2026 Catholic Voter Guide

Virginia

Where the candidates stand on the issues Pope Leo XIV has raised, in their own words and votes. Every position links to its source.

Election Day · Tuesday, Nov. 3
Step 1
Check or update your registration
Register →
Vote by mail
Request or track a mail ballot
Absentee →
On Election Day
Find your polling place
Look it up →
Beat the line
Vote early
Early voting →

Early in-person voting for the Nov. 3 election began Sept. 18 and ends Oct. 31; voters must vote early in the locality where they are registered. Official source ↗

How to use this guide. For each race, open an issue to see what Pope Leo XIV has taught and what each candidate has said or done, side by side. Where a candidate has served in office, we add their recorded votes on the same key bills for everyone in that chamber, linked to the official roll call. We summarize; we do not score or endorse. Candidates are listed alphabetically. Where we could not find a public position, we say so. Click any bracketed source to read it yourself. New to Catholic voting principles? Start with our national guide to Faithful Citizenship.
Virginia · 2026

U.S. House, District 1

Virginia voters approved a new congressional map in April 2026, but the state Supreme Court struck it down, so the existing district lines are in use. Incumbent Rob Wittman (R) is seeking a 10th full term.

Download printable PDF ↓
Shannon Taylor
Democrat · Challenger
Henrico County Commonwealth’s Attorney since 2012.
Campaign website ↗
Rob Wittman
Republican · Incumbent
U.S. Representative since 2007; former state delegate and health department scientist.
Campaign website ↗
War & PeaceIran, Gaza, Ukraine, war powers›
Pope Leo XIVLeo invited citizens of every country involved in the war with Iran to contact their leaders and members of Congress “to work for peace and to reject war and violence.”Remarks at Castel Gandolfo, Apr. 7, 2026 (Vatican News via The Good Newsroom)
Shannon Taylor
Says she will work to rein in “reckless tariffs and endless wars” that raise prices.
[1] Taylor campaign: Priorities
Rob Wittman
Voted against Iran war powers resolutions in March, June and September 2026 and against the Ukraine Support Act (2026).
[1] House roll call 85 (2026): Iran war powers resolution[2] House roll call 199 (2026): Iran war powers resolution[3] House roll call 307 (2026): Iran war powers resolution[4] House roll call 207 (2026): Ukraine Support Act
Voting record
AI & the Dignity of WorkAI rules, unions, workers displaced by automation›
Pope Leo XIV“No one can be reduced to productivity, to cognitive performance, or to mere data.”Magnifica Humanitas presentation, May 25, 2026
Shannon Taylor
Has called for legislation requiring that new data-center construction not raise families’ energy costs.
[1] Taylor campaign: Priorities
Rob Wittman
Voted against the Faster Labor Contracts Act (2026) and the Protect America’s Workforce Act (2025).
[1] House roll call 216 (2026): Faster Labor Contracts Act[2] House roll call 332 (2025): Protect America’s Workforce Act
Voting record
The Poor & the Safety NetMedicaid, SNAP, health care, wages›
Pope Leo XIVThe preferential choice for the poor is “a source of extraordinary renewal both for the Church and for society.”Dilexi Te, Oct. 4, 2025
Shannon Taylor
Pledges to restore the expired enhanced ACA subsidies and rural-hospital funding, make medical billing transparent and expand Medicare drug-price negotiation.
[1] Ballotpedia: Shannon Taylor survey[2] Taylor campaign: Priorities
Rob Wittman
Voted for the 2025 reconciliation law; voted for a three-year extension of enhanced ACA premium tax credits (2026). Has long opposed the ACA and voted to repeal it.
[1] House roll call 190 (2025): One Big Beautiful Bill Act[2] House roll call 11 (2026): H.R. 1834 (ACA subsidy discharge bill)[3] Prince William Times: Wittman town hall
Voting record
Life of the UnbornAbortion, IVF, assisted suicide›
Pope Leo XIVAbortion “cuts short a growing life and refuses to welcome the gift of life.”Address to the Diplomatic Corps, Jan. 9, 2026
Shannon Taylor
Campaign says that after Roe was overturned she was “one of the first prosecutors in the country to defend the right for Virginia women to have the freedom to access abortion care.”
[1] Taylor campaign website
Rob Wittman
Voted for the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act (2025) and the Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act (2026).
[1] House roll call 27 (2025): Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act[2] House roll call 37 (2026): Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act
Voting record
The Death PenaltyCapital punishment›
Pope Leo XIVSomeone who opposes abortion but favors the death penalty “is not really pro-life.”AP via PBS NewsHour, Sept. 30, 2025
Shannon Taylor
No public position found.
Rob Wittman
No public position found.
Immigrants & RefugeesDeportations, enforcement, asylum, citizenship›
Pope Leo XIV“Defending human life also includes welcoming, protecting and assisting immigrants.”Letter on the 250th Anniversary of the United States, June 25, 2026
Shannon Taylor
No public position found.
Rob Wittman
Voted for the Laken Riley Act (2025) and against the Haiti TPS bill (2026).
[1] House roll call 6 (2025): Laken Riley Act[2] House roll call 120 (2026): Haiti TPS designation bill
Voting record
Religious Liberty & EducationConscience, school choice, Catholic schools and charities›
Pope Leo XIVReligious freedom is “the right of every person to worship according to conscience.”Letter on the 250th Anniversary of the United States, June 25, 2026
Shannon Taylor
No public position found.
Rob Wittman
No campaign statement found. See voting record below.
Voting record
Care for CreationClimate, energy, environment›
Pope Leo XIV“We cannot love God, whom we cannot see, while despising his creatures.”AP, Oct. 1, 2025
Shannon Taylor
Says she has consistently opposed proposed utility rate hikes and will invest in energy and infrastructure.
[1] Taylor campaign: Priorities
Rob Wittman
Authored Chesapeake Bay restoration legislation that passed the House; voted to overturn California’s vehicle-emissions waiver (2025).
[1] Wittman release: Chesapeake Bay bill (archived)[2] House roll call 111 (2025): H.J.Res. 87, disapproving EPA California vehicle waiver
Voting record
Virginia · 2026

