A closely watched race for a seat in the U.S. House is unfolding in Virginia, where Republican Rob Wittman is seeking to hold the seat he has represented since 2007 against Democrat Shannon Taylor. Wittman won by nearly 13 percentage points two years ago, but election analysts now consider the contest competitive.
At a polling location in Hanover, a traditionally conservative area, voters and campaign volunteers described different concerns about the cost of living, abortion and President Donald Trump’s government. Republicans said they feared a Democratic majority could block the president’s policies, while Democratic voters hoped it would constrain his power.
One Republican voter, who requested anonymity, acknowledged that living costs are high but worried that Democratic control could worsen the economy through tax increases. She said abortion was her overriding concern, describing it as a question of protecting unborn life.
Two Republican volunteers at the school also criticized abortion proposals and transgender rights, particularly the participation of transgender women in sports. They supported Trump despite disliking his communication style, arguing that his policies were effective. They rejected claims that he had harmed the economy and said Democrats could use control of Congress to obstruct his agenda and pursue investigations against him.
One of the volunteers, Lisa, 79, said she feared Democrats would undo recent policies and focus on legal actions against Trump. A Democratic volunteer in the area, meanwhile, criticized the president’s influence over Republicans and warned about power becoming concentrated in his hands. She said a Democratic victory should not be used for political retaliation and called for stronger ethics rules in the judiciary.
Jennifer Bowles, 44, said she had moved from more conservative to progressive views around 2020, largely because of Trump’s first term. She cited immigration, abortion rights and same-sex marriage among her concerns. Although she recognized that Hanover remains a Republican stronghold, she hoped a Democratic majority could provide a check on the president.
In Richmond, a Democratic stronghold that is part of the fourth congressional district, voters interviewed by Folha focused on living costs and Trump’s record, particularly in light of his campaign promises on the economy. The city gave Kamala Harris a wide margin in the 2024 presidential election.
Public employee Sam Jasinski, 30, said prices remained high and argued that government measures had made affordability worse. He said conditions were less affordable than in 2024, contrasting that with Trump’s campaign promises to improve purchasing power.
Ash, 23, who did not give her surname, said grocery prices—especially for meat—were rising faster than wages. She also criticized federal workforce cuts and U.S. involvement in military conflicts, saying Trump had promised to avoid new wars. Though she voted Democratic, she said she did not agree with every party decision. Her main hope was that a Democratic majority would require the government to negotiate rather than simply push through its proposals.
Ashley W., 27, who works in Richmond’s public schools and at Virginia Commonwealth University, also cited immigration, war and the cost of living as concerns. She said she believed Trump was more focused on benefiting himself and those close to him than the American public.
Sources: Folha Mundo.