With Gov.-Elect Abigail Spanberger’s appointments of Del. Candi Mundon King as Secretary of the Commonwealth and Del. David Bulova as Secretary of Natural & Historic Resources, there are now vacancies for Democrats to fill in HD11 (66% Kamala Harris) and HD23 (66% Kamala Harris) – both solidly blue seats, one on Fairfax City/Fairfax County and the other in eastern Prince William/northern Stafford County. So, not surprisingly, Speaker Don Scott has expeditiously called special elections for both of those seats (see his writs, below), for January 13, 2026, with the last day to file as a candidate this coming Wednesday, December 17 at 5 pm. So…expect Democratic “firehouse primaries” coming up in the next few days. Also, see below for a few of the candidates who I’ve seen having announced so far…(Margaret Angela Franklin in HD23; Gretchen Bulova, Vanessa Cardenas, So Lim…and Denver Supinger in HD11).
As had been rumored, Del. David Bulova’s wife Gretchen will attempt to succeed him in the House of Delegates:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 12, 2025
FAIRFAX – Today, Gretchen Bulova, who has spent the last three decades volunteering in the Fairfax community, serving on a host of local committees and commissions, and helping to elect Democratic candidates, announced that she will seek the Democratic nomination for the 11th District in the Virginia House of Delegates. The vacancy is the result of the appointment of Delegate David Bulova to serve in the Spanberger Administration as the Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources. A firehouse primary to fill this seat will be held next Tuesday.
“I know first-hand how important the decisions made in Richmond are to our quality of life. I am proud that Democrats have fought for affordable housing,access to quality early childhood care and education, and investments in workforce development. As the mother of three wonderful children who attended Fairfax County Public Schools, I know the importance of investing in our public education. The elimination of programs and funding at the federal level hurt so many of our friends and neighbors and threatens the progress we have made together. I am ready to be a strong voice for the 11th District starting on day one.”
“With Trump in the White House and dismantling our government daily, the Virginia economy as well as families and businesses are at risk. We need a delegate who will fight to keep our democracy and democratic values.”
James Walkinshaw, Congressman, 11th District:
Gretchen currently serves as Chair of the Fairfax County History Commission and has been a commissioner since 2006. She also chairs the Fairfax250 Commission to commemorate the founding of the nation in 1776 and serves as the Governor’s appointed representative to the VA250 Commission. Gretchen has been an active member of the Braddock District Democratic Committee since 1993, serving as Finance Chair for several years. She served in leadership roles in both the Bonnie Brae PTO, as fundraising chair, and the Robinson PTSO, as legislative chair. In addition, she founded and chaired the Middleridge Civic Association National Night Out Against Crime for eight years, and led the 50th anniversary celebration for the Middleridge Civic Association in 2020. She served as Den Leader for Pack 41 and the Treasurer for Scout Troop 1865, where both of her sons achieved the rank of Eagle Scout.
Full list of endorsements:
- James Walkinshaw, Congressman 11th District
- Catherine Read, Mayor, City of Fairfax
- Jeff McKay, Chairman, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors
- Scott Surovell, Majority Leader, Senate of Virginia
- Dave Marsden, Virginia Senate, 35th District
- Sadam Salim, Virginia Senate, 37th District
- Rip Sullivan, Virginia House of Delegates, 6th District
- Dan Helmer, Virginia House of Delegates, 10th District
- David Bulova, Virginia House of Delegates, 11th District and Secretary Designate
- Laura Jane Cohen, Virginia House of Delegates, 15th District
- Marcus Simon, Virginia House of Delegates, 13th District
- Eileen Filler-Corn, Former Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates
- Stacey Kincaid, Fairfax County Sheriff
- Rachna Sizemore-Heizer, Braddock District Supervisor (Elect), Fairfax County Board of Supervisors
- Walter Alcorn, Hunter Mill District, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors
- Andres Jimenez, Mason District, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors
- Dalia Palchik, Providence District Supervisor, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors
- Sharon Bulova, Former Chairman, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors
- Bill Bates, City of Fairfax Council Member
- Michael Demarco, Former City of Fairfax Council Member
- Joe Harmon, Former City of Fairfax Council Member
- Janice Miller, Former City of Fairfax Council Member
- Jennifer Passey, Former City of Fairfax Council Member
- Tom Ross, Former City of Fairfax Council Member
- Marcia St. John-Cunning, Franconian District, Fairfax County School Board Member
- Robyn Lady, (Vice Chair) Dranesville District, Fairfax County School Board Member
- Karl Frisch, Providence District, Fairfax County School Board Member
- Sandy Anderson, (Chair) Springfield District, Fairfax County School Board Member
- Seema Dixit, Sully District, Fairfax County School Board Member
- Kyle McDaniels, At-Large, Fairfax County School Board Member
- Megan McLaughlin, Former Braddock District, Fairfax County School Board Member
- Carolyn Pitches, (Chair) City of Fairfax School Board
- Toby Sorensen, Former City of Fairfax School Board Member
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