate, my priorities include:

  • Keep class size low in order to maximize the ability of teachers to provide individualized attention to students.
  • Retain and recruit highly qualified teachers and support staff.
  • Provide students with modern educational facilities that maximize the use of technology.
  • Promote parental involvement in our schools as a key component to learning.
  • Continually look for opportunities to streamline operations and assess the effectiveness of existing programs.
  • Revise the State’s Composite Index so that our schools get a fair share of funding. Fairfax County currently received only 32% of its base-funding from the State, while the City of Fairfax only receives 20%.

Jobs and Economic Growth

While there are signs of improvement, much more needs to be done to reduce unemployment and spark economic growth. This requires investing in our transportation infrastructure and education, fostering an environment that rewards creativity and innovation, and reducing regulatory burdens to starting and running a business. In particular, Virginia needs to increase investments in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) and our community college system. We also need to reform and streamline our tax system while ensuring that sufficient revenue is generated at the state and local levels to provide needed services. I was a co-patron of the Virginia Growth and Opportunity Act (HB834) and supported the formation of the Virginia International Trade Corporation (HB858). In 2017, I was proud to receive the Excellence in Education and Workforce Development Award from the Virginia Chamber of Commerce for my efforts in career and technical education.

Ethics Reform/Open and Accountable Government

In 2015, I introduced aggressive legislation (HB1667) on ethics reform, including a hard cap of $100 per year on all gifts. My bill was rolled into HB2070, which was signed by the Governor. While I will continue to press for stronger legislation, this effort moves Virginia in the right direction.

As your voice in Richmond, I am accountable to you for my votes and strive to make government more open and accessible. Open and accountable government starts right here at home. Each year I hold a town hall meeting during session, mail constituents a Report from Richmond to summarize issues tackled by the General Assembly, conduct a Constituent Survey, and host a series of “informal office hours” where residents can stop by to chat and provide feedback on community issues. Each spring I also send a letter to all community/civic association presidents offering to speak at meetings and attend community events.

Finally, I believe that voters should choose their representatives – not the other way around. Our current system of redistricting results in too many non-competitive districts that are drawn for political purposes. I have supported numerous efforts to establish a non-partisan Virginia Advisory Redistricting Commission. While these measures failed, I will continue to be a strong advocate for this very important electoral reform. [17]

2013

Bulova’s website highlighted the following campaign themes:[18]

  • Fiscal Responsibility

Excerpt: "I have supported several initiatives to streamline the delivery of services. In 2010, I spearheaded successful legislation (HB 208) that eliminated a half-dozen outdated or redundant school reporting requirements to ensure that funding goes where it belongs — in our classrooms. In 2012, I supported and was appointed to the conference committee for HB 1295, which eliminated several outdated mandates on local government and regional government entities."

  • Transportation

Excerpt: "...I will continue to advocate for changes in the way that transportation funding is distributed to make it more equitable for Northern Virginia. I spearheaded efforts to change the transportation maintenance formula (HBs 389, 6011, 1993, 1491, and 477) and in 2013 co-patroned legislation to provide Northern Virginia with more representation on the Commonwealth Transportation Board (HB 864). Getting our fair share will continue to be one of my top priorities."

  • Education

Excerpt: "This year I introduced legislation (HB1674) to provide our localities with more flexibility to innovate while maintaining high standards of accountability. I also spoke on the House Floor against attempts by the Governor to take away education funding for Northern Virginia that recognizes that our cost of living is by far the highest in the state."

  • Jobs and Economic Growth

Excerpt: "While there are signs of improvement, much more needs to be done to reduce unemployment and spark economic growth. This requires investing in our transportation infrastructure and education, fostering an environment that rewards creativity and innovation, and reducing regulatory burdens to starting and running a business. In particular, Virginia needs to increase investments in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) and our community college system. We also need to reform and streamline our tax system while ensuring that sufficient revenue is generated at the state and local levels to provide needed services."

  • Energy

Excerpt: "Whether you are concerned about the impacts of climate change or the threat to national security posed by our dependence on foreign energy sources, sustainable energy is one of our nation’s greatest challenges. In 2011, I introduced successful legislation that will position Virginia to be a leader in the area of electric plug-in vehicles by eliminating regulatory hurdles that would stifle entrepreneurialism (HB 2105)."

2011

Bulova's website highlighted the following campaign themes:

  • Transportation

Excerpt: "In addition to new construction, we must adequately maintain our existing infrastructure. The current funding formula not only under-funds maintenance, it is also unfair to Northern Virginia."

  • Energy

Excerpt: "I successfully passed HB 1994 to increase Virginia’s renewable energy goal to 15% by the year 2025. This legislation, and others like it, will protect consumers in the long-run from volatile energy prices caused by our reliance on fossil fuels."

