See below for a video feed of this afternoon’s one-and-only candidate forum for the HD11 Democrats’ “firehouse primary” being held on Tuesday. The candidates are Gretchen Bulova, Vanessa Cardenas, So Lim, Denver Supinger and Douglas M. Shuster. For more information on this special election, click here. A few key points: HD11 is a solidly blue district (66% Kamala Harris) in Fairfax City and Fairfax County, which has been represented in the Virginia House of Delegates since 2006 by David Bulova; the reason for this special election is that Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger appointed Bulova as the next VA Secretary of Natural & Historic Resources; Speaker Don Scott expeditiously called the special election for this seat for January 13, 2026, with the last day to file as a candidate this coming Wednesday, December 17 at 5 pm; the Democrats will select their nominee this Tuesday in a “firehouse primary” (for more info on that, see below). With that, check out the video of the forum!
- All candidates support the constitutional amendments on reproductive freedom, same-sex marriage, the new redistricting amendment (except for Shuster, who seemed to be open to it, but wouldn’t commit to voting for it at this time) and voting rights restoration for felons up on release from incarceration.
- Policy focus as delegate: Cardenas said we need to fight for workers, get rid of Virginia’s “right-to-work” laws, support more affordable housing. Bulova said she’s dedicated to our Democratic values, noted her experience with civics education and economic development related to tourism, said African-American history IS American history, that NoVA has been ground zero for DOGE. Shuster said he’s dedicated to improving people’s quality of life, that it’s important to listen to constituents, that he doesn’t have a complete platform right now, that he’s not an “activist with an agenda”, need to support immigrant communities, smart growth, find long-term politically sustainable solutions rather than “ramming things through”. Supinger talked about her work on legislation when she worked in the General Assembly, said we’re going to have a major budget shortfall and “we have some hard decisions to make”, need to keep workers in mind while doing so, strive for policies that encourage prosperity. Lim said we need to protect the middle class dream from slipping away, fight back against Trump; said she’s a business owner, “our diversity is our power,” “our competitive advantage.”
- Question about affordability, particularly related to housing. Bulova said Richmond needs to give localities the tools they need to expand affordable housing, keep those affected by Trump cuts in their homes. Shuster said the cost of living is a top issue, said he’s not an expert on the issue of affordable housing; we need to rationalize and right-size parking; $15/hour minimum wage; new rates specifically for data centers; also said he’s “very disappointed with this process” for the nomination and that “it can’t happen again” – makes people feel “disenfranchised”. Supinger said affordability starts with health; Medicaid work requirements are going to hurt people; medical debt is a huge problem; need investments to WMATA, affordable housing, more housing options. Lim said young people can’t afford to stay in the community and it breaks her heart, need more housing near transit, workforce housing incentives, build housing working families can afford, protect renters/tenants, mixed-use developments, walkable communities, etc. Said you have to be persistent, bring people together, keep working on this issue. Cardenas said she knows what it’s like to almost lose your home, that this is an “incredibly important issue,” need resources to help keep people in their homes, more affordable housing options, partnerships with business and faith communities.
- Question about bringing money to Fairfax public education. Shuster said Fairfax has excellent public schools and need to keep it that way. Supinger said Fairfax sends a lot more money to the rest of the Commonwealth than it gets back, and that has to stop; need to pay teachers and support staff; time to change the LCI. Lim said our schools are our strength, Trump’s attacking public education from Washington and Richmond’s been underfunding it for decades; NOVA shouldn’t have to subsidize the rest of Virginia with our tax dollars; needs to be a unified regional priority; “I stand with our teachers and families” and our “shared values.” “Teachers don’t need more mandates,” they need “more resources”; diversity is a strength. Cardenas said this is very personal to her, including with her own education and her kids; need to invest in public schools. Bulova said she’s passionate about public schools as a product of the Fairfax County Public Schools. Vital that Fairfax “gets its fair share of school funding” and “increase teacher pay”; Fairfax has been funding other parts of the Commonwealth and driving up the local tax burden; need high-quality daycare as well, so that parents can go to work.
- Question about proposed casino development. Supinger said “absolutely not!”; gambling is a regressive tax; need to create other opportunities elsewhere for workers; need to invest in our community. Lim said that State Senators who don’t represent Tysons shouldn’t dictate land use policy for the community; over 50,000 people have said no and “I listen to my constituents”; “we don’t need it, Tysons is already thriving”; need a smart, sustainable growth strategy; the only way this should move forward is with real community support, not legislators making deals behind closed doors. Cardenas said she’s opposed to the casino proposal, that voters should have a say, that there are more important issues we need to address than a casino, which the community doesn’t support. Bulova said no one asked for this, no one wants this and she is not in favor of it. Shuster said he opposes the casino, the vast majority of Tysons residents do NOT want this project.
- Closing statements. Lim thanked the Fairfax City and Fairfax County Democrats for working nonstop on this firehouse primary. Talked about her family coming from Korea with very little, this community giving them everything; now federal workers unders attack, housing becoming unaffordable, Richmond underfunding our schools, red tape choking small businesses, we pay our fair share and deserve our fair share back; ready to fight from day 1. Cardenas said she has a lot of respect for people who serve; said her north star is our American values and Virginia values; Democrats are not about the status quo, they’re about the future, and that’s what she wants to fight for. Bulova thanked the Fairfax County, Fairfax City and GMU Dems for working on this nomination process; said she grew up here, knows the community, has a record of effective leadership, has been fighting for over 30 years for our Democratic values, now have the opportunity to make real change and benefit the district, families, the schools, etc.; being a delegate is *teamwork*; pledges to “be your voice in Richmond”; “can hit the ground running on day 1 and be your effective voice”; lists off several of the major endorsements she’s received (e.g., from Rep. James Walkinshaw, Mayor Catherine Read, etc.). Shuster thanked the organizers; said many constituents feel disconnected from the government, pledges to be accessible; said he’s outspoken and “extremely persistent” about the things he cares about, and that will serve constituents well. Supinger said we have a Democratic trifecta and we should use that power for good – for caregivers, teachers, students, etc.; said she knows how to pass legislation; we lift from the bottom up.
P.S. According to organizer Laura Stokes, about 200 voters were in the audience for the forum.
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