U.S. House, Virginia 11th Congressional District · November 3, 2026
Who should I vote for in Virginia's 11th Congressional District?
James Walkinshaw has the strongest record in Virginia's 11th Congressional District. James Walkinshaw scores 66 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, as of October 5, 2026. James Walkinshaw's highest marks are showing up and relevant experience. Dianne Blais (2 of 15 criteria) and Arthur Purves (7 of 15 criteria) have too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
Green
Dianne Blais
On the ballot as Dianne L. Blais
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 2 of 15 criteria
- Character
- NR
- Qualifications
- 50
- Performance
- NR
Republican
Arthur Purves
On the ballot as Arthur G. Purves
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 7 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 55
- Performance
- NR
Democratic · incumbent
Strongest record
James Walkinshaw
On the ballot as James R. Walkinshaw
66 / 100
Public evidence on 11 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 70
- Performance
- 88
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.
Dianne Blais
No notable items confirmed in news archives or public documents.
Arthur Purves
- Credit2026
Completed Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey, stating he has lived in Vienna since 1976 and worked 40 years as a computer programmer.
Source: Ballotpedia, Arthur Purves
- Credit1996-10-15 to 2026
Has served as president of the Fairfax County Taxpayers Alliance since Oct. 15, 1996 and was quoted in that role by WTOP in October 2020 on Fairfax County Public Schools spending.
Sources: Fairfax County Taxpayers Alliance, About, board list dated 06/17/2026, WTOP, Oct. 14, 2020
James Walkinshaw
- On the record2025-06-24
During the June 2025 Democratic firehouse primary, the late Rep. Gerry Connolly's campaign social media accounts posted endorsements of him; the X account's bio said posts were made with the consent of the Connolly family.
- On the record2025-09-10
Resigned from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Sept. 10, 2025 after winning the Sept. 9 special election to Congress, and was sworn in the same day.
Sources: FFXnow, Sept. 10, 2025, Associated Press via The Virginian-Pilot, Sept. 8, 2025
- Credit2026-02-04
Co-founded and co-chairs the bicameral Federal Workforce Caucus launched Feb. 4, 2026 with Sens. Van Hollen and Kaine and Reps. Hoyer and Subramanyam, per Federal News Network.
- Credit2026-03-03
Secured about $13.4 million in community project funding for Fairfax County in the fiscal 2026 minibus appropriations package, as reported by FFXnow and DC News Now.
Sources: FFXnow, March 3, 2026, DC News Now via Yahoo News, March 3, 2026
- Credit2026-06-25
Introduced with Republican Rep. Don Bacon a bill requiring the Department of Homeland Security to report gaps in meeting federal event-logging requirements, per Nextgov.
Source: Nextgov/FCW, June 30, 2026
- Credit2026-07-13
The House passed his bill on July 13, 2026 to name the Fairfax post office at 10660 Page Avenue for the late Rep. Gerry Connolly, per FFXnow.
Source: FFXnow, July 14, 2026
- Credit2025-01-02
Elected 2025 chair of the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board, after serving on the board and the COG Board of Directors since 2020, per the Council of Governments.
Source: Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, Jan. 2, 2025
- Credit2025-09-16
On Sept. 16, 2025 the House granted his unanimous consent request to become lead sponsor of four federal workforce bills previously introduced by Rep. Connolly, per Government Executive.
- Credit2025-09-17
Co-sponsored the Delete DOGE Act within a week of taking office, which FFXnow reported as fulfilling a campaign promise.
Source: FFXnow, Sept. 17, 2025
- Credit2025-11
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors honored him in November 2025 for leadership in public safety, sustainability, housing and community engagement, per the county's Channel 16 page.
- Credit2025-09 to 2026-09
Missed 2 of 432 roll call votes, 0.5 percent, from September 2025 to September 2026, per GovTrack.
Source: GovTrack, missed votes
Who they are
Character
Integrity
Tells the truth, keeps their word, and takes no private gain from public office.
Dianne Blais. No public record found.
Arthur Purves. Candidate financial disclosure report is on file with the House Clerk, filed June 14, 2026. FEC reports are on file. No FEC administrative fine record found.
