Shannon Taylor (D) defeated Salaam Bhatti (D), Jason Knapp (D), and four other candidates in the Democratic primary for Virginia's 1st Congressional District on August 4, 2026. Taylor, Bhatti, and Knapp led in endorsements and fundraising.

Taylor will face incumbent Rob Wittman (R) in the general election. The Virginia Mercury's Shannon Heckt said, "Voters in the area have historically favored Republicans, with 51.6% choosing Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election and 57.8% voting for Glenn Youngkin in 2021, helping send the GOP newcomer to the governor’s mansion. That tide shifted in 2025, when Abigail Spanberger was elected governor with a margin of 51% in the district. Spanberger’s victory supercharged scrutiny from up-ballot Democrats, who saw it as a sign the district could be flipped in the 2026 midterm elections." The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee announced on February 23, 2026, that it would support Taylor through its Red to Blue program.

Taylor was elected Henrico County Commonwealth's Attorney in 2011. She ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic nomination for Virginia Attorney General in 2025. She earlier worked as a prosecutor in Richmond. Taylor completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. In her survey response, Taylor said, "As Henrico's top prosecutor I have tried thousands of cases and put violent criminals, drug traffickers, and abusers behind bars. ... Now, I am running for Congress to prosecute the case against corrupt career politician Rob Wittman -- and make Congress serve the people first." Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) and U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) endorsed Taylor.

Bhatti was, as of the 2026 election, an attorney who worked at the Virginia Poverty Law Center. Bhatti completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. In his survey response, Bhatti said, "Everything is increasing in cost and our wages are not keeping up. Meanwhile, the wealth inequality gap continues to increase. The time is now to fight for families by passing Medicare for All, strengthening our safety net and making it truly efficient, and providing paid parental leave & living wages." State Sen. Saddam Salim (D) and state Dels. Charlie Schmidt (D) and Sam Rasoul (D) endorsed Bhatti.

Knapp was a retired U.S. Navy fighter pilot. Knapp said he was running "because real patriotism isn’t performative. Real patriotism means making sure every family can afford groceries, health care, and a safe place to call home." Knapp completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. In his survey response, Knapp said, "Twenty-one years in the Navy taught me you serve the mission and the people depending on you, not yourself — and I’ll bring that with hard commitments most politicians won’t make: a ban on members of Congress trading stocks, term limits, and my pledge to serve in the House no more than four terms." Former U.S. Del. Madeleine Bordallo (D-Guam) endorsed Knapp.

Also running in the primary were Elizabeth Beggs (D), Tim Cywinski (D), Ericka Kopp (D), and Melvin Tull (D).

As of July 2026, major election forecasters rated the general election Likely Republican or Lean Republican. In 2024, Wittman defeated Leslie Mehta (D) 56.3%–43.5%.