Del. Dan Helmer, a Democrat who has represented southwestern Fairfax County in the House of Delegates since 2020, is once again running for Congress.
The 44-year-old announced his candidacy today (Wednesday) to represent the newly-drawn 7th Congressional District — a sprawling “lobster-shaped” district that includes Helmer’s Fairfax home while stretching east to Arlington County, west to Augusta County and south to Goochland County.
Fairfax County communities in the district include Fairfax Station, Annandale, Burke, West Springfield, West Falls Church and Pimmit Hills.
In a video announcing his candidacy, Helmer touted his success in the state General Assembly, painting himself as the candidate with a record of “eviscerating MAGA Republicans.”
“There are a lot of people who say they’re going to go to Washington and take on Donald Trump. I’ve done it — successfully,” Helmer said.
I've stood up to America's enemies overseas. I've fought Trump's MAGA agenda at home. I'm announcing my candidacy for VA-07 to take our battle to Washington. I'm proud to have been endorsed by dozens of Democrats – but the most important endorsement is yours. Hope you'll join us pic.twitter.com/Z78u2yL3FM
— Dan Helmer (@HelmerVA) February 18, 2026
Helmer, currently represents the 10th House District in his fourth term in the General Assembly, served as campaigns chair for the Virginia House Democratic Caucus last year, helping implement an aggressive strategy that ultimately bolstered the party’s majority in the chamber after the November general elections.
In his campaign announcement, Helmer noted his support for ending voluntary cooperation of local law enforcement agencies with federal immigration officials, as well as his introduction of a bill that would bar schools from teaching the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol as a “peaceful protest.”
“That’s because, as a veteran, I believe we should never be celebrating traitors,” he said.
Helmer, a U.S. Army veteran, has also been a consistent advocate for an assault weapons ban. He has authored legislation to install such a ban in each of the last two legislative sessions, though both bills were vetoed by Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin.
Helmer again introduced the bill earlier this year, hoping for a different outcome under Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger.
“After losing friends in Afghanistan and Iraq, I wrote and passed the first ever assault weapons ban to reach the governor’s desk because I don’t think our children should be afraid to go to school,” Helmer said.
Helmer has sought a seat in Congress twice before: in 2018, losing in a primary to Jennifer Wexton, and in 2024, coming in a close second in a primary to Suhas Subramanyam, who succeeded the retiring Wexton.
This time around, however, he could benefit from the endorsement of a broad slate of Democratic lawmakers, including U.S. Rep. Eugene Vindman.
“There is no one else I want by my side pushing back against Trump’s attempts to shred our Constitution,” Vindman said. “Dan is the proven anti-Trump democracy champion we need in Congress now, and I’m proud to endorse him on day one of this campaign.”
Helmer has also received the endorsement of more than half of the 85 Democrats serving in the General Assembly.
“Every time Trump has tried to strip rights from Virginians, Helmer has been there with legislation, with his voice, and with his vote,” state Sen. Stella Pekarsky (D-36), a former Fairfax County School Board member, said. “When the Trump Administration fired tens of thousands of our neighbors, Dan fought back. I can’t wait to have him in Congress.”
Helmer joins J.P. Cooney, an Arlington attorney who served as a top deputy for special counsel Jack Smith’s office during his investigations of Trump, as the only candidates who have entered the race so far.
Voters must first approve the proposed maps in a referendum scheduled for April 21. Primary elections are currently scheduled to be held on June 16.
