Overview
- Dorothy McAuliffe, a former Virginia first lady and ex–State Department official, launched a Democratic campaign focused on lowering costs, expanding affordable health care, and holding Donald Trump and ICE accountable.
- Within hours, she secured Nancy Pelosi’s endorsement, and her campaign said it raised more than $800,000 in the first 24 hours, alongside support from several prominent Virginia Democrats.
- McAuliffe is running for the proposed 7th District that would stretch from Arlington to western Augusta County, with voters deciding the redistricting amendment on April 21; early voting is underway.
- Republicans have challenged the legality of the map, and the Virginia Supreme Court has signaled it will consider those cases after ballots are cast.
- She joins a crowded Aug. 4 Democratic primary that includes Del. Dan Helmer and former federal prosecutor J.P. Cooney, as the current 7th District is represented by Democrat Eugene Vindman.