MANASSAS, Va. — Democratic Congressmen Eugene Vindman (VA-7) and Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10) appeared before a packed audience Friday morning at the Prince William Chamber of Commerce’s new headquarters to reflect on their first 100 days in office.
The event, titled “The First 100 Days: Our Freshmen Congressmen’s Perspective,” was moderated by UVA Health Chief External Affairs Officer Jen Siciliano and offered a sweeping look at the challenges facing Northern Virginia and the nation.
Both lawmakers, elected in November 2024, emphasized the urgency of their work amid what they described as a time of national “chaos” and “uncertainty” that has rattled communities, economies, and institutions alike.
“We’re facing unprecedented circumstances — not just politically, but economically and institutionally,” said Subramanyam, a former state legislator and Obama-era White House tech advisor. “Even the most seasoned members of Congress haven’t seen anything like this, so in many ways, freshmen like us are just as prepared.”
Vindman: “Smart Growth” Vision and Focus on Democracy
In a one-on-one interview after the event, Rep. Vindman told Potomac Local News that his long-term vision for Northern Virginia centers on “smart growth through smart-funded infrastructure,” which includes bringing more industry to the region and capitalizing on the area’s strong schools and educational institutions. However, he cautioned that his immediate focus remains on “preserving the republic.”
That, Vindman said, means protecting Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, “especially for families like Shannon and Luca’s in Stafford County, who rely on Medicaid for 24-hour care,” he said. He also called for defending democratic norms and due process. “We have to hold the line on what America stands for,” he said.
Response to Book Spending Allegations
Vindman had no comment when asked about a New York Post report that his campaign spent nearly $39,000 at a Florida bookstore where his brother, Alexander Vindman, held book signings.
Chamber CEO Sweeney: “Fantastic Kickoff” to New Headquarters
Prince William Chamber of Commerce CEO Robert “Bob” Sweeney praised the event as a “fantastic kickoff” to the organization’s new home and called the conversation “refreshing and honest.”
“Having two freshman congressmen that serve in this unpredictable, uncertain time was wonderful,” Sweeney said. “They really shed light on what’s possible, what to look forward to, and what to be concerned about.”
While some attendees expressed concerns about immigration and workforce shortages, Sweeney said he hadn’t directly heard of businesses losing employees due to immigration issues. Instead, he highlighted how major industries — including healthcare and tech — are banding together to weather economic turbulence.
“Inova, Kaiser, Sentara, UVA Health, AWS, Google, and Iron Mountain were all in the same room this week trying to figure this out together,” he said.
One bright spot came from UVA Health, which Sweeney said has fully resolved its nursing shortage by training high school graduates for entry-level clinical roles and supporting them toward becoming registered nurses. “They’ve built a pipeline — no open nursing positions today,” he said.
On the other hand, retail businesses in Manassas City were described as “very, very concerned.” According to Sweeney, while the impact of tariffs hasn’t yet shown up on expense reports, foot traffic has dropped as consumers tighten discretionary spending. “We’ll see how it plays out, but our members are watching it closely,” he said.
Economic Warning Signs and Workforce Concerns
Both congressmen warned that tariffs, federal spending cuts, and efforts to relocate federal agencies to red states are threatening the region’s economic stability. Vindman, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, said his district could lose billions in economic activity if current policies continue. Subramanyam added that unpredictability is deterring businesses from investing in innovation and long-term growth.
“You can’t plan if you don’t know what tomorrow brings,” Vindman said. “That’s the worst environment for business.”
In one of the first major events at the Prince William Chamber of Commerce’s new headquarters, Northern Virginia’s two newest congressmen will share insights from their first 100 days in office.
“The First 100 Days: Our Freshmen Congressmen’s Perspective” will take place Friday, April 25, 2025, from 8 to 10 a.m. at the Chamber’s new office, located at 9733 Buchanan Loop, Manassas. The event is open to Chamber members; admission is $10, with proceeds benefiting the Chamber Foundation. Breakfast will be served.
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Rep. Eugene Vindman, a Virginia Democrat and former whistleblower, criticized President Donald Trump’s second term, calling its first 45 days an “abomination” during an MSNBC appearance. In response, the White House issued a scathing statement, dismissing Vindman’s remarks as “moronic” and accusing him of having “Trump Derangement Syndrome.” (The Center Square)
VA Facility Opens with Questions about Staffing
A new 470,000-square-foot Veterans Administration medical facility in Spotsylvania County, designed to serve over 40,000 veterans, opened with significant staffing shortages. Due to a federal hiring freeze enacted by President Trump’s executive order in January, between 70% and 80% of positions—excluding doctors and nurses—remain unfilled, raising concerns about the quality of care available to veterans in the region. (FXBG Advance)
Iconic Paperboy Statue ‘Lance’ Returns to Downtown Fredericksburg
The bronze statue “Lance,” symbolizing the historic role of newsboys and once stationed outside The Free Lance–Star newspaper’s downtown office, has been relocated back to its original area near The Publisher Hotel. After the newspaper’s move in 2016, Lance remained at the Central Park location until Mary Washington Healthcare facilitated its return, underscoring the community’s dedication to preserving local history.(Fredericksburg Free Press)
Stafford County Deputy Assists Mama Pig in Unusual Predicament
A Stafford County Sheriff’s deputy responded to a call about a pig in distress and found a pregnant sow stuck in a muddy ditch. The deputy collaborated with local animal control to safely rescue the pig, showcasing the department’s commitment to all community members, human and animal alike. (InsideNoVa)
On January 7, the U.S. House of Representatives convened for the first session of the 119th Congress and passed H.R. 29, the "Riley Laken Act," with bipartisan support.
