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Federal

U.S. Representative, 7th Congressional District

Vote for
1
Term
2 years
Candidates
6
Election
Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: A member of the U.S. House of Representatives votes on federal laws, taxes and spending on behalf of the district.

Localities in the district (all or part): Albemarle County, Caroline County, Culpeper County, City of Fredericksburg, Greene County, King George County, Madison County, Orange County, Prince William County, Spotsylvania County, Stafford County.

Photo of Doug A. Ollivant
Doug A. OllivantCampaign photo — dougforvirginia.com

Doug A. Ollivant

Republican

Consultant; retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel · Culpeper County

The gist

  • Supports all-of-the-above energy led by small nuclear reactors and gas.
  • Proposes cutting development regulation to increase housing supply.
  • Supports national concealed carry reciprocity.
  • Supports strict immigration enforcement and higher penalties for traffickers.
  • Pledges to maintain Medicare and Medicaid and fund rural hospitals.
  • Proposes shifting VA resources from administration to frontline care.
  • Supports helping farmers sell directly to consumers.
  • Supports policies protecting girls' sports and private spaces.
More about Doug
View sources (2)
  1. Supports all-of-the-above energy led by small nuclear reactors and gas.

    Issues — Doug Ollivant for Congress

    Campaign website · Doug Ollivant for Congress · dougforvirginia.com

    “I support a common sense all-of-the-above approach, with small modular nuclear reactors and natural gas at the center.”
  2. Proposes cutting development regulation to increase housing supply.

    Issues — Doug Ollivant for Congress

    Campaign website · Doug Ollivant for Congress · dougforvirginia.com

    “The best way to increase supply is to reduce regulation for development, redevelopment, and building supply chains”
  3. Supports national concealed carry reciprocity.

    Issues — Doug Ollivant for Congress

    Campaign website · Doug Ollivant for Congress · dougforvirginia.com

    “I support national concealed carry reciprocity so that law-abiding gun owners are not treated as criminals when they cross a state line.”
  4. Supports strict immigration enforcement and higher penalties for traffickers.

    Issues — Doug Ollivant for Congress

    Campaign website · Doug Ollivant for Congress · dougforvirginia.com

    “I support strong enforcement of our immigration laws to stop unlawful entry and deter those who exploit our system. … empowering law enforcement, increasing penalties for traffickers”
  5. Pledges to maintain Medicare and Medicaid and fund rural hospitals.

    7th District Q&A finds candidates sharply divided on what oversight of the president should look like

    Candidate questionnaire · Charlottesville Tomorrow · cvilletomorrow.org

    “Medicare and Medicaid are expensive programs, to be sure, but like Social Security, they are a promise made to the American people.”
  6. Proposes shifting VA resources from administration to frontline care.

    Issues — Doug Ollivant for Congress

    Campaign website · Doug Ollivant for Congress · dougforvirginia.com

    “shifting resources away from administrative overhead and directing them to frontline services like suicide prevention, mental health care, and community-based care programs”
  7. Supports helping farmers sell directly to consumers.

    Issues — Doug Ollivant for Congress

    Campaign website · Doug Ollivant for Congress · dougforvirginia.com

    “We must make it easier for farmers to sell directly to consumers”
  8. Supports policies protecting girls' sports and private spaces.

    Issues — Doug Ollivant for Congress

    Campaign website · Doug Ollivant for Congress · dougforvirginia.com

    “Protecting fairness in competition and ensuring privacy and safety in these spaces isn't about division”
Photo of Taner E. Demirci Lopez
Taner E. Demirci LopezCampaign photo — lopezforva.com

Taner E. Demirci Lopez

Libertarian

Cultural advisor to federal agencies; former college professor

The gist

  • Proposes a 10-year legal work path for undocumented immigrants.
  • Proposes a consent vote for owners near new data centers.
  • Pledges to oppose any bill raising federal taxes.
  • Proposes community care for veterans who wait over 28 days.
  • Proposes estate-tax relief to keep family farms farming.
  • Proposes banning autonomous AI control of weapons of mass destruction.
  • Supports repealing Virginia's constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.
  • Opposes federal involvement in local housing decisions.
More about Taner
View sources (4)
  1. Proposes a 10-year legal work path for undocumented immigrants.

