Gretchen and David Bulova pose with Abigail Spanberger (center) during her election campaign in Fairfax.
Gretchen Bulova, director of the Office of Historic Alexandria, won the Democratic nomination for House of Delegates District 11 being vacated by her husband Delegate David Bulova, who has been nominated by Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger to serve as Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources.
Bulova secured 47.7 percent of votes with four opponents after some 1,188 votes were cast in the district, which encompasses some of Fairfax County and all of Fairfax City.
A special election for the 11th District seat is slated for Jan. 13, a day before Virginia lawmakers convene for the 2026 session. No Republican candidates have yet entered the race.
Bulova has been the director of the Office of Historic Alexandria since 2019 and is the current chairman of both the Fairfax County 250th Commission and the county’s History Commission.
“The decisions made in Richmond have an enormous impact on our quality of life,” she said. “I grew up in Fairfax and chose to raise my family here. I have dedicated my career to public service through my work as the Director of Historic Alexandria and my community activism in Democratic politics, social justice, scouting, PTO/PTSO, and various Fairfax County commissions.
“I am running for the 11th District House of Delegates seat to be a strong voice for our community and to ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive and succeed. I have a record of effective leadership, I know the district, and I’m ready to hit the ground running on day one.”
Former Alexandria City Councilwoman and Vice Mayor Amy Jackson said she was “incredibly excited” for the Bulovas and “thrilled to see Gretchen Bulova step up to run for the seat [her husband David] will vacate.”
Bulova ran against four other candidates: former Fairfax City Councilmember So Lim, America’s Voice Executive Director Vanessa Cardenas, Douglas Shuster, president of the Miller Heights Neighborhood Association; and Denver Supinger, Del. Karrie Delaney’s (D-9) former chief of staff.