U.S. Rep. James R. Walkinshaw, a Democrat, is running for a full term representing Virginia's 11th Congressional District in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. The district covers much of Fairfax County.

Walkinshaw is certified for the ballot, according to BallotReady election data. He faces Republican Arthur G. Purves and Green Party candidate Dianne L. Blais.

Candidate information

  • Party: Democratic
  • Hometown: Grew up in Prince William County, Virginia, according to his campaign website
  • Education: Bachelor's degree in politics, New York University (2005)
  • Current office: U.S. Representative, Virginia's 11th Congressional District (since Sept. 10, 2025)

Experience and public service

Before entering Congress, Walkinshaw served as Braddock District supervisor on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors from 2020 to September 2025, according to his official congressional biography.

He chaired the Virginia Railway Express Operations Board in 2023 and chaired the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board. In Congress, he founded and co-chairs the Congressional Federal Workforce Caucus.

Earlier in his career, Walkinshaw worked as chief of staff in the office of then-Rep. Gerald Connolly in 2009, according to his official biography. He also managed the Connolly for Chairman campaign in 2007 and Connolly's 2008 congressional bid, and managed the Hurst for Congress campaign in 2006, according to BallotReady.

On the issues

The following positions are drawn from Walkinshaw's campaign website and official congressional biography. They reflect the candidate's own stated views.

Federal workforce: Walkinshaw said he is focused on protecting the nonpartisan civil service, supporting fair pay, benefits and treatment for federal employees, strengthening oversight of federal procurement and information technology, and holding the administration accountable. He said he founded the Congressional Federal Workforce Caucus to defend a merit-based civil service and ensure federal workers can serve the American people free from political interference.

Affordable housing: Walkinshaw said he supports legislation to strengthen the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, increase funding for the Housing Trust Fund, and incentivize local governments to reform restrictive zoning laws to allow more housing options.

Health care: Walkinshaw said he supports legislation to lower prescription drug prices, expand access to primary and mental health care, and protect the Affordable Care Act. He said he would oppose cuts to the National Institutes of Health, Planned Parenthood and life-saving research, and defend Medicaid and Medicare from what he called Republican attempts to cut them.

Climate and environment: Walkinshaw said he supports bold federal investments in clean energy innovation, energy efficiency and electrification. He said he would fight to strengthen protections for clean air and water and accelerate restoration of the Chesapeake Bay. He is a member of the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition, according to his official biography.

Gun safety: Walkinshaw said he supports legislation to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, close the Charleston loophole, require background checks on all gun sales, and oppose federal concealed carry mandates that override state protections. He said that as a Fairfax County supervisor, he led the effort to pass an ordinance banning guns in county buildings, libraries, recreation centers and parks.

Endorsements

The following endorsement has been reported by the endorsing organization, according to BallotReady:

  • AFL-CIO

Policy positions and biographical claims attributed to the candidate are drawn from his campaign website and official congressional pages. The Vienna Ledger did not independently verify each claim. Responses from other candidates in this race will be published separately as profiles are completed.