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2026 candidates we're tracking in VA-3
Robert C. "Bobby" Scott
Top priorities
- Authored legislation to gradually raise the federal minimum wage to $17 an hour and sponsored the PRO Act to strengthen union organizing rights
- Lead author of the Every Student Succeeds Act and sponsor of the Post-9/11 GI Bill's education benefit expansion
- Supports making college more affordable through his College Affordability Act
Per the campaign site.
About Robert C. "Bobby" Scott
Scott has represented Virginia's 3rd Congressional District since 1993 and serves as Ranking Member of the House Education and the Workforce Committee, per the campaign site. He grew up in Newport News and has focused his career on service to the Hampton Roads community, per the campaign site.
Edwin Rivera, Jr.
Top priorities
- Education reform
- Public safety and support for veterans
- Protecting Social Security and expanding economic opportunity
Per the campaign site.
About Edwin Rivera, Jr.
Edwin Rivera Jr. is a U.S. Army veteran who served multiple combat tours in the Middle East and previously worked as a police officer in Puerto Rico, per his campaign site. He is the Republican nominee for Virginia's 3rd Congressional District, running against Democratic Rep. Bobby Scott, per Virginia Mercury.
Makiba A. Gaines
Top priorities
- Making everyday life more affordable
- Protecting Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security
- Reducing taxes and government waste
Per the campaign site.
About Makiba A. Gaines
Makiba Gaines is a civil rights attorney in solo practice in the Chesapeake area who previously served as a prosecutor in Portsmouth, per her campaign site. She is running as an independent congressional candidate.
Stephen C. Woll
Top priorities
- Independence from party and special-interest influence
- Evidence-based decision-making and cross-party collaboration
- Representation answerable to the district rather than donors or party leadership
Per the campaign site.
About Stephen C. Woll
Steve Woll is a Navy veteran who has spent more than 25 years in Hampton Roads applying science and technology to economic and strategic problems, per his campaign site. He is running as an independent for Virginia's 3rd Congressional District.
About this race
Virginia's 3rd Congressional District elects one member of the U.S. House of Representatives to a two-year term. Every House seat in the country is on the ballot in 2026. The Virginia primary is Tuesday, August 4, 2026, and the general election is Tuesday, November 3, 2026.