U.S. House, Virginia 7th Congressional District · November 3, 2026
Who should I vote for in Virginia's 7th Congressional District?
Eugene Vindman has the strongest record in Virginia's 7th Congressional District. Eugene Vindman scores 62 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of Doug Ollivant at 53, as of October 5, 2026. Eugene Vindman's highest marks are showing up and courage. Doug Ollivant's highest marks are relevant experience. Alaha Ahrar (3 of 15 criteria), Joshua Ertle (1 of 15 criteria), Taner Demirci Lopez (3 of 15 criteria) and Randall Terry (6 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
Alaha Ahrar
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 3 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 50
- Performance
- NR
Independent
Joshua Ertle
On the ballot as Joshua E. Ertle
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 1 of 15 criteria
- Character
- NR
- Qualifications
- 25
- Performance
- NR
Libertarian
Taner Demirci Lopez
On the ballot as Taner E. Demirci Lopez
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 3 of 15 criteria
- Character
- NR
- Qualifications
- 50
- Performance
- NR
Republican
Doug Ollivant
On the ballot as Doug A. Ollivant
53 / 100
Public evidence on 9 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 55
- Performance
- NR
Independent
Randall Terry
On the ballot as Randall A. Terry
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 6 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 45
- Performance
- NR
Democratic · incumbent
Strongest record
Eugene Vindman
On the ballot as Eugene S. Vindman
62 / 100
Public evidence on 13 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 55
- Qualifications
- 60
- Performance
- 75
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.
Alaha Ahrar
- On the record2026-09
Accepted the University of Mary Washington 7th District debate set for Sept. 15 then Sept. 22, 2026, which UMW cancelled after another candidate became unavailable.
Sources: The Free Lance-Star, Sept. 14, 2026, Potomac Local News, Sept. 21, 2026
Joshua Ertle
No notable items confirmed in news archives or public documents.
Taner Demirci Lopez
- On the record2026-09
Accepted the University of Mary Washington 7th District debate set for Sept. 15 then Sept. 22, 2026, which UMW cancelled after another candidate became unavailable.
Sources: The Free Lance-Star, Sept. 14, 2026, Potomac Local News, Sept. 21, 2026
Doug Ollivant
- On the record2026-06
Took part in Republican primary candidate forums on June 17, 2026 in Fredericksburg and June 23, 2026 in Culpeper County.
Sources: Potomac Local News, June 19, 2026, VPM News, July 7, 2026
- On the record2026-09
Accepted the University of Mary Washington debate set for Sept. 15 then Sept. 22, 2026, then was no longer available on the rescheduled date after citing a medical issue; UMW cancelled the debate.
Sources: Potomac Local News, Sept. 21, 2026, The Free Lance-Star, Sept. 21, 2026 (summary as published in the paper's search feed), Campaign site, Events
- On the record2012 to present
Managing partner and senior vice president of Mantid International, LLC, a consulting firm with offices in Washington, Beirut, Baghdad, Hilla and Basra, since 2012.
Sources: New America, Douglas Ollivant profile, The Free Lance-Star, Sept. 14, 2026
- Credit2004 to 2009
Served two Army tours in Iraq, taught politics at West Point for three years, and was National Security Council Director for Iraq under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama; retired as a lieutenant colonel.
Sources: Prince William Times, Aug. 4, 2026, Potomac Local News, Aug. 5, 2026, VPM News, July 7, 2026, New America, Douglas Ollivant profile
Randall Terry
- Mark against1990-02-27
Adjudged in civil contempt with Operation Rescue of the court's Oct. 27, 1988 order and permanent injunction, and assessed $100,000 in coercive civil penalties, jointly and severally.
- Mark against1988-11-04
Held in civil contempt with Operation Rescue by the Southern District of New York for violating a May 4, 1988 order, with $50,000 in sanctions, affirmed by the Second Circuit on Sept. 20, 1989.
Source: New York State NOW v. Terry, 886 F.2d 1339 (2d Cir. Sept. 20, 1989), Caselaw Access Project record
- On the record2026
Also filed for U.S. House seats in New Jersey's 7th District and Hawaii's 2nd District in 2026, losing Hawaii's Aug. 8 primary, while running in Virginia's 7th.
- On the record2026
Official filings list a Tennessee address: Bartlett on the Virginia candidate list and Ellendale on his FEC candidate record.
