Makiba
A. Gaines
Independent civil rights attorney Makiba A. Gaines runs for Virginia's 3rd Congressional District in 2026
- sources
- 7
- positions
- 8
- endorsements
- 0
Background
Makiba A. Gaines is an Independent candidate for U.S. House of Representatives in Virginia's 3rd Congressional District, appearing on the November 3, 2026 general election ballot. She was born in Portsmouth, Virginia, and raised in Portsmouth, Norfolk, and Virginia Beach. 1210
Gaines earned three undergraduate degrees from Penn State University—an associate degree in Letters, Arts and Sciences and bachelor's degrees in Political Science and Law—before receiving her J.D. from Regent University School of Law in 2018, graduating with honors. 1
She describes herself as a practicing civil rights attorney who has worked in both federal and state courts. Prior to entering private practice, she prosecuted cases for the Commonwealth of Virginia in Portsmouth. She operates as a solo-practicing attorney and maintains a separate professional law website. 113
Gaines has no prior elected office identified in official candidate records or available biographical material. The Virginia Department of Elections lists her as a non-incumbent in the 2026 race. 10
At a glance
- Party
- Independent
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 3, Virginia
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Current office
- Civil rights attorney (solo practice)
- Website
- makibagaines4congress.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Nov 3newsGeneral Election Day: Gaines faces Scott, Rivera, and Woll in Virginia's 3rd Congressional District
The general election for Virginia's 3rd Congressional District is scheduled for November 3, 2026, with Gaines competing as an independent against incumbent Democrat Bobby Scott, Republican Edwin Rivera Jr., and independent Stephen Woll.
Virginia Dept. of Elections: Candidates & Referendums · Sep 29, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 6filingVirginia Department of Elections updates candidate list for November federal offices, including VA-03
The Virginia Department of Elections' candidate-list page noted its November federal offices list was updated on October 6, 2026. Gaines remains listed as an independent candidate for VA-03.
Virginia Dept. of Elections: Candidates & Referendums · Sep 29, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 26newsCampaign analysis reports Gaines raised $34,330 since January 2025 with $14,717 cash on hand
A September 26 campaign analysis by The Political Group reported that Gaines had raised $34,330 since January 1, 2025, and had $14,717 cash on hand, based on FEC reports through July 15, 2026. A separate race profile labeled her as having 'no FEC reports on file,' leaving a discrepancy unresolved in the available sources.
What It Would Take for Edwin Rivera Jr. to Win VA-03 in 2026 · Sep 26, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 23filingGaines listed among four candidates competing in Virginia's 3rd Congressional District
Multiple voter guides and candidate profiles published around September 23 confirm Gaines is running as an independent in VA-03 alongside incumbent Democrat Bobby Scott, Republican Edwin Rivera Jr., and independent Stephen Woll.
Four Candidates Will Compete in Virginia 3rd District · Sep 23, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 23newsGaines publishes policy positions in candidate questionnaire on flooding, data centers, health care, and housing
In a candidate questionnaire published by The Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press on September 23, Gaines called flooding an 'infrastructure, transportation, environmental and economic crisis' and pledged to seek federal funding for wetlands and drainage upgrades. She expressed support for data center moratoriums where needed and argued companies should bear their own infrastructure costs. She also said she would pursue price transparency and broader access to affordable prescription drugs, and work to open pathways to homeownership.
Meet the candidates: Virginia's 3rd Congressional District · Sep 23, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 18newsEarly in-person voting begins in Virginia, including VA-03 where Gaines is running
In-person early voting opened in Virginia on September 18, 2026, ahead of the November 3 general election in which Gaines is an independent candidate in the 3rd Congressional District.
Early voting starts Friday for Virginia midterms · Sep 14, 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 H6VA02248(opens in a new tab)
Sources 7
- [1] U.S. Representative, 3rd Congressional District - The Gist(opens in a new tab) Oct 12, 2026
- [2] Virginia Dept. of Elections: Candidates & Referendums(opens in a new tab) Sep 29, 2026
- [3] What It Would Take for Edwin Rivera Jr. to Win VA-03 in 2026(opens in a new tab) Sep 26, 2026
- [4] Four Candidates Will Compete in Virginia 3rd District(opens in a new tab) Sep 23, 2026
- [5] Meet the candidates: Virginia's 3rd Congressional District(opens in a new tab) Sep 23, 2026
- [6] Early voting starts Friday for Virginia midterms(opens in a new tab) Sep 14, 2026
- [7] Makiba A. Gaines — official campaign website(opens in a new tab)