Virginia’s primary elections have solidified the Commonwealth’s congressional and Senate matchups for November, with two prominent Alexandria-area Democrats, U.S. Rep. Don Beyer and U.S. Sen. Mark Warner, emerging in strong positions as the general election campaign begins.
Sen Mark Warner
Beyer, who represents Virginia’s 8th Congressional District, won the Democratic primary on Tuesday, defeating four challengers and securing the nomination for what could be his seventh term in the U.S. House of Representatives. The district includes Alexandria, Arlington, Falls Church and portions of Fairfax County.
The Associated Press called the race shortly after polls closed, reflecting Beyer’s commanding lead across the district. According to unofficial results, he captured roughly two-thirds of the vote districtwide, comfortably ahead of former Alexandria City Council member Mo Seifeldein and the other contenders.
For Alexandria residents, the outcome reinforces the city’s continuing influence in Northern Virginia politics. Beyer, who lives in Alexandria and has represented the district since 2015, carried the city while emphasizing issues including housing affordability, climate policy, healthcare and oversight of artificial intelligence.
Meanwhile, Sen. Mark Warner avoided the turbulence of a contested primary, running unopposed for the Democratic nomination in Virginia’s U.S. Senate race. Warner, seeking a fourth term, now advances to a November contest against Republican nominee Bert Mizusawa, a retired Army major general who won the GOP primary.
The results underscore Alexandria’s prominence in Virginia politics. Beyer remains one of the region’s most established congressional figures, while Warner continues as one of the state’s best-known Democrats after more than a decade in the Senate. Their victories in the primary season leave both positioned as key players in Virginia’s November elections.
With the primaries concluded, attention now turns to the general election, where Beyer will face Republican Tony Sabio in the 8th District and Warner will square off against Mizusawa in a race that could help shape the balance of power in Washington. Sabio secured the Republican nomination unopposed after the GOP primary for District 8 was canceled.
Early voting opens on Friday, Sept. 18.