U.S. House, Virginia 1st Congressional District · November 3, 2026
Who should I vote for in Virginia's 1st Congressional District?
Rob Wittman has the strongest record in Virginia's 1st Congressional District. Rob Wittman scores 64 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of Shannon Taylor at 60, as of October 5, 2026. Rob Wittman's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Shannon Taylor's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
Democratic
Shannon Taylor
On the ballot as Shannon L. Taylor
60 / 100
Public evidence on 10 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 70
- Performance
- 50
Republican · incumbent
Strongest record
Rob Wittman
On the ballot as Robert J. "Rob" Wittman
64 / 100
Public evidence on 14 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 40
- Qualifications
- 75
- Performance
- 81
The good, the bad and the unresolved
The record
The notable facts of each candidate's public life, each tied to a source and confirmed to be this person. Unresolved matters are labeled with where they stand and do not move a score.
Shannon Taylor
- On the record2026-09-10
Her 2026 ad says Morrissey went to jail after her office sought indictments; on Sept. 10, 2026 Morrissey said those indictments were dismissed and he entered an Alford plea to a lesser charge.
Source: USA Today Network (Progress-Index), Sept. 10, 2026, Yahoo copy
- On the record2023-03 to 2024-11
Announced in March 2023 an investigation of Irvo Otieno's treatment in the Henrico jail before his March 6, 2023 death; in November 2024 said "we'll never know" whether crimes occurred there.
Sources: WRIC, March 2023, WTVR, Nov. 11, 2024
- On the record2020-06
In June 2020 announced a new deputy commonwealth's attorney position for police integrity and compliance with a public hotline for complaints about police encounters.
Source: WRIC, June 2020
- On the record2013-11-19
Asked a judge in November 2013 to appoint a special prosecutor in the investigation of then-Delegate Joseph Morrissey; in 2016 she announced no charges in a separate matter, calling his conduct unethical.
Sources: NBC12, Nov. 19, 2013, WRIC, 2016
- Credit2026-08-31
Recused her office on Aug. 31, 2026 from the investigation of a 9-year-old's drowning at a SwimRVA camp after learning one of her attorneys was a paid SwimRVA employee; the Chesterfield prosecutor was appointed.
Source: WRIC, Aug. 31, 2026
- Credit2024
Served by court appointment as special prosecutor in an Albemarle County case against a participant in the 2017 torch march at the University of Virginia, after the local prosecutor's office was removed for a conflict.
Sources: Daily Progress (Richmond Times-Dispatch report), June 18, 2024, Courthouse News Service, April 2025
- Credit2020-06 to 2021-02
Her office charged Harry Rogers after he drove into protesters in Henrico on June 7, 2020; he pleaded guilty in August 2020 and was sentenced on Feb. 9, 2021 to three years and eight months.
Sources: NBC News, June 8, 2020, WTVR (Associated Press), WRIC, Feb. 9, 2021
- Credit2011-11-08
Won the Nov. 8, 2011 election for Henrico County Commonwealth's Attorney in a three-way race reported as an upset, and took office in January 2012.
Rob Wittman
- Mark against2023-08-13 and 2023-09-30
Filed periodic transaction reports on Aug. 13 and Sept. 30, 2023 disclosing 2022 and 2023 stock trades after the 45-day STOCK Act deadline; his office attributed the delay to his accountant, whom he replaced.
Sources: House Clerk periodic transaction report, Filing ID 20023474, House Clerk periodic transaction report, Filing ID 20023757, Washington Examiner, Aug. 16, 2023, WAVY Truth Tracker, Oct. 1, 2026, Campaign site, Get The Facts
- Mark against2022-11-21
The FEC assessed a $7,170 administrative fine on Rob Wittman for Congress for 2022 48-hour notification violations; the finding was upheld Nov. 21, 2022 and the fine paid Nov. 23, 2022.
Source: FEC Administrative Fine 4395
- On the record2025-02 to 2025-04
In 2025 constituents held town halls in his absence in Henrico and packed a Midlothian mobile office hours meeting; he cited telephone town halls, saying one reached about 9,000 people.
Sources: Virginia Mercury, April 26, 2025 (Yahoo copy), WTVR, Feb. 26, 2025
- On the record2020-12 to 2021-01
Signed the December 2020 House members' amicus brief supporting Texas v. Pennsylvania, voted Nay on the Jan. 6, 2021 Arizona objection and Yea on the Jan. 7, 2021 Pennsylvania objection.
