Political Report: Virginia Closes In On Critical Off-Cycle Election: Three Races To Watch

January 29, 2026
11:01 am

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Virginia is heating up with a critical off-cycle election that's flying under the national radar but could deliver a seismic win for Second Amendment rights. NRA-ILA Executive Director John Commerford spotlights three key races where pro-gun patriots have a real shot at flipping seats and blocking the anti-2A crowd's agenda. These aren't just local skirmishes—they're frontline battles in a state that's been ground zero for gun-grabbers since the 2020 legislative bloodbath that birthed red-flag laws and one-handgun-a-month restrictions. With Democrats holding slim majorities, even one or two flips could stall Governor Youngkin's veto-proof overrides and protect Virginians from more Bloomberg-funded nonsense. Digging deeper, these races expose the fragility of the gun-control machine: in House District 87, Republican Nick Freitas—yes, *that* Freitas, the sharp-tongued podcaster and combat vet—is gunning to oust anti-2A incumbent Kecia Hayes, whose voting record reads like a Brady Campaign wishlist. Over in Senate District 30, Tara Durant could topple Democrat Adam Ebbin, a reliable vote for every restriction since the '90s assault weapons ban. And don't sleep on House District 21, where John Reid challenges Shelia Edison-Svendsen, whose flip-flopping on carry rights reeks of opportunism. Commerford's report nails it—these matchups hinge on turnout from the 2A base, especially after the Supreme Court's Bruen decision supercharged concealed carry reciprocity fights. A pro-gun sweep here would signal to purple states everywhere that the post-Bruen momentum is real, emboldening challenges to unconstitutional registries and mag bans. For the 2A community, the implications are electric: victory in Virginia flips the script on a decade of losses, potentially restoring bipartisan concealed carry reform and killing red-flag expansions dead. It's a blueprint for 2026 midterms—mobilize now, vote early, and watch the dominoes fall. If you're in the Commonwealth, hit Commerford's full breakdown via NRA-ILA and get boots on the ground; the future of your carry permit depends on it. Stay vigilant, Second Amendment warriors—this is how we win back America, one district at a time.

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Virginia is heating up with a critical off-cycle election that’s flying under the national radar but could deliver a seismic win for Second Amendment rights. NRA-ILA Executive Director John Commerford spotlights three key races where pro-gun patriots have a real shot at flipping seats and blocking the anti-2A crowd’s agenda. These aren’t just local skirmishes—they’re frontline battles in a state that’s been ground zero for gun-grabbers since the 2020 legislative bloodbath that birthed red-flag laws and one-handgun-a-month restrictions. With Democrats holding slim majorities, even one or two flips could stall Governor Youngkin’s veto-proof overrides and protect Virginians from more Bloomberg-funded nonsense.

Digging deeper, these races expose the fragility of the gun-control machine: in House District 87, Republican Nick Freitas—yes, *that* Freitas, the sharp-tongued podcaster and combat vet—is gunning to oust anti-2A incumbent Kecia Hayes, whose voting record reads like a Brady Campaign wishlist. Over in Senate District 30, Tara Durant could topple Democrat Adam Ebbin, a reliable vote for every restriction since the ’90s assault weapons ban. And don’t sleep on House District 21, where John Reid challenges Shelia Edison-Svendsen, whose flip-flopping on carry rights reeks of opportunism. Commerford’s report nails it—these matchups hinge on turnout from the 2A base, especially after the Supreme Court’s Bruen decision supercharged concealed carry reciprocity fights. A pro-gun sweep here would signal to purple states everywhere that the post-Bruen momentum is real, emboldening challenges to unconstitutional registries and mag bans.

For the 2A community, the implications are electric: victory in Virginia flips the script on a decade of losses, potentially restoring bipartisan concealed carry reform and killing red-flag expansions dead. It’s a blueprint for 2026 midterms—mobilize now, vote early, and watch the dominoes fall. If you’re in the Commonwealth, hit Commerford’s full breakdown via NRA-ILA and get boots on the ground; the future of your carry permit depends on it. Stay vigilant, Second Amendment warriors—this is how we win back America, one district at a time.

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