With mere days to campaign, voters will have only one chance to hear from those seeking the Democratic nod in the race to succeed David Bulova in the House of Delegates before heading to the polls Tuesday (Dec. 16).
Mackenzie’s Tunes and Tonics in Fairfax City (3950 University Drive, Suite 210) will host a candidate forum from 2-4 p.m. today (Sunday) featuring the five candidates seeking the Democratic Party’s nomination, party officials announced.
Bulova, a 19-year veteran of the House of Delegates, resigned Friday (Dec. 12) as delegate from Virginia’s 11th District — which includes Fairfax City and parts of Oakton and Fair Oaks. He will join the cabinet of Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger when she is sworn in next month.
Following House Speaker Don Scott set the special election to succeed Bulova for Jan. 13 — the day before the start of the 2026 legislative session. Local party committees must determine their nominees for the seat by Dec. 17.
“We look forward to an informative campaign that will give voters in the district a chance to vote for whom they wish to see representing them in the General Assembly, and then we must all unite in support of the eventual Democratic nominee, whoever it may be,” Susan Weltz, chair of the 11th House District Democratic Committee, said Friday.
Who’s on the ballot?
Five candidates have qualified to appear on the ballot, according to Fairfax County Democratic Committee chair Aaron Yohai:
- So Lim, former Fairfax City Councilmember
- Vanessa Cardenas, executive director of America’s Voice
- Gretchen Bulova, chair of the Fairfax County 250th Commission and the county’s History Commission
- Douglas Shuster, president of the Miller Heights Neighborhood Association
- Denver Supinger, former chief of staff to Del. Karrie Delaney (D-9)
How will the primary work?
The 11th House District Democratic Committee has scheduled a firehouse primary to select its nominee for Tuesday. Votes will be cast in person from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at three locations:
- Fairfax County Government Center (12000 Government Center Parkway)
- Fairfax Presbyterian Church (10723 Main Street, Fairfax)
- Jim Scott Community Center (3001 Vaden Drive, Fairfax)
All registered voters in the 11th District can participate at any location, and people who are eligible to vote but not registered can fill out an application on-site, enabling them to cast a provisional ballot. Everyone will be expected to sign a declaration indicating they support the Democratic Party.
There’s no early or absentee voting, given the primary’s short window, but curbside voting will be available.