Sources: House Clerk financial disclosure, Filing ID 10080036, FEC administrative fines search, Purves
James Walkinshaw. Annual disclosure for 2025 filed April 29, 2026 and candidate report filed Aug. 8, 2025 are on the House Clerk record, with no periodic transaction reports. No House Ethics or FEC fine record. FFXnow reported a pledge kept in 2025.
Sources: House Clerk financial disclosure, Filing ID 10075460, House Clerk financial disclosure, Filing ID 10070306, House Committee on Ethics site search for Walkinshaw, FEC administrative fines search, Walkinshaw, FFXnow, Sept. 17, 2025
Courage
Takes a stand that costs them something, including telling their own side no.
Dianne Blais. No public record found.
Arthur Purves. No public record found.
James Walkinshaw. No public record found.
Accountability
Owns mistakes, answers hard questions, and works in the open.
Dianne Blais. No public record found.
Arthur Purves. No public record found.
James Walkinshaw. Took part in two 2025 special election candidate forums, holds telephone town halls and public roundtables, and is listed for a League of Women Voters forum on Oct. 26, 2026 that had not yet taken place.
Sources: WTOP, July 29, 2025, FFXnow, Aug. 15, 2025, Office site, Telephone Town Hall Sign Up, FFXnow, June 16, 2026, League of Women Voters of the Fairfax Area, 2026 candidate forums
Temperament and judgment
Steady under pressure, decides on evidence, and treats opponents and staff with respect.
Dianne Blais. No public record found.
Arthur Purves. President of the Fairfax County Taxpayers Alliance since Oct. 15, 1996, a volunteer post. No formal conduct finding found.
Sources: Fairfax County Taxpayers Alliance, About, board list dated 06/17/2026, WTOP, Oct. 14, 2020
James Walkinshaw. Served on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors from 2020 to 2025 and in Congress since Sept. 10, 2025. No House Ethics Committee conduct record found.
Sources: Associated Press via The Virginian-Pilot, Sept. 8, 2025, GovTrack, James Walkinshaw, House Committee on Ethics site search for Walkinshaw
Fidelity to the oath
Uses power inside its limits: accepts certified results, obeys court rulings, follows the rules of the office.
Dianne Blais. No public record found.
Arthur Purves. No public record found.
James Walkinshaw. Held the sworn office of Fairfax County supervisor from 2020 to 2025 and U.S. representative since Sept. 10, 2025. No official finding of misuse of office and no recorded action to reject certified results found.
Sources: Associated Press via The Virginian-Pilot, Sept. 8, 2025, GovTrack, James Walkinshaw, House Committee on Ethics site search for Walkinshaw
What they bring
Qualifications
Relevant experience
Has done work that prepares them for this specific office.
Dianne Blais. Ballotpedia lists professional experience as vice president of a privately held company and a B.A. in economics from Mary Washington. Has not held public office.
Source: Ballotpedia, Dianne Blais
Arthur Purves. President of the Fairfax County Taxpayers Alliance since 1996 and a computer programmer for 40 years by his own account. Has not held public office.
Sources: Fairfax County Taxpayers Alliance, About, board list dated 06/17/2026, WTOP, Oct. 14, 2020, Ballotpedia, Arthur Purves
James Walkinshaw. Incumbent in this office since Sept. 10, 2025. Served as Braddock District supervisor from 2020 to 2025, chief of staff to Rep. Gerry Connolly from 2009 to 2019, and 2025 chair of the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board.
Sources: GovTrack, James Walkinshaw, NBC4 Washington (NBC News), June 29, 2025, Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, Jan. 2, 2025
Command of the job
Knows the issues and knows what the office can and cannot do.
Dianne Blais. No public record found.
Arthur Purves. Published positions in general terms on his campaign site and in the Ballotpedia survey, including cutting federal medical spending by reducing chronic disease.
Sources: Campaign site, votepurves.org, Ballotpedia, Arthur Purves
James Walkinshaw. Sits on the Oversight and Government Reform and Homeland Security committees and four subcommittees. Lead sponsor of four federal workforce bills and co-sponsor with Rep. Don Bacon of a DHS event-logging bill introduced June 25, 2026.
Sources: GovTrack, committee membership, Government Executive, Sept. 19, 2025, Nextgov/FCW, June 30, 2026
Communication
Explains plainly, persuades, and listens.