U.S. House, District 2

Virginia voters approved a new congressional map in April 2026, but the state Supreme Court struck it down, so the existing district lines are in use. Rematch: incumbent Jen Kiggans (R) unseated Elaine Luria (D) in 2022.

Download printable PDF ↓
Jen Kiggans
Republican · Incumbent
U.S. Representative since 2023; nurse practitioner and Navy veteran.
Campaign website ↗
Elaine Luria
Democrat · Challenger
Former U.S. Representative (2019–2023) and retired Navy commander.
Campaign website ↗
War & PeaceIran, Gaza, Ukraine, war powers›
Pope Leo XIVLeo invited citizens of every country involved in the war with Iran to contact their leaders and members of Congress “to work for peace and to reject war and violence.”Remarks at Castel Gandolfo, Apr. 7, 2026 (Vatican News via The Good Newsroom)
Jen Kiggans
Supports the 2026 Iran war, citing goals of destroying Iran’s missile, naval and nuclear capabilities; voted against Iran war powers resolutions. Voted for the Ukraine Support Act (2026).
[1] Virginia Mercury: Kiggans on Iran war[2] 13News Now: Virginia lawmakers on Iran[3] House roll call 199 (2026): Iran war powers resolution[4] House roll call 207 (2026): Ukraine Support Act
Voting record
Elaine Luria
Calls the Iran war “another unnecessary and endless military intervention in the Middle East”; describes herself as an “unabashed supporter” of the U.S.-Israel relationship.
[1] Luria campaign: Issues[2] Haaretz: Luria on Israel
Record in office
AI & the Dignity of WorkAI rules, unions, workers displaced by automation›
Pope Leo XIV“No one can be reduced to productivity, to cognitive performance, or to mere data.”Magnifica Humanitas presentation, May 25, 2026
Jen Kiggans
Voted against the Faster Labor Contracts Act (2026) and the Protect America’s Workforce Act (2025).
[1] House roll call 216 (2026): Faster Labor Contracts Act[2] House roll call 332 (2025): Protect America’s Workforce Act
Voting record
Elaine Luria
No campaign statement found. See voting record below.
Record in office
The Poor & the Safety NetMedicaid, SNAP, health care, wages›
Pope Leo XIVThe preferential choice for the poor is “a source of extraordinary renewal both for the Church and for society.”Dilexi Te, Oct. 4, 2025
Jen Kiggans
Voted for the 2025 reconciliation law. Co-led a bipartisan framework to extend ACA premium tax credits but voted against the three-year extension bill (2026).
[1] House roll call 190 (2025): One Big Beautiful Bill Act[2] Kiggans campaign: Issues[3] House roll call 11 (2026): H.R. 1834 (ACA subsidy discharge bill)
Voting record
Elaine Luria
Criticizes the 2025 reconciliation law’s SNAP and Medicaid changes and calls for restoring the Medicaid funding it cut.
[1] Luria campaign: Issues
Record in office
Life of the UnbornAbortion, IVF, assisted suicide›
Pope Leo XIVAbortion “cuts short a growing life and refuses to welcome the gift of life.”Address to the Diplomatic Corps, Jan. 9, 2026
Jen Kiggans