    7th District Q&A finds candidates sharply divided on what oversight of the president should look like

    Candidate questionnaire · Charlottesville Tomorrow · cvilletomorrow.org

    “Qualifying participants would have to register, pass background checks, work legally, and contribute $12,000 toward border security and tax relief for citizens.”
    Taner Lopez for Congress — About His Campaign

    Campaign website · Lopez for Virginia · lopezforva.com

    “Mass deportation is not a practical first answer.”
  2. Proposes a consent vote for owners near new data centers.

    Taner Lopez for Congress — About His Campaign

    Campaign website · Lopez for Virginia · lopezforva.com

    “Directly affected property owners would receive transparent information and a meaningful consent vote before a project moves forward.”
  3. Pledges to oppose any bill raising federal taxes.

    Taner Lopez for Congress — About His Campaign

    Campaign website · Lopez for Virginia · lopezforva.com

    “I will oppose bills that raise federal taxes. I will work to reduce federal spending and the size of federal departments.”
  4. Proposes community care for veterans who wait over 28 days.

    Taner Lopez for Congress — About His Campaign

    Campaign website · Lopez for Virginia · lopezforva.com

    “If the Department of Veterans Affairs cannot provide care within 28 days, the veteran should be able to obtain community care.”
  5. Proposes estate-tax relief to keep family farms farming.

    Taner Lopez for Congress — About His Campaign

    Campaign website · Lopez for Virginia · lopezforva.com

    “Qualifying farms would be valued for estate tax as farms, not as development land.”
  6. Proposes banning autonomous AI control of weapons of mass destruction.

    Taner Lopez for the US House of Representatives

    Campaign website · Lopez for Virginia · lopezforva.com

    “It would prohibit autonomous AI control of weapons of mass destruction and critical systems, require human-controlled emergency shutdown capabilities”
  7. Supports repealing Virginia's constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.

    VPM News Q&A: Doug Ollivant, Eugene Vindman, Taner Lopez

    Candidate questionnaire · VPM News · Sep 18, 2026 · vpm.org

    “I therefore support removing Virginia's constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.”
  8. Opposes federal involvement in local housing decisions.

    7th District Q&A finds candidates sharply divided on what oversight of the president should look like

    Candidate questionnaire · Charlottesville Tomorrow · cvilletomorrow.org

    “Congress should not decide where the 7th District builds houses. County and city boards should keep that power.”
Photo of Alaha Ahrar
Alaha AhrarCampaign photo — alahaahrarforcongress.com

Alaha Ahrar

Independent

Poet, writer and human rights advocate

The gist

  • Pledges to focus on justice, economic opportunity and education reform.
More about Alaha
View sources (1)
  1. Pledges to focus on justice, economic opportunity and education reform.

    Afghanistan-Born Women Launch Bids for U.S. Congress and Swedish Parliament

    News coverage · KabulNow · Jul 3, 2026 · kabulnow.com

    “She said her campaign will focus on justice, economic opportunities, education reform, and stronger social cohesion.”

Joshua E. Ertle

Independent

The gist

  • Supports ending abortion by showing graphic images of its victims.
More about Joshua
View sources (2)
  1. Supports ending abortion by showing graphic images of its victims.

    Joshua Ertle for Congress (archived August 16, 2026)

    Campaign website · Joshua Ertle for Congress · Aug 16, 2026 · web.archive.org

    “To end abortion, we too must show the victims.”
    14 Names You Won't Recognize Are on Virginia's Ballot. Here's Why It Matters Here.

    News coverage · The Fredericksburg Advance · fxbgadvance.com

    “Filing for Congress in Virginia's 7th District gives Terry, and running mate Ertle, the same access here”
Photo of Randall A. Terry
Randall A. TerryCampaign photo — terry.vote

Randall A. Terry

Independent

Anti-abortion activist

The gist

  • Opposes Virginia's Amendment 1 on reproductive freedom.
  • Opposes late-term abortion in Virginia.
More about Randall
View sources (1)
  1. Opposes Virginia's Amendment 1 on reproductive freedom.

