Congressional Primaries by Year

While the overall number of Congressional primaries remains steady, this year has the fewest contested Republican primaries since VPAP began tracking them in 2012, with only three districts holding Republican contests this year.

For the first time, all of these nomination contests will be state run primaries. In past years, many districts used party run conventions or firehouse primaries to choose their nominees. But a new law effectively requires a state run primary by mandating that the method of nomination allows all eligible voters to participate, including active duty service members and students attending out of state universities.

Note: Excludes withdrawn candidates, even if their name appeared on the ballot.

Sources: Virginia Dept. of Elections and VPAP research.