  • Illegal immigration

Excerpt: "I have consistently supported common-sense measures to strengthen penalties against businesses that knowingly violate our immigration laws and to ensure that our State agencies are sharing information on immigration status."

2007

Bulova's answers to the Virginia State Legislative Election 2007 National Political Awareness Test are available. He did not answer the question asking his top priorities.[19]

Campaign finance summary


Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.


David Bulova campaign contribution history
YearOfficeStatusContributionsExpenditures
2023Virginia House of Delegates District 11Won general$304,112 $347,290
2021Virginia House of Delegates District 37Won general$354,695 $279,751
2019Virginia House of Delegates District 37Won general$184,936 N/A**
2017Virginia House of Delegates District 37Won general$125,981 N/A**
Grand total$969,724 $627,041
Sources: OpenSecretsFederal Election Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only available data.

State legislative tenure

Scorecards

See also: State legislative scorecards, State legislative scorecards in Virginia

A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.

Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.

Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.

Below you can find the scorecards found for the Virginia General Assembly in 2025.

Below you can find the scorecards found for the Virginia General Assembly in 2024.

Below you can find the scorecards found for the Virginia General Assembly in 2023.

Below you can find the scorecards found for the Virginia General Assembly in 2022.

Below you can find the scorecards found for the Virginia General Assembly in 2021.

Below you can find the scorecards found for the Virginia General Assembly in 2020.

Below you can find the scorecards found for the Virginia General Assembly in 2019.

Below you can find the scorecards found for the Virginia General Assembly in 2018.

Below you can find the scorecards found for the Virginia General Assembly in 2017.

Below you can find the scorecards found for the Virginia General Assembly in 2016.

Below you can find the scorecards found for the Virginia General Assembly in 2015.

Below you can find the scorecards found for the Virginia General Assembly in 2014.

Below you can find the scorecards found for the Virginia General Assembly in 2013.

Below you can find the scorecards found for the Virginia General Assembly in 2012.

The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.

Committee assignments

2025-2026

Bulova was assigned to the following committees:

2023-2024

Bulova was assigned to the following committees:

2020-2021

Bulova was assigned to the following committees:

2019-2020

Bulova was assigned to the following committees:

2016 legislative session

At the beginning of the 2016 legislative session, Bulova served on the following committees:

Virginia committee assignments, 2016
Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
Education
General laws

2015 legislative session

In the 2015 legislative session, Bulova served on the following committees:

2014 legislative session

In the 2014 legislative session, Bulova served on the following committees:

2012-2013

In the 2012-2013 legislative session, Bulova served on the following committees:

2010-2011

In the 2010-2011 legislative session, Bulova served on the following committees:

See also

Virginia State Executive Elections News and Analysis
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State government trifectas
State of the state addresses
Partisan composition of governors

External links

Footnotes

  1. FFX Now, “Delegate Bulova to resign, accept appointment by incoming Gov. Spanberger" accessed February 13, 2026
  2. Project Vote Smart, "Biography," accessed May 28, 2014
  3. Virginia Department of Elections, "Candidacy Requirements for the November 7, 2017 General Election," accessed March 21, 2017
  4. Virginia Department of Elections, "2017 November General Unofficial Results," accessed November 7, 2017
  5. Virginia Department of Elections, "2017 June Democratic Primary," accessed July 6, 2017
  6. Virginia Department of Elections, "2017 June Republican Primary," accessed July 6, 2017
  7. NARAL, "2017 Endorsed House Candidates," accessed August 31, 2017
  8. Virginia State Board of Elections, "2015 November Election Calendar," accessed January 2, 2015
  9. Virginia Board of Elections, "2015 Primary election results," accessed September 1, 2015
  10. Virginia Board of Elections, "2015 General election candidates," accessed September 1, 2015
  11. Virginia Board of Elections, “Official Results - 2013 General Election," accessed December 2, 2013
  12. University of Virginia Center for Politics, Sabato's Crystal Ball, "Republicans Certain to Retain Control of Virginia House of Delegates," August 8, 2013
  13. VPAP, "House of Delegates District 37," accessed October 3, 2013
  14. Virginia State Board of Elections, "November 2011 General Election Official Results," accessed May 15, 2014
  15. Follow the Money, "Virginia House of Delegates 2009 General Election Results," accessed May 15, 2014
  16. davidbulova.com, "Issues," accessed August 18, 2017
  17. Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
  18. Delegate David Bulova, "Issues," accessed August 30, 2013
  19. Project Vote Smart, "Issue Positions," accessed May 28, 2014

Political offices
Preceded by
Stefanie Taillon
Virginia Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources
2026-Present
Succeeded by
-
Preceded by
Sam Rasoul (D)
Virginia House of Delegates District 11
2024-2026
Succeeded by
Gretchen Bulova (D)
Preceded by
-
Virginia House of Delegates District 37
2006-2024
Succeeded by
Terry Austin (R)