26th district of the Virginia House of Delegates

26th district of the Virginia House of Delegates. The district is a legislative constituency within the Virginia House of Delegates, currently representing a portion of Prince William County. It was established following the 1970 United States Census and the subsequent 1971 Virginia redistricting. The district has been represented by Republican Tony O. Wilt since a special election in 2010.

History

The district was formed in 1971 from parts of the former 23rd district and other areas in Northern Virginia. Its early political character was shaped by the rapid suburban growth around Washington, D.C., transitioning from a primarily rural area. For much of the late 20th century, the district was a competitive swing district, electing members of both the Democratic Party and the Republican Party. A significant shift occurred in the early 21st century, with the district trending more reliably Republican, particularly in statewide elections for offices like Governor of Virginia and Attorney General of Virginia. The district's political dynamics are often analyzed alongside neighboring districts such as the 13th and 31st.

List of delegates

* James H. Dillard II (Democratic), 1972–1982 * V. Earl Dickinson (Democratic), 1982–1992 * Frank D. Hargrove, Sr. (Republican), 1992–2002 * Matthew J. Lohr (Republican), 2002–2010 * Tony O. Wilt (Republican), 2010–present

Election results

Recent elections have seen the incumbent, Tony O. Wilt, successfully defend the seat. In the 2021 Virginia House of Delegates election, Wilt defeated Democratic challenger Brittany Clements. The 2019 Virginia House of Delegates election was a closer contest, with Wilt prevailing over Cathy Copeland. Results from the 2017 Virginia House of Delegates election showed a stronger Republican margin of victory. These outcomes are frequently compared to results in the 2nd district and the 12th district for regional political analysis.

District boundaries

The district is located entirely within Prince William County. Its boundaries are defined by the Virginia Division of Legislative Services following each United States Census. The current configuration, from the 2020 United States redistricting cycle, includes communities such as Broad Run, portions of the Harrisonburg environs, and areas near Massanutten Mountain. It is bordered by the 25th district to the north and the 30th district to the south. The district's geography is partly shaped by the Shenandoah River and Interstate 81 in Virginia.

Demographics

According to data from the 2020 United States Census, the district has a population of 86,896. The racial and ethnic composition is predominantly non-Hispanic White, with significant communities of Hispanic or Latino and African American residents. The district includes parts of the Harrisonburg, Virginia Metropolitan Statistical Area. Key economic sectors include agriculture, manufacturing, and services tied to James Madison University and other local institutions. Voter registration data from the Virginia Department of Elections indicates a mix of Republican, Democratic, and independent voters. Category:Districts of the Virginia House of Delegates