The bill is named in memory of Riley Laken, a 22-year-old nursing student tragically murdered in February 2024 while jogging on the University of Georgia campus. Her assailant, José Antonio Ibarra, a 26-year-old Venezuelan national who entered the U.S. illegally, was convicted and sentenced to life in prison without parole.
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Republican candidate Derrick Anderson officially conceded his race for Virginia’s 7th Congressional District on November 7, 2024.
His Democratic opponent, Eugene Vindman, claimed victory on Election Night, securing 50.94% of the vote in Prince William County compared to Anderson’s 48.79%. Prince William, the district's most populous jurisdiction, played a crucial role in the outcome.
Anderson’s campaign focused heavily on voter outreach across the district, particularly in Prince William County. He noted his efforts to connect with voters in the area, saying his team “did well in Prince William” by visiting locations like Todos and other local businesses to address issues such as rising electricity costs. His strategy resonated strongly in precincts like Colgan and Quantico, where he led with 54.90% and 54.70% of the vote, respectively.
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In Virginia’s highly contested 7th Congressional District race, Democratic candidate Eugene S. Vindman currently leads Republican Derrick M. Anderson by a narrow 12,750 votes, with Vindman tallying 152,136 votes to Anderson’s 139,386.
However, Anderson’s campaign has emphasized that the race remains undecided, with significant numbers of ballots still uncounted and Orange County’s Election Day results not yet published.
“Simply put, like so many other races across the country, this race remains too close to call,” Anderson stated. “And like many other races across the country, it has not been called by any major media outlet. The reality is that there are thousands of outstanding ballots to count. In fact, according to the VA Dept. of Elections, Orange County hasn’t published any Election Day votes.”
We told you last night that Vindman declared victory.Â
In Orange County, so far, Vindman captured 4,174 votes, or 42.74%, while Anderson received 5,569 votes, or 57.02%. Anderson’s campaign expects the final tally here could play a significant role in the district’s outcome. “Many of those ballots will be counted today,” Anderson added. “Our team is deploying out to canvasses across all 11 localities in VA07 to get an accurate read on all the votes outstanding.”
The breakdown of votes in other counties shows Prince William County delivered the highest number of votes to Vindman, with 74,834 compared to Anderson’s 38,512. In Culpeper County, however, Anderson claimed a substantial lead, capturing 17,335 votes to Vindman’s 10,349. Other counties, including Spotsylvania and Greene, followed similar trends, with Anderson leading in more rural areas while Vindman garnered stronger support in urban and suburban regions.
The campaign also noted that the Virginia Department of Elections has a Friday deadline for voters to cure ballots that were rejected for various reasons. “We will be working hard to ensure that every vote is counted,” Anderson said, urging voters whose ballots were initially rejected to take action before the deadline.
Anderson criticized a local media entity for what he described as “misinformation” after an incorrect race call led to confusion. “To be exceedingly clear: this media entity gave Virginia voters misinformation at a critical point during an election,” he said. “We ask that, given the amount of misinformation already going around today, any outlet with questions please reach out to us immediately.”
As final counts and cures continue, both campaigns remain vigilant, with Anderson’s team actively tracking remaining ballots across the district’s 11 localities to ensure every vote is accounted for.
More as we have it.
Updated 11:52 p.m -- In a tightly contested race, Eugene Vindman emerged victorious over Republican Derrick M. Anderson in Virginia's 7th Congressional District, securing a seat that will keep the district under Democratic control. Vindman’s win fills the seat previously held by Abigail Spanberger, who chose not to seek re-election and is widely speculated to be considering a run for Virginia governor in 2025.
However, Anderson has not conceded the race. "The media calling the #VA07 race before all votes have been reported is premature. This is still too close to call," Anderson posted to X. "Over ten thousand votes - including Election Day votes, early votes, & mail-in votes - are yet to be reported. This race & the voters deserve more time."
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On Monday, November 4, Senator Tim Kaine (D) and Eugene Vindman spoke briefly to a small gathering in downtown Fredericksburg. Kaine is running again for Virginia Senate, and Vindman, a Democrat, is for the 7th Congressional District.
Kaine said, "Virginia is going to send a message," noting that the state is often among the first to report election results and saying, "Virginia's looking solid for Kamala." Kaine noted that his campaign has held around 220 events this season, not including interviews, fundraisers, and Senate duties.
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From The Center Square
Despite Democrat Eugene Vindman raising more than five times as much as his Republican opponent Derrick Anderson, the race for Virginia's 7th District remains tight.
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From New York Post:
Trump whistleblower and Virginia congressional candidate Eugene Vindman refuses to answer questions about his business dealings in Ukraine, which started after he took more than a dozen taxpayer-funded trips to the war-torn nation.