Dianne Blais. No public record found.
Arthur Purves. Completed Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey and publishes issue statements on his campaign site.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Arthur Purves, Campaign site, votepurves.org
James Walkinshaw. Offers telephone town halls and the Walkinshaw Weekly e-newsletter, took part in two 2025 candidate forums, and publishes issue pages. Has not completed Ballotpedia's 2026 survey.
Sources: Office site, Telephone Town Hall Sign Up, Office site, Walkinshaw Weekly Sign Up, WTOP, July 29, 2025, Ballotpedia, James Walkinshaw
Roots in the constituency
Lives there, knows the people, and is funded by them.
Dianne Blais. Listed on the state candidate list with a Fairfax address. Ballotpedia lists James Madison High School.
Source: Virginia Department of Elections, 2026 November Federal Offices Candidate List (updated 9/14/26)
Arthur Purves. Says he has lived in Vienna since 1976. Listed with a Vienna address on the state candidate list and as Hunter Mill district president of the Fairfax County Taxpayers Alliance since 1996. FEC in-state share not retrieved.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Arthur Purves, candidate survey, Virginia Department of Elections, 2026 November Federal Offices Candidate List (updated 9/14/26), Fairfax County Taxpayers Alliance, About, board list dated 06/17/2026
James Walkinshaw. Grew up in Prince William County, lives in Fairfax, and represented the Braddock District on the county board from 2020 to 2025. FEC in-state contribution share could not be retrieved.
Sources: Campaign site, jameswalkinshaw.org, Associated Press via The Virginian-Pilot, Sept. 8, 2025, Virginia Department of Elections, 2026 November Federal Offices Candidate List (updated 9/14/26)
Management
Can build and run an organization.
Dianne Blais. No public record found.
Arthur Purves. Campaign committee reports are on file with the FEC through Aug. 27, 2026, with $10,779.94 in total receipts. No FEC administrative fine record found.
Sources: FEC candidate page, FEC administrative fines search, Purves
James Walkinshaw. Campaign committee reports are on file with the FEC through July 15, 2026. No FEC administrative fine record found.
Sources: FEC candidate page, FEC administrative fines search, Walkinshaw
What they deliver
Performance
Results
Turns ideas into outcomes.
Dianne Blais. No public record found.
Arthur Purves. No public record found.
James Walkinshaw. No public record found.
Showing up
Does the basic work of the job.
Dianne Blais. No public record found.
Arthur Purves. No public record found.
James Walkinshaw. Missed 2 of 432 roll call votes, 0.5 percent, from September 2025 to September 2026.
Source: GovTrack, missed votes
Constituent service
Solves problems for the people they represent.
Dianne Blais. No public record found.
Arthur Purves. No public record found.
James Walkinshaw. Lists a Fairfax district office and help with federal agencies, holds telephone town halls, and held a June 15, 2026 roundtable with DACA recipients reported by FFXnow.
Sources: Office site, Offices, Office site, Constituent Services, Office site, Telephone Town Hall Sign Up, FFXnow, June 16, 2026
Coalition building
Wins support beyond their own faction.
Dianne Blais. No public record found.
Arthur Purves. No public record found.
James Walkinshaw. No public record found.
Stewardship of public money
Treats tax dollars as someone else's money.
Dianne Blais. No public record found.
Arthur Purves. No public record found.
James Walkinshaw. 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 11th Congressional District?
James Walkinshaw has the strongest record in Virginia's 11th Congressional District. James Walkinshaw scores 66 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, as of October 5, 2026. James Walkinshaw's highest marks are showing up and relevant experience. Dianne Blais (2 of 15 criteria) and Arthur Purves (7 of 15 criteria) have too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
Who is running in Virginia's 11th Congressional District in 2026?
Dianne L. Blais (Green), Arthur G. Purves (Republican), James R. Walkinshaw (Democratic, incumbent). The general election is November 3, 2026.
Is Dianne Blais a good candidate for Congress?
Dianne Blais has public evidence on 2 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
Is Arthur Purves a good candidate for Congress?
Arthur Purves has public evidence on 7 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
Is James Walkinshaw a good candidate for Congress?
James Walkinshaw scores 66 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 11 of 15 criteria: character 50 of 100, qualifications 70 of 100, performance 88 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.