U.S. House, Virginia 4th Congressional District · November 3, 2026
Who should I vote for in Virginia's 4th Congressional District?
Jennifer McClellan has the strongest record in Virginia's 4th Congressional District. Jennifer McClellan scores 67 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, as of October 5, 2026. Jennifer McClellan's highest marks are relevant experience and roots in the constituency. Joan Andrews Bell (4 of 15 criteria) and Robert Murray Jr. (5 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.
Independent
Joan Andrews Bell
On the ballot as Joan E. "Andrews" Bell
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 4 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 0
- Qualifications
- 33
- Performance
- NR
Democratic · incumbent
Strongest record
Jennifer McClellan
On the ballot as Jennifer L. McClellan
67 / 100
Public evidence on 13 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 56
- Qualifications
- 80
- Performance
- 63
Republican
Robert Murray Jr.
On the ballot as Robert P. "Family Man" Murray, Jr.
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 5 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 50
- Performance
- NR
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.
Joan Andrews Bell
- Mark against2024-05
Was sentenced in May 2024 in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to 27 months in prison and 36 months of supervised release after conviction for conspiracy against rights and a FACE Act offense in the Oct. 22, 2020 blockade of a Washington reproductive health clinic.
Sources: U.S. Department of Justice press release, May 15, 2024, U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the Pardon Attorney, clemency grants, Catholic Review (OSV News), May 17, 2024
- On the record2026
States on her campaign site that she has been arrested more than 200 times in anti-abortion activity over her lifetime.
Sources: Campaign site, joan.vote, Catholic Review (OSV News), May 17, 2024
- On the record2025-01-23
Received a full pardon from President Trump on Jan. 23, 2025 for the conspiracy against rights and FACE Act convictions, one of 24 pardons issued that day in clinic blockade cases.
Sources: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the Pardon Attorney, clemency grants, Associated Press via Boston.com, Jan. 24, 2025
Jennifer McClellan
- On the record2026-04-07
Sold $100,001 to $250,000 of Verizon Communications common stock on April 7, 2026 and reported it on a periodic transaction report signed April 16, 2026, within the 45-day deadline; her 2025 disclosure lists Verizon holdings and she sits on the Energy and Commerce communications subcommittee.
Sources: House Clerk periodic transaction report, Filing ID 20034311, House Clerk financial disclosure, Filing ID 10076903, GovTrack, committee membership
- On the record2023-03-07
Won the February 2023 special election to succeed the late Rep. Donald McEachin, took office March 7, 2023, and became the first Black woman to represent Virginia in Congress.
Sources: VPM, July 9, 2026, VPM, Aug. 5, 2026, Ballotpedia, Jennifer McClellan
- Credit2026-09
Completed Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey, answered the VPM public media questionnaire published Sept. 18, 2026 and appeared on WTVR's candidate interview on Sept. 22, 2026.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Jennifer McClellan, VPM, Sept. 18, 2026, 4th District Q&A, WTVR CBS 6, Sept. 23, 2026
- Credit2025-06-02 and 2026-08-04
Held an open in-person town hall at Virginia State University on June 2, 2025 and another at the Science Museum of Virginia on Aug. 4, 2026.
Sources: Progress-Index, June 3, 2025, as republished on the office site, Style Weekly, Aug. 12, 2026
- Credit2024
Sponsored H.R. 7385 (118th Congress), naming the Petersburg post office at 29 Franklin Street for John Mercer Langston, which was enacted; it is her one enacted bill as primary sponsor.
Source: GovTrack, enacted legislation
- Credit2021-04-07
As chief patron of SB 1395, the Voting Rights Act of Virginia, saw the bill enacted as Chapter 528 on April 7, 2021 after the governor's recommendation was adopted.
- Credit2020-04-11
As chief patron of SB 851, the Virginia Clean Economy Act, saw the bill approved by the governor on April 11, 2020 as Chapter 1194 of the 2020 Acts of Assembly.
Source: Virginia LIS, SB 851 (2020)
Robert Murray Jr.
- On the record2026-07
Was nominated for the 4th District by the Republican Party at a caucus in July 2026, after the Republican primary was canceled.
Sources: VPM, Aug. 5, 2026, Ballotpedia, Robert Murray Jr. (Virginia)
- On the record2026-09
Answered the Virginia public media candidate questionnaire published by VPM on Sept. 18, 2026 and gave an on-air campaign interview to WWBT on Sept. 17, 2026.
Sources: VPM, Sept. 18, 2026, 4th District Q&A, WWBT 12 On Your Side, Sept. 17, 2026
Who they are
Character
Integrity
Tells the truth, keeps their word, and takes no private gain from public office.
Joan Andrews Bell. No public record found.
Jennifer McClellan. Annual financial disclosure for 2025 is on file with the House Clerk, filed Aug. 13, 2026. A periodic transaction report for an April 7, 2026 stock sale was filed April 16, 2026. No House Ethics Committee or FEC administrative fine record found.
