Republicans Vie to Challenge Subramanyam in Virginia's 10th District

Why It Matters

Virginia's 10th Congressional District remains one of Democrats' strongest seats in Northern Virginia, but Republicans are holding a competitive primary to determine who will challenge incumbent Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA) in November. The district, previously represented by former Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D-VA), is rated Solid Democrat by the Cook Political Report, though several Republican candidates with military and national security backgrounds are seeking to make the race competitive.

The district's median household income reached approximately $140,889 in 2022, making it one of the wealthiest congressional districts in the country. Its affluent, highly educated electorate has increasingly favored Democrats in federal elections while remaining attentive to issues including taxes, education, transportation, and federal spending.

The Candidates

The Republican primary is led in fundraising by Dave Beckwith, a retired Air Force colonel who served for 30 years before retiring in 2017 and later became Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense. Beckwith has raised approximately $104,869, positioning himself as the leading fundraiser among Republican candidates. A Loudoun County resident for 17 years and a cancer survivor, Beckwith has centered his campaign on national security, government management, and fiscal discipline. He previously competed in the district's ranked-choice Republican primary in 2022.

Beckwith has opened a significant financial advantage over the rest of the Republican field. Julie Perry, a high school World History teacher with more than 11 years in the classroom and no prior elected experience, has raised approximately $8,146 while campaigning on education, federal spending, and opposition to diversity initiatives in public schools.

Anthony Suttles, whose background includes national security and economics, has focused his campaign on affordability and national security. Sam Wong, a retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel with nearly 30 years of military service, withdrew from the Republican primary after previously leading the field in fundraising.

Unlike the Republican contest, Democrats enter the general election with an incumbent already representing the district. Rep. Suhas Subramanyam succeeded Jennifer Wexton following the 2024 election and is seeking another term. The Cook Political Report continues to rate the district as Solid Democrat, giving Democrats a structural advantage heading into the general election despite Republican efforts to mount a competitive challenge.

Political Stakes

Virginia's 10th District encompasses some of Northern Virginia's most affluent communities, where voters often balance fiscal concerns with socially moderate or progressive positions. Those demographics have helped shift the district from reliably Republican two decades ago to one of the Democratic Party's strongest suburban districts.

For Republicans, defeating Subramanyam would represent one of the party's most significant pickup opportunities in Virginia, even though the district currently favors Democrats. The concentration of military veterans in the Republican field suggests the GOP believes national security credentials and executive experience could resonate with Northern Virginia voters.

Former Rep. Jennifer Wexton's legislative record also reflects many of the policy priorities that have shaped the district. During the 118th Congress, she served on the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on the Budget, along with the House Appropriations Subcommittees on Legislative Branch and on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies. She sponsored legislation including the Uyghur Forced Labor Disclosure Act, H.Res. 1013 supporting National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month, H.R. 1034, the Domestic Violence Public Health Emergency Guidance Act, H.R. 5132, the Gun Violence Prevention Through Financial Intelligence Act, legislation expanding opioid treatment, postal facility designations in Winchester and Leesburg, craft beverage fairness legislation, the Ensuring Equal Access to Shelter Act, and legislation directing a study of COVID-19-related misinformation.

What's Next

Republicans will select their nominee in the primary before turning their attention to the general election against Subramanyam. The outcome will determine whether Beckwith's fundraising advantage translates into the nomination or whether another Republican emerges to challenge the incumbent in November.

Although the district continues to lean heavily Democratic, Republicans hope a nominee with military leadership experience and a focus on fiscal management can narrow the gap in one of Virginia's highest-income congressional districts.

The Bottom Line

Republicans are holding a competitive primary to determine who will challenge incumbent Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA) in Virginia's 10th Congressional District. Dave Beckwith has emerged as the GOP fundraising leader, but Democrats retain a significant structural advantage in a district that the Cook Political Report rates as Solid Democrat.

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