Sources: U.S. Supreme Court docket No. 155, Original, amicus brief filed Dec. 11, 2020, House Clerk Roll Call 10, Jan. 6, 2021, House Clerk Roll Call 11, Jan. 7, 2021, Free Lance-Star, Jan. 7, 2021
- Credit2026-01-08
On Jan. 8, 2026 was one of 17 Republicans who voted for H.R. 1834, extending Affordable Care Act premium credits for three years; it passed 230 to 196 over Republican leadership opposition.
Sources: House Clerk Roll Call 11, Jan. 8, 2026, PBS NewsHour (Associated Press), Jan. 8, 2026, Virginia Mercury, Sept. 3, 2026 (States Newsroom copy)
- Credit2025-07-04
Provisions of his H.R. 1151, the Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow's Workforce Act, were enacted through H.R. 1, signed July 4, 2025; GovTrack counts 10 enacted bills he sponsored since 2007.
Sources: GovTrack, H.R. 1151 (119th Congress), GovTrack, enacted legislation
- Credit2024-11-03
Reported in November 2024 that his office had closed more than 4,000 constituent cases since May 2023 and secured more than $3.6 million in federal benefits for constituents.
Who they are
Character
Integrity
Tells the truth, keeps their word, and takes no private gain from public office.
Shannon Taylor. Candidate financial disclosure reports are on file with the House Clerk, filed Oct. 8, 2025 and May 12, 2026. FEC reports are on file through July 15, 2026. No FEC administrative fine record found.
Sources: House Clerk financial disclosure, Filing ID 10072619, House Clerk financial disclosure, Filing ID 10077493, FEC candidate page, FEC administrative fines search
Rob Wittman. Periodic transaction reports filed Aug. 13 and Sept. 30, 2023 reported stock trades from 2022 and 2023 past the 45-day deadline; his office said the accountant filed late. The FEC fined his committee $7,170 in 2022 for late 48-hour notices.
Sources: House Clerk periodic transaction report, Filing ID 20023474, House Clerk periodic transaction report, Filing ID 20023757, Washington Examiner, Aug. 16, 2023, WAVY Truth Tracker, Oct. 1, 2026, Campaign site, Get The Facts, FEC Administrative Fine 4395, House Clerk annual financial disclosure, Filing ID 10077609
Courage
Takes a stand that costs them something, including telling their own side no.
Shannon Taylor. No public record found.
Rob Wittman. Voted Yea on Jan. 8, 2026 passage of H.R. 1834 extending Affordable Care Act premium credits; House Republicans voted 17 to 196. Voted Nay on the Jan. 6, 2021 Arizona objection; Republicans voted 121 to 83 Yea.
Sources: House Clerk Roll Call 11, Jan. 8, 2026, Virginia Mercury, Sept. 3, 2026 (States Newsroom copy), House Clerk Roll Call 10, Jan. 6, 2021
Accountability
Owns mistakes, answers hard questions, and works in the open.
Shannon Taylor. Answered the Virginia public media questionnaire and sat for WRIC and NBC12 interviews in September 2026. Her campaign declined a 2026 League of Women Voters joint forum invitation, per Roll Call and the Virginia Mercury.
Sources: Roll Call, Oct. 1, 2026, Virginia Mercury column, Sept. 28, 2026 (States Newsroom copy), VPM 1st District Q&A, Sept. 23, 2026, WRIC, Sept. 2026, NBC12, Sept. 17, 2026
Rob Wittman. Holds telephone town halls and staff mobile office hours; he wrote in April 2025 that his latest call reached about 9,000 constituents. Gave no answer to a 2026 League of Women Voters joint forum invitation, per Roll Call.
Sources: Roll Call, Oct. 1, 2026, Virginia Mercury column, Sept. 28, 2026 (States Newsroom copy), Virginia Mercury, April 26, 2025 (Yahoo copy), WTVR, Feb. 26, 2025, Office site, home page
Temperament and judgment
Steady under pressure, decides on evidence, and treats opponents and staff with respect.
Shannon Taylor. Elected Henrico County Commonwealth's Attorney in 2011 and serving a fourth term. No formal conduct finding found; the Virginia State Bar disciplinary record could not be queried.