Sources: House Clerk financial disclosure, Filing ID 10076903, House Clerk periodic transaction report, Filing ID 20034311, House Committee on Ethics site search for McClellan, FEC administrative fines search
Robert Murray Jr.. No public record found.
Courage
Takes a stand that costs them something, including telling their own side no.
Joan Andrews Bell. No public record found.
Jennifer McClellan. No public record found.
Robert Murray Jr.. No public record found.
Accountability
Owns mistakes, answers hard questions, and works in the open.
Joan Andrews Bell. No public record found.
Jennifer McClellan. Held open in-person town halls on June 2, 2025 at Virginia State University and Aug. 4, 2026 at the Science Museum of Virginia. Answered the VPM public media candidate questionnaire and appeared on WTVR's candidate interview on Sept. 22, 2026. No 2026 general election debate was found in news reports.
Sources: Progress-Index, June 3, 2025, as republished on the office site, Style Weekly, Aug. 12, 2026, VPM, Sept. 18, 2026, 4th District Q&A, WTVR CBS 6, Sept. 23, 2026
Robert Murray Jr.. Answered the VPM public media candidate questionnaire published Sept. 18, 2026 and gave an on-air campaign interview to WWBT 12 On Your Side on Sept. 17, 2026. No 2026 general election debate was found in news reports.
Sources: VPM, Sept. 18, 2026, 4th District Q&A, WWBT 12 On Your Side, Sept. 17, 2026
Temperament and judgment
Steady under pressure, decides on evidence, and treats opponents and staff with respect.
Joan Andrews Bell. Convicted in federal court in Washington of conspiracy against rights and a FACE Act offense for the Oct. 22, 2020 blockade of a Washington reproductive health clinic; sentenced in May 2024 to 27 months in prison. Pardoned by President Trump on Jan. 23, 2025.
Sources: U.S. Department of Justice press release, May 15, 2024, U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the Pardon Attorney, clemency grants, Catholic Review (OSV News), May 17, 2024, Associated Press via Boston.com, Jan. 24, 2025
Jennifer McClellan. Served in the Virginia House of Delegates (2006 to 2017), the Virginia Senate (2017 to 2023) and the U.S. House since March 7, 2023. No House Ethics Committee conduct record found.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Jennifer McClellan, House Committee on Ethics site search for McClellan
Robert Murray Jr.. No public record found.
Fidelity to the oath
Uses power inside its limits: accepts certified results, obeys court rulings, follows the rules of the office.
Joan Andrews Bell. No public record found.
Jennifer McClellan. Has held sworn state and federal legislative office since 2006. No official finding of misuse of office and no recorded action to reject certified election results found. She was not in Congress for the 2001, 2005, 2017 or 2021 electoral vote objections.
Sources: GovTrack, Jennifer McClellan, Ballotpedia, Jennifer McClellan
Robert Murray Jr.. No public record found.
What they bring
Qualifications
Relevant experience
Has done work that prepares them for this specific office.
Joan Andrews Bell. No public record found.
Jennifer McClellan. In her second term in the U.S. House, in office since March 7, 2023, after 11 years in the Virginia House of Delegates and six years in the Virginia Senate.
Sources: GovTrack, Jennifer McClellan, Ballotpedia, Jennifer McClellan, VPM, Sept. 18, 2026, 4th District Q&A
Robert Murray Jr.. Describes a private-sector career as a technology entrepreneur and IBM consulting executive, with a William & Mary B.A. and an Emory MBA. Has not held elected or appointed office. The career description is his own, as given to VPM and published by WAVY from his campaign site.
Sources: VPM, Sept. 18, 2026, 4th District Q&A, WAVY candidate profile (Yahoo copy), Sept. 10, 2026
Command of the job
Knows the issues and knows what the office can and cannot do.
Joan Andrews Bell. Publishes a position in general terms on her campaign site, opposing Virginia's Amendment 1 and later-term abortion.
Source: Campaign site, joan.vote
Jennifer McClellan. Sits on the House Energy and Commerce Committee and its Communications and Technology and Energy subcommittees. Gave specific positions in the VPM questionnaire and WTVR interview, including reinstating enhanced ACA premium tax credits and data center cost allocation.
Sources: GovTrack, committee membership, WTVR CBS 6, Sept. 23, 2026, VPM, Sept. 18, 2026, 4th District Q&A
Robert Murray Jr.. Published positions in general terms through the VPM questionnaire and his campaign site, under the headings health, wealth and respect, including family law reform and affordability.
Sources: VPM, Sept. 18, 2026, 4th District Q&A, WAVY candidate profile (Yahoo copy), Sept. 10, 2026
Communication
Explains plainly, persuades, and listens.
Joan Andrews Bell. Publishes one issue page on her campaign site. Did not answer the VPM public media questionnaire and has not completed Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey.
