Robert
J. "Rob" Wittman
Republican U.S. Rep. Rob Wittman seeks re-election in Virginia's 1st District in 2026
- sources
- 21
- positions
- 11
- endorsements
- 6
Background
Robert J. "Rob" Wittman is the Republican U.S. Representative for Virginia's 1st Congressional District, first elected to Congress in a 2007 special election. He holds a B.S. in Biology from Virginia Tech, a Master of Public Health from the University of North Carolina, and a Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University. 13
Before entering Congress, Wittman spent 26 years in Virginia state government, working as an environmental health specialist for local health departments in the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula and later as field director for the Virginia Department of Health's Division of Shellfish Sanitation. 1
Wittman's prior elected offices include service on the Montross Town Council (elected 1986, including four years as mayor), the Westmoreland County Board of Supervisors (elected 1995, elected chair 2003), and the Virginia House of Delegates' 99th District (elected 2005). He lives in Montross, Virginia. 117
Wittman is running for re-election in the November 2026 general election for Virginia's 1st Congressional District. The FEC lists him as the Republican incumbent candidate. 812
At a glance
- Party
- Republican · Incumbent
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 1, Virginia
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Current office
- U.S. Representative for Virginia's 1st Congressional District
- Website
- robwittman.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Voting record
How Robert J. "Rob" Wittman voted in Congress: 118th Congress (2023–24) and 119th Congress (2025–26), Jan 3, 2023 to Sep 16, 2026. From the official House and Senate roll call records.
- roll call votes
- 1,909
- missed
- 2.0%
- with their party’s majority
- 96%
Recent key votes
- Sep 16, 2026 · House · S2403 · Economy & jobsRetire through Ownership ActOn Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass · PassedOfficial roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)Yes
- Sep 16, 2026 · House · HR9497 · Climate & energyWater Resources Development ActOn Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended · PassedOfficial roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)Yes
- Sep 16, 2026 · House · HR9340 · Climate & energyRatepayer Protection ActOn Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended · PassedOfficial roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)Yes
- Sep 16, 2026 · House · HJRES213 · Climate & energyProviding for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule issued by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to the “California State Nonroad Engine Pollution Control Standards; Commercial Harbor Craft Regulations; Notice of Decision”On Passage · PassedOfficial roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)Yes
- Sep 16, 2026 · House · HR10326 · Crime & public safetyPROOF ActOn Passage · PassedOfficial roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)Yes
- Sep 16, 2026 · House · HR9576 · Crime & public safetyNational Fraud Enforcement Division ActOn Passage · PassedOfficial roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)Yes
- Sep 15, 2026 · House · HJRES210 · Climate & energyProviding for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to “California State Nonroad Engine Pollution Control Standards; Ocean-Going Vessels At-Berth; Notice of Decision”On Passage · PassedOfficial roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)Yes
- Sep 15, 2026 · House · HR9500 · Taxes & budgetTax Relief for Fraud Victims ActOn Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended · PassedOfficial roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)Yes
Key votes are final decisions on bills and joint resolutions, and top nominations. Software sorts each into an issue from its official title, so check the roll call. All 1,909 votes →
Timeline
- Nov 3filingGeneral election scheduled for Virginia's 1st Congressional District
The general election in which Wittman faces Democratic challenger Shannon Taylor is scheduled for November 3, 2026.
WATCH: Congressman Rob Wittman defends his record in ... · Oct 9, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 11newsGround News publishes truth tracker and detailed policy comparison for VA-01 race
Ground News published a truth tracker and detailed account of the VA-01 race, covering candidate views on Iran, tariffs, Social Security, and ICE, describing it as Wittman's toughest reelection battle yet.
Truth Tracker: 1st District Congressional race · Oct 11, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 9newsVPM publishes interview with Wittman discussing policy priorities
VPM released a video interview with Wittman, conducted in late September, in which he identified lowering cost of living, healthcare reform, domestic energy production, and AI guardrails as priorities. On Iran, he said a peace deal must ensure Iran can never produce a nuclear weapon.
WATCH: Congressman Rob Wittman defends his record in ... · Oct 9, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 9newsDCCC announces Cook Political Report shifted VA-01 to Toss-Up
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee announced that Cook Political Report had shifted VA-01 from its prior rating to Toss-Up, citing momentum behind Shannon Taylor. VPM's report on the same date described Cook's rating as 'Lean Republican,' while UVA's Larry Sabato classified the seat as a Toss-up, reflecting some discrepancy between sources.
🚨 RATINGS CHANGE: Cook Political Report Shifts VA-01 ... · Oct 9, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 8newsYahoo News covers Wittman vs. Taylor matchup as competitive incumbent race
Yahoo News published coverage of the incumbent Wittman facing challenger Shannon Taylor, highlighting the competitive dynamics of the VA-01 race.
Incumbent Rob Wittman faces challenger Shannon Taylor ... · Oct 8, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 6newsWashington Examiner reports Wittman's long Washington run faces a tough test
The Washington Examiner published a profile examining how Wittman's lengthy congressional career is facing an unusually competitive challenge from Democrat Shannon Taylor in Virginia's 1st District.
Rob Wittman’s long Washington run faces a tough test in Virginia · Oct 6, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 5newsReports highlight Wittman facing toughest reelection battle yet against Taylor
WTVR reported on the increasingly competitive nature of the VA-01 race, describing it as Wittman's toughest reelection battle, with the two candidates clashing over Iran, tariffs, Social Security, and ICE.
Virginia's 1st Congressional District: Wittman faces toughest reelection battle yet against Taylor · Oct 5, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 1pollWashington Post–Schar School poll published showing Taylor narrowly ahead of Wittman
The Washington Post and Schar School released poll results showing Taylor at 50% and Wittman at 46% among likely voters, a difference within the margin of error. The survey was conducted September 23–28 with a reported MOE of 4.5 points.