Sources: Virginia Department of Elections, November 3, 2026 federal offices candidate list (rev. 9/14/2026), FEC candidate record
- On the record2026
His campaign site states that he has been arrested more than 50 times in anti-abortion protests; no individual charge or outcome was opened.
Source: Campaign site, home
- On the record2024
Was the Constitution Party's 2024 presidential nominee and appeared on the ballot in a number of states.
- On the record2012
Ran as an independent for Congress in Florida's 20th District in 2012 while a West Virginia resident, the Sun Sentinel reported.
Eugene Vindman
- On the record2026
Announced a 2026 run in a proposed redrawn 1st District, then ran for re-election in the 7th after the redistricting referendum was voided.
- On the record2026-05-20
Voted Aye on passage of H.R. 2616 on May 20, 2026, one of eight Democrats to do so, when the Democratic Leader voted No.
Sources: House Clerk Roll Call 184, May 20, 2026, H.R. 2616, on passage, Potomac Local News, Aug. 17, 2026, quoting The Advocate
- On the record2026-09
Was not on the slate for the University of Mary Washington's 7th District debate set for Sept. 15 and then Sept. 22, 2026, citing a prior commitment; UMW later cancelled the event.
Sources: The Free Lance-Star, Sept. 7, 2026, 'Trio to attend 7D candidates' forum at UMW, not Vindman' (summary as published in the paper's search feed), The Free Lance-Star, Sept. 14, 2026, 'Vindman to miss first announced debate' (summary as published in the paper's search feed), Potomac Local News, Sept. 21, 2026
- On the record2025-01-22
Voted Yea on final passage of S. 5, the Laken Riley Act, on Jan. 22, 2025, when the Democratic Leader voted Nay.
Source: House Clerk Roll Call 23, Jan. 22, 2025, S. 5 (Laken Riley Act), on passage
- Credit2026-03
Secured community project funding of $850,000 and $250,000 for two Spotsylvania County road projects and $250,000 for a Stafford County road project, presented in March 2026.
- Credit2026-06
A bipartisan synthetic opioid bill he led with Rep. Bob Latta (R-Ohio) passed the House Energy and Commerce Committee in June 2026.
- Credit2026-07
The U.S. Department of Agriculture issued a disaster declaration for 43 primary and 61 contiguous Virginia counties in July 2026 following his advocacy and the governor's formal request.
- Credit2022-05-18
A Defense Department inspector general report found that National Security Council officials retaliated against him in 2019 and 2020 after he raised concerns about the president's July 25, 2019 call with Ukraine's president.
Sources: Associated Press via WRAL, May 18, 2022, Military Times, Aug. 26, 2022
Who they are
Character
Integrity
Tells the truth, keeps their word, and takes no private gain from public office.
Alaha Ahrar. Statement of candidacy and committee reports are on file with the FEC through June 30, 2026. No FEC administrative fine record found.
Sources: FEC candidate page, financial totals, 2025 to 2026, FEC administrative fines search
Joshua Ertle. No public record found.
Taner Demirci Lopez. No public record found.
Doug Ollivant. Campaign committee reports are on file with the FEC through July 15, 2026. No FEC administrative fine record found. A candidate financial disclosure could not be located in the House Clerk database on Oct. 5, 2026.
Sources: FEC candidate page, financial totals, 2025 to 2026, FEC administrative fines search, House Committee on Ethics site search for Ollivant
Randall Terry. Statement of candidacy and two committees are on file with the FEC. No FEC administrative fine record found. Court contempt findings of 1988 to 1990 are older than ten years and are not scored (E1).
Sources: FEC committees for candidate H6VA07312, FEC administrative fines search
Eugene Vindman. Annual financial disclosure for 2025 is on file with the House Clerk, filed Aug. 13, 2026 after an extension. No periodic transaction reports are listed. FEC reports on file. No House Ethics Committee or FEC administrative fine record found.
Sources: House Clerk financial disclosure, Filing ID 10074947, House Clerk financial disclosure search, last name Vindman (no periodic transaction reports listed), House Committee on Ethics site search for Vindman, FEC administrative fines search
Courage
Takes a stand that costs them something, including telling their own side no.
Alaha Ahrar. No public record found.
Joshua Ertle. No public record found.
Taner Demirci Lopez. No public record found.
Doug Ollivant. No public record found.
Randall Terry. No public record found.
Eugene Vindman. Voted Yea on S. 5 (Jan. 22, 2025) and Aye on H.R. 2616 (May 20, 2026) when the Democratic Leader voted No. A 2022 Pentagon inspector general report found he suffered reprisal after reporting concerns about a 2019 presidential call.
