James Shea
Democratic candidate for U.S. House in Virginia
VA-01 Democratic nominee?
$21.8K
AUG 5, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Live Odds — VA-01 Democratic nominee?
Current prediction-market probability for the candidate, updated as market prices change.
0%chance to win
$21.8KAUG 5, 2026Candidate Overview
Key details about the candidate’s background, party, office sought and current campaign.
Current roleHigh school economics teacher
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyModerate Democrat
LocationVirginia
BackgroundHigh school economics teacher
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Notable personal detailsJames Michael Shea is a Democratic candidate for the U.S. House in Virginia’s 1st Congressional District (VA-01) in the 2026 election cycle. He filed a statement of candidacy with the Federal Election Commission in July 2025 and is running as a challenger. He has been described by the Democratic Party of Virginia as a high school economics teacher.
SourcesShowHide
Political Positions
Economy & Taxes
James Shea supports fiscal responsibility and balancing the federal budget while protecting Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. He criticizes concentration of wealth and calls for an economy that creates opportunities for the working class. His campaign materials do not provide explicit tax-rate proposals or detailed plans for raising or cutting taxes.
Healthcare
Supports protecting Medicare and Medicaid and preserving the social safety net while pursuing fiscal responsibility. Has campaigned on defending Medicaid benefits for families with disabled children and protecting Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security.
Latest News
James Shea is in the news because he is one of the Democrats running in Virginia’s 1st Congressional District primary. The race has been the focus of recent coverage as voters chose a nominee to challenge Republican Rep. Rob Wittman in the general election. The latest reports center on the primary contest and the broader Virginia House election landscape, but they do not provide a clear result for Shea specifically.
7 Democratic candidates vying for chance to unseat Wittman
Virginians head to primary polls that could impact balance of power in Congress
1st District Democrats use forum to try to stand out from the crowd
Virginia's 2026 primary elections: What to know
Campaign Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Campaign finance totals from the latest available reporting period.
2026
LatestCycle 2026
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Polls
- Endorsements