Election 2026 Archives - Potomac Local News

Published July 14, 2026 at 11:39AM

Prince William County is preparing its response to a detailed U.S. Department of Justice request for information about its Spanish-language election program, with a federal deadline of July 20.

In a June 22 letter, the DOJ’s Voting Section asked Director of Elections Eric Olsen for extensive data to evaluate the county’s compliance with Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act, which requires language assistance for Spanish-speaking voters. The department also notified the county that federal election monitors will observe the August 4, 2026 primary.

News

Rightward Turn in Northern Virginia as Redistricting Passes Narrowly

By Uriah Kiser

Published April 22, 2026 at 11:00AM

Virginia voters narrowly approved a constitutional amendment on April 21, 2026, allowing the General Assembly to redraw the state’s congressional districts mid-decade. Unofficial results from the Virginia Department of Elections show the “Yes” vote received 1,574,505 votes (51.45%) to 1,485,657 “No” votes (48.55%) — a margin of roughly 88,848 votes, or about 2.9 percentage points.

The measure now faces significant legal uncertainty. Multiple challenges — primarily originating in Tazewell County Circuit Court — are pending before the Supreme Court of Virginia. These cases argue that the General Assembly violated procedural rules, the single-subject requirement for constitutional amendments, and that the ballot language was materially misleading about the proposal’s scope and duration.

Manassas

Helen Zurita Joins Race for Manassas City Council

By Potomac Local News

Published April 6, 2026 at 3:00PM

Helen Zurita, a longtime Manassas resident and community organizer, announced her candidacy Monday for one of three open seats on the Manassas City Council.

Zurita, who works as a community liaison for the nonprofit Creating Foundations for Hope, which supports hunger relief efforts, said her campaign focuses on practical leadership that puts working families and neighborhoods first. She emphasized protecting the city’s character while encouraging responsible growth, strengthening trust between residents and local government, and ensuring every part of the community feels heard.

Manassas

Manassas councilwoman Theresa Coates Ellis seeks re-election in 2026

By Uriah Kiser

Published February 2, 2026 at 10:51AM

Manassas City Councilwoman Theresa Coates Ellis announced she is running for re-election in the Tuesday, November 3, 2026, general election. Ellis is currently serving her second four-year term on the City Council, according to a campaign announcement.

Ellis highlighted fiscal responsibility, smart growth, education, and communication as her top priorities if re-elected. She said the city must balance affordable taxes with public safety, infrastructure maintenance, and responsible economic development. “We must focus on the needs of our residents while keeping taxes affordable,” Ellis said in the announcement.

Prince William

Mayoral race takes shape in Dumfries with Wood, Fields announcements

By Uriah Kiser

Published January 11, 2026 at 7:00PM

Wood/Fields

Two announcements this week set the stage for a contested mayoral race in the Town of Dumfries: incumbent Mayor Derrick R. Wood confirmed plans to seek another term, and Town Council Member Brian Fields formally launched his campaign for mayor.

Mayor Wood, who has led Dumfries since 2018, issued a statement clarifying his intentions after what he described as recent outreach from residents, business owners, and community leaders seeking certainty ahead of the upcoming election.

Manassas

Early-voting surge highlights need for bigger election facilities in Manassas

By Potomac Local News

Published December 16, 2025 at 1:00PM

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Politics

Doug Ollivant: ‘I Woke Up and Eugene Vindman Was My Congressman — Unacceptable’

By Uriah Kiser

Published November 13, 2025 at 1:00PM

Doug Ollivant, a retired U.S. Army officer and former National Security Council director, has announced his campaign for Virginia’s 7th Congressional District — a politically competitive seat stretching from eastern Prince William County through Stafford, Spotsylvania, Fredericksburg, and west to Culpeper, Greene, and a small slice of Albemarle County.

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Politics

Spotsy School Board member Dr. Lorita “Rita” Daniels Announces Campaign for U.S. Senate

By Uriah Kiser

Published November 13, 2025 at 10:00AM

Daniels

“As we honor our veterans, we must move beyond ceremonial gratitude,” Dr. Lorita “Rita” C. Daniels announced. “Service requires action. It requires accountability. It requires leadership grounded in real experience and a commitment to listening before legislating. I am running for the U.S. Senate because Virginians deserve a leader who is present, who pays attention, and who stands up for people, not political agendas.”

“This is not about bureaucracy. This is about people,” Daniels said. “We must ensure that every veteran has timely access to high-quality care, that oversight is strong, that caregivers are supported, and that taxpayer investments are used transparently and responsibly. That is leadership.”

News

Doug Ollivant Just Jumped Into the VA-7 Race Against Tara Durant

By Uriah Kiser

Published September 16, 2025 at 9:30AM

Olivant

CULPEPER COUNTY, Va. – We just heard from retired Army Lt. Col. Doug Ollivant—he’s officially in the race for Congress in Virginia’s 7th District. That means he’ll face State Sen. Tara Durant in the 2026 Republican primary, with the winner taking on Democrat Rep. Eugene Vindman in November.

Ollivant, who lives in Culpeper County, says his campaign will focus on cutting government spending, strengthening the military, securing the border, and supporting families. He’s a father of seven, a grandfather of two, and a veteran of two combat tours in Iraq.

Politics

Tara Durant Launches Bid to Unseat Eugene Vindman in Virginia’s 7th District

By Potomac Local News

Published June 20, 2025 at 9:00AM

Delegate Tara Durant (R-Fredericksburg, Stafford)

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – Virginia State Senator Tara Durant (R) announced her campaign for Congress on June 18, 2025, setting up a high-stakes showdown with incumbent Rep. Eugene Vindman (D) in Virginia’s 7th Congressional District.

“As a mom, Marine wife, and conservative fighter, I’ve spent my life standing up for faith, family, and freedom,” Durant said in her announcement. “As a State Senator, I partnered with Governor Glenn Youngkin to cut taxes, back the blue, and fight back against the far-left agenda. Now I’m running for Congress to take that same fight to Washington and work with President Trump to secure our border, fully fund our police, end the reckless spending, and restore common-sense leadership.”