Sources: VPM 1st District Q&A, Sept. 23, 2026, WRIC, Aug. 4, 2026
Rob Wittman. Has held elected office since 1986 (town council, county board, House of Delegates, Congress). No House Ethics Committee conduct record found.
Sources: Office site, About, House Committee on Ethics site search for Wittman
Fidelity to the oath
Uses power inside its limits: accepts certified results, obeys court rulings, follows the rules of the office.
Shannon Taylor. Has held the sworn office of Commonwealth's Attorney since January 2012. No official finding of misuse of office and no recorded action to reject certified results found.
Rob Wittman. Voted Yea on the Jan. 7, 2021 objection to Pennsylvania's electors (Roll Call 11) and Nay on the Arizona objection (Roll Call 10). Listed as an amicus on the December 2020 House members' brief supporting Texas in Texas v. Pennsylvania.
Sources: House Clerk Roll Call 11, Jan. 7, 2021, House Clerk Roll Call 10, Jan. 6, 2021, Free Lance-Star, Jan. 7, 2021, U.S. Supreme Court docket No. 155, Original, amicus brief filed Dec. 11, 2020
What they bring
Qualifications
Relevant experience
Has done work that prepares them for this specific office.
Shannon Taylor. Elected Henrico County Commonwealth's Attorney in 2011 and re-elected in 2015, 2019 (62.68 percent) and 2023. Practiced law for about 30 years before and during that service.
Sources: VPM 1st District Q&A, Sept. 23, 2026, Virginia Public Access Project, 2019 election, NBC12, Nov. 9, 2011
Rob Wittman. In the U.S. House since Dec. 13, 2007. Earlier served in the Virginia House of Delegates (2006 to 2007), on the Westmoreland County Board of Supervisors (1996 to 2005) and as mayor of Montross (1992 to 1996).
Sources: GovTrack, VA-1, Ballotpedia, Rob Wittman
Command of the job
Knows the issues and knows what the office can and cannot do.
Shannon Taylor. Published specific proposals: a ban on congressional stock trading, a lifetime lobbying ban for former members, jail time for theft of taxpayer funds, 12-year term limits, and restoring Affordable Care Act tax credits.
Sources: Campaign site, Priorities, VPM 1st District Q&A, Sept. 23, 2026
Rob Wittman. Chairs the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces and is vice chair of the full committee. Campaign issue pages state specific measures, including a $31,500 standard deduction for families.
Sources: GovTrack, committee membership, VPM 1st District Q&A, Sept. 23, 2026, Campaign site, Issues
Communication
Explains plainly, persuades, and listens.
Shannon Taylor. Completed Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey and the Virginia public media questionnaire, publishes issue pages, and gave WRIC and NBC12 interviews in September 2026.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Shannon Taylor (Virginia), VPM 1st District Q&A, Sept. 23, 2026, Campaign site, Priorities, NBC12, Sept. 17, 2026
Rob Wittman. Offers an email newsletter, holds telephone town halls and publishes issue pages, and gave press interviews in September 2026. Did not complete Ballotpedia's 2026 survey or the Virginia public media questionnaire.
Sources: Office site, home page, Virginian-Pilot, March 28, 2025, WAVY (WRIC interview), Sept. 2026, Ballotpedia, Rob Wittman, VPM 1st District Q&A, Sept. 23, 2026
Roots in the constituency
Lives there, knows the people, and is funded by them.
Shannon Taylor. A native Virginian who has lived in Henrico County for 30 years, with degrees from the University of Virginia and University of Richmond law school. In-state contribution share could not be computed; the FEC by-state endpoint was rate limited.
Sources: VPM 1st District Q&A, Sept. 23, 2026, Ballotpedia, Shannon Taylor (Virginia), candidate survey
Rob Wittman. Lives in Montross, Westmoreland County, where he was first elected to the town council in 1986. In-state share of itemized contributions could not be computed; the FEC by-state endpoint was rate limited.
Sources: VPM 1st District Q&A, Sept. 23, 2026, Office site, About
Management
Can build and run an organization.
Shannon Taylor. Has run the Henrico County Commonwealth's Attorney's office since 2012; she describes it as one of the larger such offices in Virginia. Campaign reports are on file with the FEC and no administrative fine record was found.