Sources: VPM, Sept. 18, 2026, 4th District Q&A, Ballotpedia, Joan Bell (Virginia), Campaign site, joan.vote
Jennifer McClellan. Completed Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey, answered the VPM public media questionnaire, offers an office newsletter, holds in-person town halls and appeared on WTVR's candidate interview.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Jennifer McClellan, VPM, Sept. 18, 2026, 4th District Q&A, Office site, home page, Style Weekly, Aug. 12, 2026, WTVR CBS 6, Sept. 23, 2026
Robert Murray Jr.. Answered the VPM public media questionnaire and publishes issue positions on his campaign site. Has not completed Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey.
Sources: VPM, Sept. 18, 2026, 4th District Q&A, Ballotpedia, Robert Murray Jr. (Virginia)
Roots in the constituency
Lives there, knows the people, and is funded by them.
Joan Andrews Bell. The Department of Elections candidate list gives her address as 31 River Rd, Montague, New Jersey, outside the district and the state.
Source: Virginia Department of Elections, November 3, 2026 federal candidate list
Jennifer McClellan. Born in Petersburg in 1972, lives in Richmond and has represented Richmond-area districts since 2006. FEC by-state totals for 2025 to 2026 show about 78 percent of individual contributions from Virginia ($345,470.83 of $442,785.58).
Sources: Ballotpedia, Jennifer McClellan, VPM, Sept. 18, 2026, 4th District Q&A, FEC contribution totals by state
Robert Murray Jr.. Lists a Richmond address on the Department of Elections candidate list and told VPM he lives in downtown Richmond. Describes himself as a Chesterfield native; no independent source for years of residence was found. No FEC by-state contribution data was available.
Sources: Virginia Department of Elections, November 3, 2026 federal candidate list, VPM, Sept. 18, 2026, 4th District Q&A
Management
Can build and run an organization.
Joan Andrews Bell. No public record found.
Jennifer McClellan. Campaign committee quarterly reports for 2025 and 2026 were received by the FEC on their due dates, with the July 2026 quarterly received July 15, 2026. No FEC administrative fine record found.
Sources: FEC candidate page, FEC administrative fines search
Robert Murray Jr.. No public record found.
What they deliver
Performance
Results
Turns ideas into outcomes.
Joan Andrews Bell. No public record found.
Jennifer McClellan. Center for Effective Lawmaking Legislative Effectiveness Score 2.0 of 0.244 in the 118th Congress against a benchmark of 0.522, classed as below expectations. GovTrack lists 1 enacted bill as primary sponsor, a post office naming.
Sources: Center for Effective Lawmaking House dataset, 93rd to 118th Congress, GovTrack, enacted legislation
Robert Murray Jr.. No public record found.
Showing up
Does the basic work of the job.
Joan Andrews Bell. No public record found.
Jennifer McClellan. Missed 15 of 1,785 roll call votes, 0.8 percent, from March 2023 to September 2026.
Source: GovTrack, missed votes
Robert Murray Jr.. No public record found.
Constituent service
Solves problems for the people they represent.
Joan Andrews Bell. No public record found.
Jennifer McClellan. Lists a Richmond district office and a Brunswick satellite office open every Thursday, offers help with federal agencies, and runs a Youth Advisory Council and a Veteran of the Year program. Held in-person town halls in 2025 and 2026.
Sources: Office site, office locations, Office site, services, Henrico Citizen, Sept. 22, 2026, Style Weekly, Aug. 12, 2026
Robert Murray Jr.. No public record found.
Coalition building
Wins support beyond their own faction.
Joan Andrews Bell. No public record found.
Jennifer McClellan. Lugar Center Bipartisan Index score of -0.81535 in the latest posted House scores (118th Congress), ranked 294 of 436.
Source: Lugar Center and McCourt School Bipartisan Index, House Scores, 118th Congress
Robert Murray Jr.. No public record found.
Stewardship of public money
Treats tax dollars as someone else's money.
Joan Andrews Bell. No public record found.
Jennifer McClellan. No public record found.
Robert Murray Jr.. 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 4th Congressional District?
Jennifer McClellan has the strongest record in Virginia's 4th Congressional District. Jennifer McClellan scores 67 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, as of October 5, 2026. Jennifer McClellan's highest marks are relevant experience and roots in the constituency. Joan Andrews Bell (4 of 15 criteria) and Robert Murray Jr. (5 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 4th Congressional District in 2026?
Joan E. "Andrews" Bell (Independent), Jennifer L. McClellan (Democratic, incumbent), Robert P. "Family Man" Murray, Jr. (Republican). The general election is November 3, 2026.
Is Joan Andrews Bell a good candidate for Congress?
Joan Andrews Bell has public evidence on 4 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 Jennifer McClellan a good candidate for Congress?
Jennifer McClellan scores 67 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 13 of 15 criteria: character 56 of 100, qualifications 80 of 100, performance 63 of 100. The standard measures character, qualifications and performance, not policy positions.
Is Robert Murray Jr. a good candidate for Congress?
Robert Murray Jr. has public evidence on 5 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.
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.