The Prince William County Democratic Committee and the Stafford Democratic Committee will hold an unassembled caucus on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, to select the Democratic nominee for the 23rd District seat in the Virginia House of Delegates.
Voting will take place from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. at two locations: the Dumfries Community Center, 17757 Main St. in Prince William County, and Porter Branch Library, Room 3, 2001 Parkway Blvd. in Stafford County.
The caucus comes following incoming Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s (D) appointment of Candi Mundon King as secretary of the commonwealth. King will vacate the seat she has held in the 23rd District since 2021.
The committees announced two qualified candidates for the nomination: Woodbridge District Supervisor Margaret Angela Franklin and Muhammed “Sef” Casim, a Dumfries resident and small business owner.
Any voter registered in the 23rd District who agrees with the Democratic Party’s values and meets the participation requirements outlined in the call to caucus will be eligible to vote at either location, according to the committees.
The full call to caucus and declaration of candidacy forms are available through the Prince William County Democratic Committee and Stafford Democratic Committee websites, or by request from the PWCDC chair.
Franklin: County supervisor with Capitol Hill background
Franklin, 39, currently represents the Woodbridge District on the Prince William County Board of Supervisors, a seat she has held since 2020. She was reelected in 2023 and has served in leadership roles, including vice chair of the board, chair of OmniRide, and chair of the Virginia Railway Express Operations Board.
Before entering local government, Franklin worked on Capitol Hill, serving as a legislative director and senior legislative assistant for members of Congress. She holds a master’s degree in public administration from Howard University and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
As a supervisor, Franklin has focused on affordable housing initiatives, public transportation, public safety investments, and economic development. She has also played a role in countywide efforts tied to equity, sustainability, and workforce development.
Franklin announced her candidacy for the House of Delegates following the vacancy in the 23rd District, which includes parts of Prince William and Stafford counties.
Casim: Small business owner running on affordability, accountability
Casim, 35, lives in Dumfries and operates a website and mobile application development firm, serving local clients and growing companies. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Mary Washington and graduated from Stafford High School.
While Casim has not previously held elected office, he said he has been active in local civic life, including volunteering with a local food bank and participating in Democratic Party organizations.
Casim said his campaign is centered on affordability, responsible growth, and oversight of data centers.
“Virginia can support economic growth without sacrificing community stability or affordability,” Casim said in a written statement. “I am not anti-technology, but I am firmly pro-community and pro-accountability.”
He has called for greater transparency around data center tax exemptions, statewide standards for siting and buffer zones, and protections for residential electric ratepayers. Casim has also said he supports workforce housing and targeted property tax relief for seniors and working families.
Casim and his wife, a Brooke Point High School graduate, are raising two young children in the area.