Says abortion law should be set by the states and has signaled support for a 15-week limit with exceptions; voted for the Born-Alive Act (2025). Supports access to contraception and IVF.
[1] Kiggans campaign: Issues[2] VPM: Hampton Roads races[3] House roll call 27 (2025): Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act
Voting record
Elaine Luria
Says she voted in Congress to codify Roe v. Wade and will fight to “enshrine the right to choose into federal law.”
[1] Ballotpedia: Elaine Luria (campaign website)
Record in office
The Death PenaltyCapital punishment›
Pope Leo XIVSomeone who opposes abortion but favors the death penalty “is not really pro-life.”AP via PBS NewsHour, Sept. 30, 2025
Jen Kiggans
No public position found.
Elaine Luria
No public position found.
Immigrants & RefugeesDeportations, enforcement, asylum, citizenship›
Pope Leo XIV“Defending human life also includes welcoming, protecting and assisting immigrants.”Letter on the 250th Anniversary of the United States, June 25, 2026
Jen Kiggans
Supports President Trump’s border-security efforts and cites her votes for border funding; voted for the Laken Riley Act (2025) and against the Haiti TPS bill (2026).
[1] Kiggans campaign: Issues[2] House roll call 6 (2025): Laken Riley Act[3] House roll call 120 (2026): Haiti TPS designation bill
Voting record
Elaine Luria
Supported border-security efforts while “providing a pathway to citizenship for those who follow our nation’s laws.”
[1] Luria campaign: Issues
Record in office
Religious Liberty & EducationConscience, school choice, Catholic schools and charities›
Pope Leo XIVReligious freedom is “the right of every person to worship according to conscience.”Letter on the 250th Anniversary of the United States, June 25, 2026
Jen Kiggans
Campaign calls her “a staunch advocate for school choice” and cites her vote for the Parents Bill of Rights.
[1] Kiggans campaign: Issues
Voting record
Elaine Luria
No campaign statement found. See voting record below.
Record in office
Care for CreationClimate, energy, environment›
Pope Leo XIV“We cannot love God, whom we cannot see, while despising his creatures.”AP, Oct. 1, 2025
Jen Kiggans
Voted to overturn California’s vehicle-emissions waiver (2025) and for the 2025 reconciliation law, which phased out many clean-energy tax credits.
[1] House roll call 111 (2025): H.J.Res. 87, disapproving EPA California vehicle waiver[2] House roll call 190 (2025): One Big Beautiful Bill Act
Voting record
Elaine Luria
Founded the bipartisan Offshore Wind Caucus; pledges to combat climate change’s local impact, oppose offshore drilling and restore the Chesapeake Bay.
[1] Luria campaign: Issues
Record in office
Virginia · 2026

U.S. House, District 7

Virginia voters approved a new congressional map in April 2026, but the state Supreme Court struck it down, so the existing district lines are in use. Incumbent Eugene Vindman (D) seeks a second term. Independents Alaha Ahrar, Joshua Ertle and Randall Terry and Libertarian Taner Lopez are also on the ballot.

