FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: Tuesday, November 4, 2025
Contact: [email protected]

Run for Something Candidates Help Virginia Democrats Secure Majority in House of Delegates

VIRGINIA — Virginia voters made history on Tuesday, electing a new generation of young, diverse, and community-rooted leaders to the House of Delegates and proving that investing in local candidates drives statewide victories. Local and state legislative races — including the 19 candidates that Run for Something endorsed this year — drove energy across the ticket, helping to cement a Democratic trifecta in the state. This victory comes alongside a major statewide win, as Abigail Spanberger becomes the first woman ever elected governor of Virginia.

“These wins reaffirm voters’ undeniable appetite for change. It shows that when we put young, values-driven leaders on the ballot, voters respond — and we help deliver victories up and down the ballot,” said Amanda Litman, co-founder and President of Run for Something. “Our candidates didn’t just run strong campaigns; they built movements and infrastructure that will make a tangible difference in their communities for years to come.” 

 This year, young candidates running for school board, commissioner, and the House of Delegates built the local enthusiasm that helped fuel statewide energy, providing a preview of the political landscape heading into 2026. This surge of “reverse coattails” — the idea that Democrats who run for down-ballot seats, whether or not they win, help increase Democratic turnout that in turn helps elect Democrats at the top of the ticket — will be a key dynamic during the midterms. 

Run for Something’s strategy has long focused on the power of investing in local elections. Just a few weeks ago, RFS announced a new $50 million, five-year-long initiative to help Democrats build durable local power and prepare multiple paths to victory. The idea is simple: Young, local candidates don’t just benefit from the top of the ticket; they drive turnout that helps Democrats win up and down the ballot. This year, Virginia once again proved that theory true.

Run for Something had 223 local and state legislative candidates on the ballot on Tuesday, spanning 23 states. Our endorsed candidates included renters displaced by skyrocketing rents, federal workers laid off from their jobs, union leaders, young parents, and countless others who know firsthand the struggles their communities face. All of these candidates are 40 or under, and many were first-time office seekers. These leaders organized in red, blue, and purple states alike, helping to build a durable Democratic infrastructure that will carry into 2026 and beyond.

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Run for Something (RFS) recruits and supports young progressive candidates for down-ballot offices. Since its founding, RFS has helped elect nearly 1,500 candidates across the country, including 18 candidates in red-to-blue seats in the 2024 election cycle. Today, RFS has the largest database of any other Democratic organization, with over 70,000 people reaching out since November with interest in running for office.