Dorothy McAuliffe, the spouse of former Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe, declared on Wednesday that she is entering the Democratic primary for Virginia’s 7th Congressional District.
In a post on X, she expressed, “As a mother of five, grandmother, former State Department employee, and first lady of Virginia, I have devoted my life to advocating for children, families, and the voiceless.”
Virginia voters will have the opportunity on April 21 to decide on a constitutional amendment that would establish a new congressional map. Should the amendment pass, McAuliffe would represent the new 7th District, which spans from the suburbs of Washington, D.C., to western Augusta County.
The primary election in Virginia is set for August 4, following a change in date from June, which was approved under a bill signed in February. Early voting is scheduled to start on June 19, with absentee ballots being sent out by then, according to the Virginia Department of Elections.
“We need a leader with a proven track record who can effectively lower costs for families, enhance access to affordable healthcare, and isn’t afraid to hold Donald Trump and ICE accountable,” McAuliffe stated.
“From Arlington to Augusta and Prince William to Powhatan, I’m excited to travel across the region and share my vision for the community I’ve called home for so long,” she added.
McAuliffe previously served as Virginia’s First Lady from 2014 to 2018 and was appointed by former President Joe Biden as the U.S. Special Representative for Global Partnerships in June 2022.
Currently, incumbent Congressman Eugene Vindman is also competing in the Democratic primary for the 7th Congressional District, alongside state Representative Dan Helmer and military veteran Alex Simmons.