Download printable PDF ↓
Doug Ollivant
Republican · Challenger
Army combat veteran and former National Security Council director for Iraq.
Campaign website ↗
Eugene Vindman
Democrat · Incumbent
U.S. Representative since 2025; retired Army lieutenant colonel and former NSC lawyer.
Campaign website ↗
War & PeaceIran, Gaza, Ukraine, war powers›
Pope Leo XIVLeo invited citizens of every country involved in the war with Iran to contact their leaders and members of Congress “to work for peace and to reject war and violence.”Remarks at Castel Gandolfo, Apr. 7, 2026 (Vatican News via The Good Newsroom)
Doug Ollivant
Advocates “peace through strength” and a foreign policy that “defends our borders, increases global stability.”
[1] Ollivant campaign: Issues
Eugene Vindman
Says the Iran war has “no legal justification under domestic or international law” and voted for war powers resolutions; voted for the Ukraine Support Act (2026).
[1] Virginia Mercury: Virginia lawmakers on Iran[2] House roll call 85 (2026): Iran war powers resolution[3] House roll call 207 (2026): Ukraine Support Act
Voting record
AI & the Dignity of WorkAI rules, unions, workers displaced by automation›
Pope Leo XIV“No one can be reduced to productivity, to cognitive performance, or to mere data.”Magnifica Humanitas presentation, May 25, 2026
Doug Ollivant
No public position found.
Eugene Vindman
Says data centers must “pay their fair share” and supports AI guardrails that “safeguard workers”; voted for the Faster Labor Contracts Act (2026).
[1] Vindman campaign: Issues[2] House roll call 216 (2026): Faster Labor Contracts Act
Voting record
The Poor & the Safety NetMedicaid, SNAP, health care, wages›
Pope Leo XIVThe preferential choice for the poor is “a source of extraordinary renewal both for the Church and for society.”Dilexi Te, Oct. 4, 2025
Doug Ollivant
No public position found.
Eugene Vindman
Pledges to oppose cuts to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid and to strengthen the ACA; voted against the 2025 reconciliation law and for extending enhanced ACA subsidies (2026).
[1] Vindman campaign: Issues[2] House roll call 190 (2025): One Big Beautiful Bill Act[3] House roll call 11 (2026): H.R. 1834 (ACA subsidy discharge bill)
Voting record
Life of the UnbornAbortion, IVF, assisted suicide›
Pope Leo XIVAbortion “cuts short a growing life and refuses to welcome the gift of life.”Address to the Diplomatic Corps, Jan. 9, 2026
Doug Ollivant
No public position found.
Eugene Vindman
Sponsors legislation to restore abortion access nationwide and says he will vote against any ban on abortion, IVF or contraceptives; voted against the Born-Alive Act (2025).
[1] Vindman campaign: Issues[2] House roll call 27 (2025): Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act
Voting record
The Death PenaltyCapital punishment›
Pope Leo XIVSomeone who opposes abortion but favors the death penalty “is not really pro-life.”AP via PBS NewsHour, Sept. 30, 2025
Doug Ollivant
No public position found.
Eugene Vindman
No public position found.
Immigrants & RefugeesDeportations, enforcement, asylum, citizenship›
Pope Leo XIV“Defending human life also includes welcoming, protecting and assisting immigrants.”Letter on the 250th Anniversary of the United States, June 25, 2026
Doug Ollivant
Supports “strong enforcement of our immigration laws to stop unlawful entry” and treating fentanyl trafficking as a national-security emergency.
[1] Ollivant campaign: Issues
Eugene Vindman
A former refugee, he says the U.S. can “secure our border while still leading with decency”; voted against the House Laken Riley Act but for the final version (2025).
[1] Vindman campaign: Issues[2] House roll call 6 (2025): Laken Riley Act[3] House roll call 23 (2025): Laken Riley Act final passage
Voting record
Religious Liberty & EducationConscience, school choice, Catholic schools and charities›
Pope Leo XIVReligious freedom is “the right of every person to worship according to conscience.”Letter on the 250th Anniversary of the United States, June 25, 2026
Doug Ollivant
No public position found.
Eugene Vindman
No campaign statement found. See voting record below.
Voting record
Care for CreationClimate, energy, environment›
Pope Leo XIV“We cannot love God, whom we cannot see, while despising his creatures.”AP, Oct. 1, 2025
Doug Ollivant
Supports an “all-of-the-above” energy approach centered on small modular nuclear reactors and natural gas, plus wind, solar and carbon capture; wants to protect the Rappahannock River.
[1] Ollivant campaign: Issues
Eugene Vindman
Calls confronting climate change “a moral responsibility”; supports clean-energy investment and transitioning away from fossil fuels. Voted against overturning California’s vehicle-emissions waiver (2025).
[1] Vindman campaign: Issues[2] House roll call 111 (2025): H.J.Res. 87, disapproving EPA California vehicle waiver
Voting record
Free or Paid · Direct to Your Inbox

Follow the election with Letters from Leo

The most-read Substack on Pope Leo XIV and American politics. Subscribe here without leaving the page.

← All state voter guides