Sources: House Clerk Roll Call 23, Jan. 22, 2025, S. 5 (Laken Riley Act), on passage, House Clerk Roll Call 184, May 20, 2026, H.R. 2616, on passage, Associated Press via WRAL, May 18, 2022, Military Times, Aug. 26, 2022
Accountability
Owns mistakes, answers hard questions, and works in the open.
Alaha Ahrar. No public record found.
Joshua Ertle. No public record found.
Taner Demirci Lopez. No public record found.
Doug Ollivant. Took part in the June 17 and June 23, 2026 Republican candidate forums. Accepted the UMW general election debate set for Sept. 15 then Sept. 22, 2026, then became unavailable citing a medical issue; UMW cancelled it.
Sources: Potomac Local News, June 19, 2026, VPM News, July 7, 2026, Potomac Local News, Sept. 21, 2026
Randall Terry. No public record found.
Eugene Vindman. Was not on the slate for the University of Mary Washington debate set for Sept. 15 and then Sept. 22, 2026, citing a prior commitment; the university later cancelled it. Holds veterans roundtables and grant events in the district.
Sources: The Free Lance-Star, Sept. 14, 2026, 'Vindman to miss first announced debate' (summary as published in the paper's search feed), The Free Lance-Star, Sept. 7, 2026, 'Trio to attend 7D candidates' forum at UMW, not Vindman' (summary as published in the paper's search feed), Potomac Local News, Sept. 21, 2026, Fredericksburg Free Press, Aug. 10, 2026, Potomac Local News, April 25, 2025
Temperament and judgment
Steady under pressure, decides on evidence, and treats opponents and staff with respect.
Alaha Ahrar. No public record found.
Joshua Ertle. No public record found.
Taner Demirci Lopez. No public record found.
Doug Ollivant. Served in the Army, including two Iraq tours, and as National Security Council Director for Iraq under two presidents. No formal conduct finding found.
Sources: Potomac Local News, Aug. 5, 2026, Prince William Times, Aug. 4, 2026, House Committee on Ethics site search for Ollivant
Randall Terry. No public record found.
Eugene Vindman. Served 25 years in the Army, reaching colonel, including as a National Security Council deputy legal adviser, and in Congress since Jan. 3, 2025. No House Ethics Committee conduct record found.
Sources: Office site, About, GovTrack, Eugene Vindman, House Committee on Ethics site search for Vindman
Fidelity to the oath
Uses power inside its limits: accepts certified results, obeys court rulings, follows the rules of the office.
Alaha Ahrar. No public record found.
Joshua Ertle. No public record found.
Taner Demirci Lopez. No public record found.
Doug Ollivant. Took the oath of Army service (1989 to 1997 per Ballotpedia; retired as a lieutenant colonel) and served in federal office at the National Security Council. No official finding of misuse of office found.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Douglas Ollivant, Prince William Times, Aug. 4, 2026, VPM News, June 16, 2026
Randall Terry. No public record found.
Eugene Vindman. Took the oath of Army service for 25 years and the House oath on Jan. 3, 2025. No official finding of misuse of office and no recorded action to reject certified results found.
Sources: Office site, About, GovTrack, Eugene Vindman, House Committee on Ethics site search for Vindman
What they bring
Qualifications
Relevant experience
Has done work that prepares them for this specific office.
Alaha Ahrar. No public record found.
Joshua Ertle. No public record found.
Taner Demirci Lopez. No public record found.
Doug Ollivant. Retired Army lieutenant colonel with two combat tours in Iraq, former instructor at West Point, and National Security Council Director for Iraq under Presidents Bush and Obama. Has not held elected office.
Sources: Prince William Times, Aug. 4, 2026, Potomac Local News, Aug. 5, 2026, VPM News, July 7, 2026, New America, Douglas Ollivant profile
Randall Terry. Founded and led the national protest organization Operation Rescue. Has not held public office.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Randall Terry, South Florida Sun Sentinel, Sept. 25, 2012
Eugene Vindman. First-term U.S. representative since Jan. 3, 2025. Retired Army officer who served from 1997 to 2022, including as a JAG attorney and National Security Council deputy legal adviser.
Sources: GovTrack, Eugene Vindman, VPM News, June 16, 2026, Office site, About
Command of the job
Knows the issues and knows what the office can and cannot do.
Alaha Ahrar. No public record found.
Joshua Ertle. No public record found.
