Republican Stewart Whitson and Democrat James Walkinshaw are turning up the heat in the special election to fill Virginia’s 11th Congressional District.
After June’s “firehouse primaries” both nominees have hit the campaign trail sharing their vision for both the district and the country.
Walkinshaw was hand-picked by former Rep. Gerry Connolly as his successor. Connolly served the district from 2009 until his death in May, kicking off the special election. Walkinshaw has also served as a County Supervisor.
Connolly’s endorsement prior to his death held sway over Democrat voters in the crowded 10-person primary. “I was a big supporter of Connolly, and that’s what he supported,” said one primary voter.
While Walkinshaw sports credentials as a Congressional aide, Republican Whitson is no political novice. Whitson is a former FBI Supervisory Special Agent and Army veteran who was awarded a Bronze Star and led more than 300 combat missions. He is a lawyer and who serves as Senior Director of Federal Affairs at the Foundation for Government Accountability.
Democrats wasted no time framing the election as a referendum on Donald Trump. Congressman and vocal advocate for Ukraine funding Eugene Vindman described Walkinshaw as the best candidate to “hit the ground running against trump’s agenda Day One.”
Walkinshaw has repeatedly referred to Whitson as a “MAGA Candidate.” (RELATED: Spanberger: Police Immigration Enforcement “A Distraction of Resources”)
Whitson said Virginia voters are ready for Republican leadership because the Republicans are talking about kitchen table issues that they say “people actually care about.”
“They’re ready for lower taxes, affordable groceries, and safer communities, and they’re tired of wasteful spending,” Whitson said.
This is the first time in 15 years that the seat has not been held by a Democrat incumbent and Republicans see an opportunity to challenge progressive ideas rather than an entrenched political machine.In an interview with Larry O’Connor, Whitson has challenged Walkinshaw to a debate, even offering to have a left-wing moderator. Walkinshaw has not responded to the challenge. (RELATED: Virginia Candidates Rush to Tie Opponents to National Figures)