Democrat has edge in Virginia House race considered national ... · Oct 1, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 1newsTaylor campaign reports raising more than $2 million in the third quarter
Virginia Scope reported that Taylor's campaign said it raised more than $2 million in the third quarter, bringing its total for the election cycle to more than $4 million.
Wittman says VA-01 race will be close, defends finances ... · Oct 1, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 1newsWittman acknowledges close race, defends finances and congressional record
In a Virginia Scope interview, Wittman said 'We always knew this race was going to be close' and said his campaign was preparing new advertising. He disputed criticism of his finances, saying asset growth largely reflects inheritances, and defended his congressional record. Outside groups had spent more than $4 million supporting Taylor or opposing Wittman, versus about $150,000 on Wittman's side, per VPAP figures.
Wittman says VA-01 race will be close, defends finances ... · Oct 1, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 26newsAnalysis published on how Taylor could win VA-01 in 2026
The Political Group published an analysis examining the path for Democratic challenger Shannon Taylor to defeat incumbent Rob Wittman in Virginia's 1st Congressional District.
How Shannon Taylor Can Win VA-01 in 2026 · Sep 26, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 23pollWashington Post–Schar School poll conducted showing Taylor ahead of Wittman
A Washington Post–George Mason University Schar School poll was conducted September 23–28, finding Taylor at 50% and Wittman at 46% among likely voters in VA-01, a four-point lead within the 4.5-percentage-point margin of error.
Washington Post-Schar School Poll Shows Democrats Leading in ... · Oct 1, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Jan 1, 2007newsRob Wittman begins representing Virginia's 1st Congressional District
VPM reports that Wittman has represented the district since 2007, making him a long-tenured incumbent heading into the 2026 race.
WATCH: Congressman Rob Wittman defends his record in ... · Oct 9, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) organizationListed as an endorsement in Wittman's 2026 iVoterGuide profile. The NRA-PVF Virginia page also lists Wittman with an A+ rating, though the page itself presents a grade rather than an explicit endorsement notice. ivoterguide.com
- National Right to Life organizationListed as an endorsement in Wittman's 2026 iVoterGuide profile. ivoterguide.com
- Americans for Legal Immigration PAC (ALIPAC) organizationListed as an endorsement in Wittman's 2026 iVoterGuide profile. ivoterguide.com
- Campaign for Working Families organizationListed as an endorsement in Wittman's 2026 iVoterGuide profile. ivoterguide.com
- Donald Trump officialTrump posted: 'Rob Wittman has my Complete and Total Endorsement for Re-Election.' Also reported by the Associated Press in its October 7, 2026 article. trumpstruth.org · Sep 17, 2026
- National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) FedPAC organizationNFIB announced its political action committee endorsed Wittman for reelection to Congress. nfib.com · Sep 8, 2026
Past elections
General election results for federal office, from the Federal Election Commission.
| Year | Seat | Result | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | U.S. House VA-01 · R | Won | 191,828 | 56.0% |
| 2020 | U.S. House VA-01 · R | Won | 260,614 | 58.1% |
| 2018 | U.S. House VA-01 · R | Won | 183,250 | 55.2% |
| 2016 | U.S. House VA-01 · R | Won | 230,213 | 59.8% |
Covers the 2016 to 2022 general elections. The FEC has not yet published 2024 congressional results.
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $4.05M
- Spent
- $1.14M
- Cash on hand
- $4.29M
As of Jul 15, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H8VA01147(opens in a new tab)
Sources 21
- [1] Truth Tracker: 1st District Congressional race(opens in a new tab) Oct 11, 2026
- [2] 🚨 RATINGS CHANGE: Cook Political Report Shifts VA-01 ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [3] Robert J. Wittman iVoterGuide Profile(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [4] WATCH: Congressman Rob Wittman defends his record in ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [5] Incumbent Rob Wittman faces challenger Shannon Taylor ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 8, 2026
- [6] Rob Wittman’s long Washington run faces a tough test in Virginia(opens in a new tab) Oct 6, 2026
- [7] Virginia's 1st Congressional District: Wittman faces toughest reelection battle yet against Taylor(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
- [8] Democrat has edge in Virginia House race considered national ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 1, 2026
- [9] Washington Post-Schar School Poll Shows Democrats Leading in ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 1, 2026
- [10] Wittman says VA-01 race will be close, defends finances ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 1, 2026
- [11] How Shannon Taylor Can Win VA-01 in 2026(opens in a new tab) Sep 26, 2026
- [12] Congressman Rob Wittman is doing a truly fantastic job ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 18, 2026
- [13] NFIB Endorses Pro-Small Business Candidates in Virginia for Reelection to Congress(opens in a new tab) Sep 8, 2026
- [14] Latest News | U.S. House of Representatives(opens in a new tab) Apr 23, 2026
- [15] The State of Our Union and the Work Still Ahead - Rob Wittman(opens in a new tab) Mar 7, 2026
- [16] Wittman Secures Wins in 2026 Defense Appropriations Legislation(opens in a new tab) Jan 23, 2026
- [17] H.R.22 - 119th Congress (2025-2026): SAVE Act(opens in a new tab) Oct 4, 2025
- [18] Family Values | Congressman Rob Wittman(opens in a new tab) Apr 30, 2025
- [19] Second Amendment(opens in a new tab) Apr 30, 2025
- [20] Energy | Congressman Rob Wittman - House.gov(opens in a new tab) Feb 12, 2025
- [21] Jobs & Economy | Congressman Rob Wittman - House.gov(opens in a new tab) Feb 12, 2025