Taner Demirci Lopez. Published positions through Ballotpedia's survey and his campaign site, including a draft immigration bill and tax and health care proposals.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Taner Demirci Lopez, survey, Campaign site, home
Doug Ollivant. Publishes positions on energy, agriculture, housing, taxes, border security, foreign policy, veterans and other issues on his campaign site, mostly in general terms. Has not completed Ballotpedia's 2026 survey.
Sources: Campaign site, Issues, Ballotpedia, Douglas Ollivant
Randall Terry. Campaign site states a position on abortion and on Virginia's 2026 Amendment 1 in general terms. Has not completed Ballotpedia's 2026 survey.
Eugene Vindman. Sits on the House Agriculture and Armed Services committees. Led a bipartisan synthetic opioid bill that passed the Energy and Commerce Committee in June 2026 and introduced a bipartisan VA staffing accountability bill.
Sources: GovTrack, committee membership, Fredericksburg Free Press, June 27, 2026, Fredericksburg Free Press, June 30, 2026
Communication
Explains plainly, persuades, and listens.
Alaha Ahrar. No public record found.
Joshua Ertle. No public record found.
Taner Demirci Lopez. Completed Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey and publishes plain-language proposals on his campaign site.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Taner Demirci Lopez, Campaign site, home
Doug Ollivant. Publishes issue pages and took part in two 2026 candidate forums. Has not completed Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey.
Sources: Campaign site, Issues, Potomac Local News, June 19, 2026, VPM News, July 7, 2026, Ballotpedia, Douglas Ollivant
Randall Terry. Campaign site publishes position statements and television ads. Has not completed Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey.
Eugene Vindman. Offers an office newsletter and publishes issue positions on his campaign site. Has not completed Ballotpedia's 2026 survey and did not join the only announced 2026 general election debate.
Sources: Office site, home page, Ballotpedia, Eugene Vindman, campaign themes, The Free Lance-Star, Sept. 14, 2026, 'Vindman to miss first announced debate' (summary as published in the paper's search feed)
Roots in the constituency
Lives there, knows the people, and is funded by them.
Alaha Ahrar. Lives in Dumfries in Prince William County, inside the district.
Sources: The Free Lance-Star, Sept. 14, 2026, Virginia Department of Elections, November 3, 2026 federal offices candidate list (rev. 9/14/2026)
Joshua Ertle. The Department of Elections candidate list gives an address in Alexandria, Fairfax County, which is outside the 7th District.
Source: Virginia Department of Elections, November 3, 2026 federal offices candidate list (rev. 9/14/2026)
Taner Demirci Lopez. Lives in Locust Grove, Orange County, inside the district.
Sources: The Free Lance-Star, Sept. 14, 2026, Virginia Department of Elections, November 3, 2026 federal offices candidate list (rev. 9/14/2026)
Doug Ollivant. Lives in Culpeper County, inside the district, having moved there in 2020. FEC by-state totals for 2025 to 2026 show about 70 percent of individual contributions from Virginia ($146,885.12 of $210,561.39).
Sources: Fredericksburg Free Press, June 4, 2026, Potomac Local News, June 19, 2026, Prince William Times, Aug. 4, 2026, FEC contribution totals by state
Randall Terry. Official records list a Tennessee address: Bartlett, TN on the Department of Elections candidate list and Ellendale, TN on his FEC candidate record. Also filed for U.S. House seats in New Jersey and Hawaii in 2026.
Sources: Virginia Department of Elections, November 3, 2026 federal offices candidate list (rev. 9/14/2026), FEC candidate record, Ballotpedia, Randall Terry
Eugene Vindman. Lives in Dale City in Prince William County, inside the district. FEC by-state totals for 2025 to 2026 show about 17 percent of individual contributions from Virginia ($828,680.87 of $4,933,523.32).
Sources: VPM News, June 16, 2026, Office site, About, FEC contribution totals by state
Management
Can build and run an organization.
Alaha Ahrar. Campaign committee reports are on file with the FEC through June 30, 2026 ($115 raised). No FEC administrative fine record found.
Sources: FEC candidate page, financial totals, 2025 to 2026, FEC administrative fines search
Joshua Ertle. No public record found.
Taner Demirci Lopez. No public record found.
Doug Ollivant. Managing partner of Mantid International, LLC, a consulting firm with offices in five cities, since 2012. Campaign reports on file with the FEC with no administrative fine record.