Sources: VPM interview, June 6, 2025, FEC candidate page, FEC administrative fines search
Rob Wittman. The FEC assessed a $7,170 administrative fine on Rob Wittman for Congress for 2022 48-hour notification violations, upheld Nov. 21, 2022 and paid in full. Campaign reports are on file through July 15, 2026.
What they deliver
Performance
Results
Turns ideas into outcomes.
Shannon Taylor. As Commonwealth's Attorney her office prosecuted Harry Rogers, who pleaded guilty in August 2020 to driving into protesters in Henrico and was sentenced in February 2021 to three years and eight months.
Sources: WTVR (Associated Press), Aug. 2020, WRIC, Feb. 9, 2021, NBC12 (WWBT/AP), Feb. 9, 2021
Rob Wittman. Legislative Effectiveness Score 2.0 of 1.043 in the 118th Congress against a benchmark of 1.490, classed by the Center for Effective Lawmaking as meeting expectations. GovTrack counts 10 enacted bills as sponsor, including H.R. 1151 via H.R. 1 in 2025.
Sources: Center for Effective Lawmaking House dataset, 93rd to 118th Congress (row Wittman, Robert, Congress 118), GovTrack, enacted legislation, GovTrack, H.R. 1151 (119th Congress)
Showing up
Does the basic work of the job.
Shannon Taylor. No public record found.
Rob Wittman. Missed 191 of 11,584 roll call votes, 1.6 percent, from December 2007 to September 2026.
Source: GovTrack, missed votes
Constituent service
Solves problems for the people they represent.
Shannon Taylor. No public record found.
Rob Wittman. Two district offices, in Glen Allen and Yorktown, plus mobile office hours and help with federal agencies. Reported in November 2024 that his office had closed more than 4,000 cases since May 2023.
Sources: Office site, Contact, Office site, Help with a Federal Agency, Virginian-Pilot (Virginia Gazette), Nov. 3, 2024
Coalition building
Wins support beyond their own faction.
Shannon Taylor. No public record found.
Rob Wittman. Lugar Center Bipartisan Index score of 0.18293 in the latest posted House scores (118th Congress), ranked 92 of 435.
Source: Lugar Center and McCourt School Bipartisan Index, House Scores, 118th Congress
Stewardship of public money
Treats tax dollars as someone else's money.
Shannon Taylor. No public record found.
Rob Wittman. No public record found.
How to read this
Each criterion is scored 0 to 4 against the written rubric in the Ballot Standard. NR means no record: there is no reliable public evidence either way, so the criterion is left out and never counts against the candidate. A total is published when at least 8 of 15 criteria have evidence.
A sitting officeholder has a longer public record than a first-time candidate, so the two totals rest on different amounts of evidence. Read the count of criteria beside each score. Low marks require an official finding or a primary record. Allegations and opinion are not used.
No policy position is scored. Evidence checked October 5, 2026. Campaigns and readers can send a correction with a public source to tpg@thepoliticalgroup.com.
Questions
Who should I vote for in Virginia's 1st Congressional District?
Rob Wittman has the strongest record in Virginia's 1st Congressional District. Rob Wittman scores 64 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of Shannon Taylor at 60, as of October 5, 2026. Rob Wittman's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Shannon Taylor's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
Who is running in Virginia's 1st Congressional District in 2026?
Shannon L. Taylor (Democratic), Robert J. "Rob" Wittman (Republican, incumbent). The general election is November 3, 2026.
Is Shannon Taylor a good candidate for Congress?
Shannon Taylor scores 60 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 10 of 15 criteria: character 50 of 100, qualifications 70 of 100, performance 50 of 100. The standard measures character, qualifications and performance, not policy positions.
Is Rob Wittman a good candidate for Congress?
Rob Wittman scores 64 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 14 of 15 criteria: character 40 of 100, qualifications 75 of 100, performance 81 of 100. The standard measures character, qualifications and performance, not policy positions.
How is the strongest record decided?
The candidate with the highest Ballot Standard score has the strongest record. Each of 15 criteria on character, qualifications and performance is scored 0 to 4 from public records and established reporting, the same way for every party. No policy position is scored, and unresolved accusations never move a score.
More on this race: every Virginia race scored, the trailing candidate's path to victory, and the Virginia 2026 election guide. Independent scorecard by The Political Group, not affiliated with any candidate or party.