    Randall Terry for Congress

    Campaign website · Randall Terry for Congress · terry.vote

    “Vote NO on Virginia's Amendment 1.”
  2. Opposes late-term abortion in Virginia.

    Randall Terry for Congress

    Campaign website · Randall Terry for Congress · terry.vote

    “Say No to late term abortion in Virginia!”
Photo of Eugene S. Vindman
Eugene S. VindmanOfficial portrait — U.S. House of Representatives

Eugene S. Vindman

DemocraticIncumbent

U.S. Representative · Dale City (Prince William County)

The gist

  • Sponsored bills to ban lawmakers from prediction markets and lobbying.
  • Voted against H.R. 1, the 2025 budget reconciliation law.
  • Opposes the proposed Dominion Energy–NextEra merger.
  • Opposes siting data centers near parks, schools and homes.
  • Supports Ballot Question 1 on reproductive freedom.
  • Supports building more housing and limiting Wall Street home purchases.
  • Supports protecting federal workers and rebuilding agencies cut by DOGE.
  • Opposes proposed ICE mega-detention facilities in Stafford and Hanover.
More about Eugene
View sources (3)
  1. Sponsored bills to ban lawmakers from prediction markets and lobbying.

    Issues — Vindman for Congress

    Campaign website · Vindman for Congress · vindmanforcongress.com

    “he is leading the congressional efforts to ban Members of Congress from participating in prediction markets and from lobbying their former colleagues after leaving office”
    7th District Q&A finds candidates sharply divided on what oversight of the president should look like

    Candidate questionnaire · Charlottesville Tomorrow · cvilletomorrow.org

    “Vindman introduced the Sell Your Stocks or Step Down Act in August”
  2. Voted against H.R. 1, the 2025 budget reconciliation law.

    VPM News Q&A: Doug Ollivant, Eugene Vindman, Taner Lopez

    Candidate questionnaire · VPM News · Sep 18, 2026 · vpm.org

    “That's why I voted against H.R. 1 , which is stripping Virginians of health care and driving up costs for families. … I introduced the MISSION Rx Act to lower prescription drug costs for veterans”
  3. Opposes the proposed Dominion Energy–NextEra merger.

    VPM News Q&A: Doug Ollivant, Eugene Vindman, Taner Lopez

    Candidate questionnaire · VPM News · Sep 18, 2026 · vpm.org

    “I was the first member of Virginia's congressional delegation to speak out against the proposed Dominion-NextEra merger.”
  4. Opposes siting data centers near parks, schools and homes.

    Issues — Vindman for Congress

    Campaign website · Vindman for Congress · vindmanforcongress.com

    “He continues to assert that data centers should not be near any National Parks, schools, or near residential communities.”
  5. Supports Ballot Question 1 on reproductive freedom.

    Issues — Vindman for Congress

    Campaign website · Vindman for Congress · vindmanforcongress.com

    “Eugene will vote against any attempt to ban reproductive healthcare including abortion, IVF, or contraceptives.”
    VPM News Q&A: Doug Ollivant, Eugene Vindman, Taner Lopez

    Candidate questionnaire · VPM News · Sep 18, 2026 · vpm.org

    “I support Ballot Question 1.”
  6. Supports building more housing and limiting Wall Street home purchases.

    VPM News Q&A: Doug Ollivant, Eugene Vindman, Taner Lopez

    Candidate questionnaire · VPM News · Sep 18, 2026 · vpm.org

    “We need to build more housing, stop Wall Street from buying up single-family homes, and, most importantly, make homeownership affordable again.”
  7. Supports protecting federal workers and rebuilding agencies cut by DOGE.

    Issues — Vindman for Congress

    Campaign website · Vindman for Congress · vindmanforcongress.com

    “rebuilding agencies weakened by DOGE-driven cuts and chaos”
  8. Opposes proposed ICE mega-detention facilities in Stafford and Hanover.

    Issues — Vindman for Congress

    Campaign website · Vindman for Congress · vindmanforcongress.com

    “he joined community leaders in standing against proposed U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement mega-detention facilities in Stafford and Hanover”

Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 8 issues covered in this race.