Sources: New America, Douglas Ollivant profile, The Free Lance-Star, Sept. 14, 2026, FEC candidate page, financial totals, 2025 to 2026, FEC administrative fines search
Randall Terry. Campaign committees are on file with the FEC. No FEC administrative fine record found.
Sources: FEC committees for candidate H6VA07312, FEC administrative fines search
Eugene Vindman. Campaign committee reports are on file with the FEC through July 15, 2026. No FEC administrative fine record found.
Sources: FEC candidate page, financial totals, 2025 to 2026, FEC administrative fines search
What they deliver
Performance
Results
Turns ideas into outcomes.
Alaha Ahrar. No public record found.
Joshua Ertle. No public record found.
Taner Demirci Lopez. No public record found.
Doug Ollivant. No public record found.
Randall Terry. No public record found.
Eugene Vindman. No public record found.
Showing up
Does the basic work of the job.
Alaha Ahrar. No public record found.
Joshua Ertle. No public record found.
Taner Demirci Lopez. No public record found.
Doug Ollivant. No public record found.
Randall Terry. No public record found.
Eugene Vindman. Missed 5 of 676 roll call votes, 0.7 percent, from January 2025 to September 2026.
Source: GovTrack, missed votes
Constituent service
Solves problems for the people they represent.
Alaha Ahrar. No public record found.
Joshua Ertle. No public record found.
Taner Demirci Lopez. No public record found.
Doug Ollivant. No public record found.
Randall Terry. No public record found.
Eugene Vindman. Two district offices, in Woodbridge and Fredericksburg, and a casework service. Hosted veterans roundtables in Fredericksburg and Stafford in August 2026 and presented federal grants across the district in March 2026.
Sources: Office site, Offices, Office site, home page, casework, Fredericksburg Free Press, Aug. 10, 2026, Fredericksburg Free Press, Aug. 26, 2026, The Free Lance-Star, Aug. 27, 2026 (summary as published in the paper's search feed), Fredericksburg Free Press, March 11, 2026
Coalition building
Wins support beyond their own faction.
Alaha Ahrar. No public record found.
Joshua Ertle. No public record found.
Taner Demirci Lopez. No public record found.
Doug Ollivant. No public record found.
Randall Terry. No public record found.
Eugene Vindman. No Lugar Center Bipartisan Index score; the latest posted House scores cover the 118th Congress. Led a bipartisan bill with Rep. Bob Latta (R) that passed committee and introduced a bipartisan VA bill with Rep. Abe Hamadeh (R).
Sources: Lugar Center Bipartisan Index page, latest listed House scores, Fredericksburg Free Press, June 27, 2026, Fredericksburg Free Press, June 30, 2026
Stewardship of public money
Treats tax dollars as someone else's money.
Alaha Ahrar. No public record found.
Joshua Ertle. No public record found.
Taner Demirci Lopez. No public record found.
Doug Ollivant. No public record found.
Randall Terry. No public record found.
Eugene Vindman. 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 7th Congressional District?
Eugene Vindman has the strongest record in Virginia's 7th Congressional District. Eugene Vindman scores 62 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of Doug Ollivant at 53, as of October 5, 2026. Eugene Vindman's highest marks are showing up and courage. Doug Ollivant's highest marks are relevant experience. Alaha Ahrar (3 of 15 criteria), Joshua Ertle (1 of 15 criteria), Taner Demirci Lopez (3 of 15 criteria) and Randall Terry (6 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 7th Congressional District in 2026?
Alaha Ahrar (Independent), Joshua E. Ertle (Independent), Taner E. Demirci Lopez (Libertarian), Doug A. Ollivant (Republican), Randall A. Terry (Independent), Eugene S. Vindman (Democratic, incumbent). The general election is November 3, 2026.
Is Alaha Ahrar a good candidate for Congress?
Alaha Ahrar has public evidence on 3 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 Joshua Ertle a good candidate for Congress?
Joshua Ertle has public evidence on 1 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 Taner Demirci Lopez a good candidate for Congress?
Taner Demirci Lopez has public evidence on 3 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 Doug Ollivant a good candidate for Congress?
Doug Ollivant scores 53 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 9 of 15 criteria: character 50 of 100, qualifications 55 of 100, performance no record. The standard measures character, qualifications and performance, not policy positions.
Is Randall Terry a good candidate for Congress?
Randall Terry has public evidence on 6 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 Eugene Vindman a good candidate for Congress?
Eugene Vindman scores 62 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 13 of 15 criteria: character 55 of 100, qualifications 60 of 100, performance 75 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.