NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Virginia's 3rd Congressional District race this November features Democrat Bobby Scott, who has served in the House of Representatives since 1993, and Republican challenger John Sitka, III.
In the district, which includes Norfolk, Newport News, Hampton, Portsmouth and parts of Chesapeake, there is the historical aspect of Scott. He was first African American elected to Congress from Virginia since Reconstruction. Beyond that, he has come to enjoy a kind of brand name familiarity with voters.
Prior to his three decades in Congress, he served in the Virginia House of Delegates from 1978 to 1983 and in the Senate of Virginia from 1983 to 1993.
This November, he hopes voters remember all that he has done.
"Well, I think one of the things I would like for them to remember is I've delivered for the district, brought money to the district. And also, a thoughtful approach, focused on education, transportation, economic development, crime prevention. Those are the kinds of things I've been working on, health care, and I'm going to continue working on," he said.
Sitka believes it's time for a change.
"What about having a fresh face? What about having a fresh voice?" he said. "Republicans and Democrats both frustrate me for being in there so long. And because of that, they forgot who the people were. And I say that because that's part of the reason why I'm running."
Sitka is a Navy veteran and ran unsuccessfully in the past for House of Delegates and Norfolk School Board. He says if he gets to Washington, he wants to fight excessive regulations and secure the border. And that's not all.
"I buy the groceries for my house. I know how much things cost. So, what are we going to do about the rate of inflation? How much money is being spent overseas? After I saw what happened to Ukraine, why don't we take some of that money back and get things squared away in the United States? Let's fix those issues before we go giving money elsewhere?" he said.
Scott says he just wants to keep serving.
"As long as we're getting things done, I think that's the motivation. In the last three and a half years, we've gotten done a lot. The American Rescue Plan Act was a great piece of legislation. We had the biggest investment in K through 12 education than any bill in the history of the United States. 6:51:40 "We're still doing a lot. as long as that's the case, I'm good," he said.
Sabato's Crystal Ball rates the 3rd Congressional District as "Likely Democrat,"
In the last election, in 2022, Scott beat Republican candidate Terry Namkung 67% to 32%, according to the Virginia Department of Elections.
Virginia's 2024 general election happens on November 5. Outside of the U.S. Presidential Election, voters in the Commonwealth will choose their representatives in Congress (U.S. Senate and House of Representatives) and in various local elections. They will also vote for or against a proposed amendment to the state's constitution.
Voters can look up what Congressional district they're in on the Virginia Department of Elections website.
