RICHMOND, Va. — Democratic candidates for the Virginia House of Delegates more than doubled their Republican counterparts in fundraising over the last two months, bolstering their efforts to flip control of the narrowly divided chamber this November. Democrats currently have a 51-49 majority.
From April 1 through June 5, Democratic House candidates raised a combined $4.6 million, compared to $2.1 million for Republicans, according to campaign finance reports filed this week.
The fundraising advantage is particularly pronounced in some of the state’s most competitive districts — many of which were decided by razor-thin margins in 2023 and are once again shaping up to be major battlegrounds.
In House District 82, where Republican Del. Kim Taylor won reelection last year by just 53 votes, Democratic challenger Kim Pope Adams is outraising the incumbent ahead of a rematch. Pope Adams raised $262,048 and reported $289,468 cash on hand, while Taylor raised $64,489 and has $34,502 on hand.
Another 2023 rematch is underway in House District 41, where Republican Del. Chris Obenshain defeated Democrat Lily Franklin by fewer than 200 votes. Franklin raised $189,078 over the last two months and has $298,517 in the bank, compared to Obenshain’s $75,362 raised and $94,354 on hand.
In Virginia Beach’s House District 97, Democrats are defending a seat won in 2023 by Del. Michael Feggans. Feggans brought in $146,987 and has $88,426 on hand. While two Republicans are vying for their party’s nomination, former Del. Tim Anderson is the only one actively fundraising. Anderson raised $52,010 and has $60,989 in cash on hand. His primary opponent, Christina Felder, reported having raised just $2,234 and having $331 on hand.
Republicans are also eyeing pickups in House District 65, where Democratic Del. Josh Cole won by six points in 2023. Cole raised $142,032 and has $161,253 in cash on hand. His Republican challenger, Sean Steinway, reported raising just $3,603 and having $38,299 in the bank.
In House District 84, Del. Nadarius Clark is another Democratic incumbent facing Republican efforts to flip the seat. Clark raised $67,837 and has $62,468 on hand. His Republican opponent, Felisha Storm, brought in $24,437 and reported $24,794 in cash on hand.
Democrats are also targeting Republican-held seats in districts where incumbents have stronger cash reserves but face well-funded challengers.
In House District 75, Republican Del. Carrie Coyner, who won by six points in 2023, reported $69,056 raised and $315,350 on hand. Three Democrats are running to challenge her. Lindsey Doughtery leads the field with $171,695 raised and $55,838 on hand. Dustin Wade, who loaned his campaign $100,000, has the most cash on hand at $156,735. Stephen Miller Pitts raised $4,471 and reported $3,944 on hand.
In House District 57, Republicans are defending another tight district won by two points in 2023. GOP Del. David Owen raised $90,674 and has $172,361 on hand. Democratic challenger May Nivar raised $99,292 and has $82,643 cash on hand, while fellow Democrat Andrew Schear raised $3,970 and has $5,169 cash on hand.
And in House District 73, Republican Del. Mark Earley Jr., who won his seat by nine points, raised $42,691 and has $85,947 cash on hand. Democrat Leslie Mehta raised $87,906 and reported $43,294 in cash on hand.
With control of the General Assembly and all three statewide offices up for grabs, both parties are treating November’s elections as an early referendum on national politics — and a preview of voter energy heading into 2026. In Virginia, Democrats flipped 15 House seats and swept all three statewide races in 2017, the year after Donald Trump’s election. They’re hoping for a repeat performance this fall.