James Shea
VA-01 Democratic nominee?
$13.6K
AUG 5, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleEconomics teacher (Henrico County Public Schools)
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyModerate Democrat
GenderMale
LocationVirginia
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BackgroundEconomics teacher (Henrico County Public Schools)
EducationUniversity of Oregon — degree in Philosophy
Notable personal detailsJames Michael Shea is a Democratic candidate for the U.S. House in Virginia’s 1st Congressional District in the 2026 cycle. He works as an economics teacher with Henrico County Public Schools. He previously worked as a journalist at newspapers in Colorado, North Carolina, and Virginia. Shea earned degrees in philosophy and in journalism and communication from the University of Oregon.
SourcesShowHide
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.
News
James Shea is one of the Democratic candidates running in Virginia’s 1st Congressional District, and he is in the news because the field recently held a forum ahead of the primary. The candidates used the event to lay out positions on issues like rural hospitals, Medicaid, taxes, student debt, broadband access, and bipartisan cooperation. The primary is set to conclude on August 4, with early voting beginning June 18.
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 20262026
LatestCycle 2026
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
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- Endorsements