See here for a press release from the DCCC regarding the “First Round of Candidates Named to Coveted 2026 ‘Red to Blue’ Program.” Here in Virginia, those candidates include former Rep. Elaine Luria (D-VA02) and Shannon Taylor, who’s been running in VA01 to take on Rep. Rob Wittman (R-VA01), although Taylor recently announced “her intention to run for Congress in Virginia’s newly proposed 5th Congressional District upon passage of new maps.” Confusing? Well, yeah, actually…it really is, especially since we don’t even know for sure at this point whether or not the redistricting amendment will withstand court scrutiny AND be approved by voters on April 21. So…stay tuned, I guess; never a dull moment in Virginia politics! LOL
“VA-01 – Shannon Taylor
As Henrico’s top prosecutor, Shannon Taylor has made it her mission to protect and defend Virginia families. With a 90% conviction rate in homicide cases, Shannon has a record of holding accountable anyone who tries to harm her community. A native of Charlottesville and graduate of the University of Virginia and the University of Richmond Law School, she began her career as a prosecutor in Richmond before serving as a Special Assistant in the U.S. Attorney’s office. In 2011, she flipped the Henrico Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office from Republican to Democrat, becoming the first woman elected to the role and the first Democrat in nearly 40 years. She has since been reelected three times, proving she knows how to win tough races. Now Shannon is continuing her mission to defend Virginians, this time taking on nearly 20-year incumbent Rob Wittman who has exploded his personal net worth while in office and left hardworking Virginians behind.
VA-02 – Elaine Luria
Elaine Luria knows what service looks like. At only 17 years old, Elaine wanted to be a part of something bigger than herself so she joined the Navy, where she served for 20 years as a Surface Warfare Officer and nuclear engineer. Before retiring as a Commander, Elaine deployed six times to the Middle East and Western Pacific serving on destroyers, carriers, and ultimately as the Commanding Officer of a combat-ready unit of 400 sailors. Elaine continued her service in Congress representing Coastal Virginia for four years, where she passed legislation to provide three cost-of-living increases for our veterans, lower health care and prescription drug costs, and led the most significant expansion of veterans’ health care in our lifetime — the PACT Act. Now, Elaine is answering the call to serve once again because Jen Kiggans has repeatedly broken her promises to Virginians and put her party bosses over the veterans and hardworking families she swore she would protect. “
Also, here’s a press release from the Shannon Taylor for Congress campaign:
Shannon Taylor Added to DCCC’s Coveted ‘Red to Blue’ Program
Shannon will flip VA-01 blue and help take back the House majority
HENRICO, VA — Today, Henrico’s top prosecutor and candidate for Congress, Shannon Taylor, announced that she has been added to the first round of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s (DCCC) highly competitive ‘Red to Blue’ program. This competitive designation signals that the DCCC is invested in providing Shannon, a top-tier candidate, with the support needed to continue building a winning campaign as she runs for Virginia’s 1st Congressional District.
“Shannon Taylor is a battle-tested prosecutor whose north star is protecting Virginians against anyone who harms her community. That’s why she’s taking on Rob Wittman. Virginians deserve a leader who will fight for them – that’s what Shannon has done in the courtroom, and it’s what she’ll do in Congress,” said DCCC Chair Rep. Suzan DelBene.
“I’ve spent my career protecting our communities and holding people accountable — and I’m running for Congress to bring that same focus to Washington,” said Shannon Taylor. “Families in Virginia’s First District are getting crushed by rising costs and skyrocketing health care bills, and they deserve a representative who fights for them, not a nearly 20-year incumbent who keeps looking out for himself and Washington insiders. This is yet another sign of our growing momentum — and it means we’re building the resources we need to flip VA-01 and deliver real results for Virginia families.”
Both non-partisan elections race raters Cook Political Report and Inside Elections recently shifted their ratings in Taylor’s direction, specifically citing the strength of her candidacy and the fact that Governor Spanberger carried the 1st District during her statewide victory.
