Geral
D. "Bishop" Staten
Independent candidate Geral "Bishop" Staten challenges for Virginia's 2nd Congressional District seat in 2026
- sources
- 10
- positions
- 7
- endorsements
- 0
Background
Geral D. "Bishop" Staten is an Independent candidate running in Virginia's 2nd Congressional District in the November 3, 2026 general election. He was born and raised in Suffolk, Virginia, and describes himself as a lifelong Hampton Roads resident who graduated from Nansemond River High School. 15
Staten currently works as a full-time Amazon associate and serves as a public-address announcer for King's Fork boys' and girls' basketball. He also reported a brief stint with the NFL's Baltimore Ravens in 2022. 1
Staten has previously sought local office without success. He ran for Suffolk mayor in 2016 and for Suffolk commissioner of the revenue in 2025, finishing second in the latter race with 11,022 votes. The sources reviewed do not identify any prior elected office held by Staten. 15
The incumbent in Virginia's 2nd Congressional District is Republican Jen Kiggans. The 2026 race is considered among the most watched in the nation, featuring a rematch between Kiggans and Democratic nominee Elaine Luria. Luria filed a lawsuit in September 2026 seeking to remove Staten from the ballot over alleged invalid signatures, though he remained listed as a candidate on state election materials. 8145
At a glance
- Party
- Independent
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 2, Virginia
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Website
- facebook.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Sep 28newsStaten told Virginia Mercury he does not support Trump and voted for Nikki Haley in 2024 GOP primary
In a Virginia Mercury interview, Staten said he did not currently support Trump, had typically voted Democratic, and voted for Nikki Haley in the 2024 Republican presidential primary to prevent Trump from advancing. He said the MAGA administration had 'done everything outside of what we want as people.' He also said he would vote 'a hard yes' on extending ACA subsidies, support stronger provider pricing transparency, advocate for more transportation funding, and support streamlining citizenship processes for certain immigrants. The Mercury noted Virginia Scope had previously reported pro-Trump social-media posts from Trump's first term.
Luria and Kiggans rematch in Virginia's 2nd Congressional ... · Sep 28, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 24newsStaten publicly opposed Flock license-plate cameras on privacy and cost grounds
Staten stated his opposition to Flock surveillance cameras, writing: 'It invades privacy, it's a burden on the people.... Flock cameras out, we don't need them.' The statement was dated September 24 by Dispute Index.
Bishop Staten · Oct 7, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 23newsStaten published policy positions in Virginian-Pilot candidate guide
The Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press published a candidate guide including Staten's questionnaire responses. He opposed data centers ('O-U-T. Non negotiable.'), supported resilient coastal infrastructure and stronger zoning codes, and listed health care, pay raises, tax exemptions, and e-bike lanes among affordability priorities.
Meet the candidates: Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District · Sep 23, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 10filingStaten included on fuller Virginia state candidate list
A more complete Virginia Department of Elections candidate list dated September 10 also included Staten among the four VA-02 candidates.
Virginia U.S. House District 2 | The Stated Record · Oct 1, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 8filingStaten listed among VA-02 candidates on Virginia state federal candidate list
A Virginia Department of Elections federal candidate list dated September 8 included Staten among the four VA-02 candidates.
Virginia U.S. House District 2 | The Stated Record · Oct 1, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Dec 13, 2025filingBishop Staten for Congress committee registered with the FEC
Staten's federal campaign committee, Bishop Staten for Congress, registered with the Federal Election Commission on December 13, 2025. No receipts or disbursements have been reported.
Bishop Staten (I) – VA-02 House 2026 | Smarter.Vote · Oct 10, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $0
- Spent
- $0
- Cash on hand
- $0
Reporting date not available. ↳ FEC record H6VA02222(opens in a new tab)
Sources 10
- [1] Bishop Staten (I) – VA-02 House 2026 | Smarter.Vote(opens in a new tab) Oct 10, 2026
- [2] Geral D. "Bishop" Staten(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [3] Bishop Staten(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
- [4] 2nd District Candidate Geral "Bishop" Staten (I)(opens in a new tab) Oct 1, 2026
- [5] Virginia U.S. House District 2 | The Stated Record(opens in a new tab) Oct 1, 2026
- [6] Luria and Kiggans rematch in Va.'s 2nd Congressional ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 28, 2026
- [7] Luria and Kiggans rematch in Virginia's 2nd Congressional ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 28, 2026
- [8] 2nd District Q&A: Matt Baker, Jen Kiggans, Elaine Luria, ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 24, 2026
- [9] Meet the candidates: Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District(opens in a new tab) Sep 23, 2026
- [10] Candidate Profile: Geral D. 'Bishop' Staten (2nd District, Virginia House of Representatives)(opens in a new tab) Sep 10, 2026