Home 2026 Elections There Are Now Two Dems – Amanda Pohl and Lisa Vedernikova Khanna –...

There Are Now Two Dems – Amanda Pohl and Lisa Vedernikova Khanna – Who Have Announced Campaigns to Take on the Abysmal Rep. Rob Wittman (R-VA01)

Wittman is on the DCCC's list for Rs who need to be defeated in November 2026

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lowkell
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There are now two Democrats (see below for press releases from Lisa Vedernikova Khanna and Amanda Pohl) who have announced that they’re running to take on the abysmal, pathetic, disgrace of a Congressman, Rob Wittman (R), in VA01. Let’s hope we get a super-strong nominee and beat this guy in November 2026! (note: VA01 is a red-leaning district, but the DCCC has identified Wittman as one of its targets for defeat in the midterms…pledging to “ensure Virginia voters know of these vulnerable Republicans’ continued embrace of Elon Musk’s extremism and their party’s dangerously far-right agenda that’s raising costs, destroying jobs, eroding Virginians’ freedoms, and hurting our country’s future.”)

Community Advocate and Business Leader Lisa Vedernikova Khanna Announces Run for Congress in Virginia’s First District

Lisa Is a First-Generation American Raised by a Single Mother, Fighting to Defend the American Dream

MIDLOTHIAN, VA — Today, Democrat Lisa Vedernikova Khanna announced her candidacy to flip Virginia’s 1st Congressional District, one of the most competitive seats in the country. Lisa was raised by a single mother who fled the Soviet Union in search of freedom and opportunity. She grew up facing eviction, bankruptcy, and relying on food assistance programs to get by. While her mother went without healthcare, Lisa only had it because of Medicaid. With the help of strong public schools, a relentless work ethic, and a community that never gave up on them, Lisa worked her way out of poverty and into a successful career in business.

Lisa Vedernikova Khanna, candidate for Virginia’s first congressional district, has released the following statement about her campaign launch:

“I believe in the American Dream because I’ve lived it. My mom came to America from Soviet Russia with nothing but a suitcase and a hope for freedom and stability. Thanks to her sacrifice and the opportunity this country provides, I was able to attend college and build a successful career.

But today, those same opportunities that helped me achieve my dreams are under attack. Too many politicians are kicking the ladder out from under hardworking Americans who are barely getting by. I know how hard families are working because I’ve lived it. I’ve worked since I was 13. Medicaid meant I had health care. Food assistance programs provided school lunch. Like thousands of people in central and eastern Virginia, I depended on those lifelines.

That’s why I’m stepping up. The stakes have never been higher. We need a new generation of leaders who don’t just talk about opportunity, but who knows what it’s like to fight for it. I will never apologize for demanding better. And I won’t stop until families like mine get the fair shot they deserve.”

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About Lisa:

Lisa Vedernikova Khanna is the living embodiment of the American Dream. Lisa was raised by an undocumented immigrant, small business owner, single mom, who fled the Soviet Union in pursuit of the freedom that only America could provide.

Life in America wasn’t easy for Lisa or her mom. They were evicted when Lisa was five. She didn’t learn English until she was six. Lisa had to file bankruptcy for her mom when she was a teenager. Lisa relied on free school lunches to get by. But they both worked hard to make it in America. Lisa’s mom worked as a nanny and housekeeper, eventually starting her own housekeeping business. Lisa helped her mom as a housekeeper and by age 13, Lisa was holding down three jobs.

When Lisa was finally able to channel everything into just one career, she took off with roles spanning public service, media, and tech. Throughout this work Lisa learned how to navigate complex, high-intensity, challenges and lead teams toward shared goals.

In Virginia, Lisa and her husband, Harry, have remained deeply involved in their community. Lisa has served on the board of Chesterfield CASA, advocating for abused and neglected children; led revitalization efforts through the Church Hill Association in Richmond; and served as President of the Metro Richmond Area Young Democrats, helping organize and empower the next generation of Democratic leaders.

About VA-01:

VA-01 has been trending Democratic for years and is now one of the most competitive Republican-held districts in the country. Cook Political rates the district as R+3, and it is on both the DCCC and House Majority PAC’s battlefield for the 2026 cycle. While most districts shifted right at the presidential level in 2024 – VA-01 was one of the few competitive districts where Democrats did better in 2024 than we did four years earlier.

Learn more at lvk.vote

Chesterfield County Circuit Court Clerk Amanda Pohl  Launches Campaign for Congress in Virginia’s First District

Countywide-Elected Democrat and Lifelong Virginian running to replace Rob Wittman in VA-01

Pohl launches campaign with show of force, securing key local endorsements out of the gate

CHESTERFIELD, VA — Today, Democratic Chesterfield County Circuit Court Clerk Amanda Pohl officially announced her candidacy for Congress in Virginia’s First District.

Pohl, a lifelong Virginian, was a community leader and social worker before flipping the Chesterfield County Circuit Court Clerk seat blue. She has led efforts for modernizing services and increasing accessibility for one of the busiest circuit court clerk’s offices in Virginia. Day one endorsers include: President Pro Tempore Senator Louise Lucas, Senator Angelia Williams Graves, Delegate Mike Jones, Delegate Bonita Anthony, Chesterfield Supervisor Jim Holland, Williamsburg-James City County School Board Member Randy Riffle, Chesterfield Commissioner of the Revenue Jenefer Hughes, Chesterfield Soil and Water Board Member Laura Thompson, and Civil Rights Leader Clarence Dunnaville.

“I am running to serve in Congress now because when I look at my son and my daughter, I know I want them to live in a country where they have real economic opportunity, to buy a house one day, to afford to live on a full-time salary and work one job, to have clean air to breathe and water to drink, to know that they are getting a high quality education in a safe school, and to have access to life-saving healthcare – including reproductive healthcare,” said Amanda Pohl.

“Right now, we have a congressman serving Musk and Trump, not us. Rob Wittman is actively harming our district and willing to sell us out by cutting staff at the VA, refusing to stand up for federal workers who have been laid off, and voting to take away healthcare for tens of thousands in our community. We need a strong Democratic candidate to stand up to Rob Wittman — and my record proves that I will not back down from a fight.”

Amanda Pohl is a lifelong Virginia resident who has dedicated her career to serving Virginians. Pohl holds a B.A. from Virginia Tech, a Masters of Social Work and a Masters of Science in Patient Counseling from Virginia Commonwealth University, and a Masters of Divinity with a focus on Pastoral Counseling from Baptist Theological Seminary of Richmond. She has served in leadership roles at several well-respected Virginia nonprofits, led national progressive organizations, founded and led the Blue United PAC to support candidates up and down the ballot, and is a lifetime member of the Chesterfield NAACP.

Joining Amanda in her run for Congress are A|L Media, Moore Campaigns, GBAO, Jones Mandel, and DemsGive.org.

For more information about Amanda Pohl and her campaign for Congress, visit pohlforcongress.com

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