About Shannon
Shannon Taylor is a battle-tested prosecutor with 25 years of experience and a 90% conviction rate in homicide cases, taking on the toughest threats to Virginia families and delivering justice. A native of Charlottesville and graduate of the University of Virginia and the University of Richmond Law School, she began her career as a prosecutor in Richmond before serving as a Special Assistant in the U.S. Attorney’s office. In 2011, she flipped the Henrico Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office from Republican to Democrat, becoming the first woman elected to the role. She has since been re-elected three times, proving she knows how to win tough races.
As Commonwealth’s Attorney, Taylor has pioneered programs to support victims of human trafficking, created a task force to tackle the opioid epidemic, and led prosecutors statewide in pledging not to criminalize women or doctors for abortion care. She has worked alongside law enforcement to keep families safe, fought fraud that harms working people, and partnered with gun safety advocates to take illegal guns off the streets.
Shannon Taylor has built her career on protecting Virginians and delivering justice for families regardless of their politics.
For more on Shannon Taylor’s campaign, visit ShannonTaylorVA.com.
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Press release from the DCCC:
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Press release from the Luria for Congress campaign:
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[UPDATED 5:50 pm 2/24]
Democratic Candidates Call for Open Primaries and Voter-Led Nominations
Leaders across the country warn that state and national Democratic Party intervention undermines trust, grassroots energy, and democratic legitimacy
On February 23rd, the Democratic Party’s campaign arm – the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) – announced its first wave of candidates selected for its “Red to Blue” program. According to the DCCC, these candidates will receive strategic guidance, staffing resources, training, and fundraising support to strengthen their general election prospects.
But such early institutional backing also carries significant influence in the primary process — often shaping fundraising pipelines, access, and perceived viability before voters have had the opportunity to evaluate the full field. Across the country, Democratic candidates are raising concerns about a growing pattern of early intervention in primary elections from the DCCC — a trend they say risks weakening voter trust and diminishing the role of voters in selecting their own nominees.
In multiple states and districts, party leadership has signaled preferred candidates well before voters have had the opportunity to evaluate the full field. Through early infrastructure support, fundraising advantages, and institutional backing, these actions show that outcomes are being shaped before ballots are cast.
“Primaries are not an inconvenience; they are the foundation of democratic legitimacy,” said a coalition of candidates aligned on the issue. “Constituents deserve the opportunity to compare ideas, hear open debate, and decide for themselves who will represent them rather than being told who to vote for.”
Candidates emphasize that their concern is not opposition to party infrastructure or general election strategy. Rather, they argue that legitimacy in the primary depends on fairness and openness in the months prior.
“You cannot argue that democracy is on the ballot in November while narrowing democracy in the primaries from now through August,” the coalition states. “If a candidate is strong, they should be able to earn support in open competition. Protecting them from competition is not confidence.”
Over the past decade, many Democratic voters have expressed frustration with what they perceived as insider-driven decision-making. Candidates calling for reform say restoring confidence begins with reaffirming a simple principle: trust voters.
“Parties play an important role in building infrastructure and supporting nominees, but voters must choose those nominees freely. Open primaries, transparent processes, and robust debate are not obstacles to victory — they are the path to it. The Democratic Party will be strongest when voters, not insiders, choose its nominees.”
Coalition of Candidates:
Iman Bah, AZ-06
Travis Terrell, IA-01
Xavier Carrigan, IA-03
Diop Harris, MI-04
Zelda Briarwood, NC-11
Dr. Richard Hudspeth, NC-11
Paul Maddox, NC-11
Dr. Joyce E. Neal, TN-05
Dr. Jim Torino, TN-05
Elizabeth Dempsey Beggs, VA-01
Salaam Bhatti, VA-01
Lewis Littlepage, VA-01
Mel Tull, VA-01
Dr. Nila Devanath, VA-02
Patrick Mosolf, VA-02
Matt Strickler, VA-02
Emily Berge, WI-03