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Democrat

Salaam Bhatti

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Democrat

Salaam Bhatti

Website

VA-05 Democratic nominee?

$1.4K

AUG 5, 2026

Primary Election

Party selects its nominee.

Overview

Current roleAttorney

PartyDemocratic

Political ideologyProgressive Democrat

LocationVirginia

BackgroundAttorney

Notable personal detailsAta-ul-Salaam “Salaam” Bhatti is a Democratic candidate for the U.S. House in Virginia’s 1st Congressional District in the 2026 election cycle. He has been described as a public interest lawyer with the Virginia Poverty Law Center and has worked on efforts related to expanding eligibility for federal food assistance and school meals in Virginia. His campaign website describes him as a husband and a father of two boys.

SourcesShow

fec.gov docquery.fec.gov salaamforva.com vpm.org vademocrats.org lancova.com northumberlandvadems.org democraticunderground.com developer.ballotpedia.org thecandidate.com buckscounty.gov bluevoterguide.org capitolhillaccess.com secure.actblue.com m.thegreenpapers.com reddit.com delcopa.gov elections.es.virginia.gov burlingtoncountynj.gov en.wikipedia.org bluevirginia.us rvamag.com tax.virginia.gov whro.org elections.virginia.gov youaredone.org virginia.gov lalota.house.gov historical.elections.virginia.gov elections.zh-cn.virginia.gov arxiv.org congress.gov govinfo.gov facebook.com localcandidates.org x.com virginiamercury.com news.ballotpedia.org ballotpedia.org pilotonline.com predictionedge.com instagram.com linkedin.com ballotready.org disclosures-clerk.house.gov wikidata.org votesmart.org justfacts.votesmart.org

Positions

LiberalConservative

Economy & Taxes

Supports significantly higher taxes on the ultra-wealthy and corporations and proposes using those revenues to reduce national debt and expand social programs (including Medicare for All, living wages, and expanded safety-net benefits). Advocates taxing billionaires to “unrig the system” and increase investment in basic needs for working families.

Healthcare

Supports universal health care and has expressed support for Medicare for All while acknowledging implementation challenges and the need to expand medical workforce capacity. Campaign materials promise to "guarantee health care for all."

Abortion & Reproductive Rights

The candidate has publicly stated support for protecting reproductive rights and said they will fight for women’s reproductive rights. No detailed policy positions on limits or federal codification were found in the available sources.

News

AINews Summary

Last updatedJul 15, 2026

Salaam Bhatti is one of seven Democrats running in Virginia’s 1st Congressional District primary to challenge Republican Rep. Rob Wittman. He has been taking part in candidate forums ahead of the August 4 primary, where contenders are laying out their positions on issues like healthcare, affordability, taxes, student debt, broadband, and bipartisan cooperation. Early voting begins June 18.

fec.gov+47

Articles

NVNorfolk Virginian-Pilot2 months ago