The four House districts that could decide Virginia’s future

By Shaun Daniels, Director of Campaigns and Programs at REPRO Rising Virginia

This November, control of Virginia’s House of Delegates — and the future of reproductive freedom in our Commonwealth — could be decided by just a handful of seats. That’s why REPRO Rising Virginia is focusing our deepest investment in four critical battlegrounds: Districts 22, 41, 75, and 86. 

Each of these districts is a true toss-up. In recent years, voters here have swung back and forth between parties, often by razor-thin margins. A shift of just a few hundred votes could tip the balance — and with it, the majority in the House.

That’s why we’re deploying our most powerful tools: 

• Deep Canvassing: long-form conversations that change hearts and minds on reproductive freedom. 
• Organizers and Volunteers: embedding support in select districts, while mobilizing statewide volunteers for door-knocking, phone calls, and Days of Action. 
• Digital Reinforcement: online outreach that mirrors the values-first tone of our field program.  

Together, this layered strategy ensures voters hear consistent, values-driven messages across every channel.

Here are the four districts where the outcome could decide everything:

• Elizabeth Guzman (HD-22) – The last Republican-held seat in Prince William County. Guzman, a former Delegate and champion for reproductive rights, has proven she can flip tough districts before. 
• Lily Franklin (HD-41) – A rising leader from Southwest Virginia with a record of service as a teacher and legislative chief of staff. She’s running to unseat Republican Chris Obenshain in one of the state’s most competitive races. 
• Lindsey Dougherty (HD-75) – A union organizer and public servant with a powerful personal story about healthcare and reproductive rights. She’s challenging Republican Carrie Coyner in a district that leans blue federally but has remained red in Richmond. 
• Virgil Thornton, Sr. (HD-86) – A former Naval technician, small business advocate, and community mentor. Thornton is taking on Republican A.C. Cordoza in Hampton, York, and Poquoson — a district that has voted both ways in recent elections. 

These four races represent every corner of Virginia — Northern Virginia, Southwest, Southside, and Hampton Roads. If we win here, we expand the pro-reproductive freedom majority in the House and protect the progress of the constitutional amendment that will safeguard abortion rights for generations. 

This is the first in our District Spotlight series. In the weeks ahead, we’ll introduce each candidate in more detail, share what’s at stake in their race, and highlight how your support is making the difference. 

The path to victory is clear — but only if we do the work together. 

Get Involved Today!