Stephen
C. Woll
Independent candidate Stephen C. Woll, a Navy veteran and scientist, is challenging incumbent Rep. Bobby Scott in Virginia's 3rd Congressional District in 2026.
- sources
- 7
- positions
- 10
- endorsements
- 1
Background
Stephen C. Woll is an Independent candidate running for U.S. House in Virginia's 3rd Congressional District, with the general election scheduled for November 3, 2026. 415 He is a Navy veteran who served 21 years as a Navy Meteorology and Oceanography Officer, and his campaign describes him as "A Navy veteran. A scientist. A businessman." 10
After leaving the Navy, Woll worked in the private sector helping companies and clients use data and technology to address operational problems, and he has also worked with a veteran-inspired civic service organization in recent years. 10 He grew up in Pittsburgh and has lived in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia for more than 25 years following his Navy service. 10
Woll is not the incumbent; Virginia's 3rd District is currently represented by Democrat Robert C. "Bobby" Scott, who is listed as the incumbent on the Virginia Department of Elections candidate list. 1516 Independent Veterans of America announced their endorsement of Woll in September 2026. 2
At a glance
- Party
- Independent
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 3, Virginia
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Website
- stevewoll.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Sep 28newsFEC-based tracker reports Woll raised ~$34K, spent ~$20K, with ~$15K cash on hand
A race tracker citing FEC figures through July 15 listed Woll's campaign as having raised approximately $34,000, spent approximately $20,000, and held approximately $15,000 cash on hand. The tracker cautioned that Woll had no FEC reports on file, so figures should be treated cautiously.
Virginia's 3rd Congressional District 2026: Scott vs. Rivera | ChamberLight · Sep 28, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 23filingWoll listed among four candidates in VA-03 race alongside Scott, Rivera, and Gaines
By the time of September candidate guides, Woll was confirmed on the ballot as one of four candidates in Virginia's 3rd Congressional District: incumbent Democrat Bobby Scott, Republican Edwin Rivera, independent Makiba Gaines, and independent Stephen C. Woll.
Meet the candidates: Virginia's 3rd Congressional District · Sep 23, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 23newsVirginian-Pilot publishes Woll's policy positions on sea-level rise and data centers
In a candidate questionnaire published by the Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press, Woll stated support for restoring full NOAA funding, renewable energy, and flood-risk focus for the Army Corps of Engineers and FEMA. On data centers, he said localities should set their own policies while supporting clean energy requirements and environmental standards.
Meet the candidates: Virginia's 3rd Congressional District · Sep 23, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 22endorsementIndependent Veterans of America endorses Steve Woll for VA-03
Independent Veterans of America announced its endorsement of Woll, describing him as an independent Navy veteran running in Virginia's 3rd Congressional District. The endorsement was announced on September 23.
Independent Veterans of America Announces Endorsement of Steve ... · Sep 23, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Aug 5newsWoll describes 5+ weeks of signature-gathering for ballot access in campaign post
In a campaign-site post, Woll said he had spent more than five weeks gathering the 1,000 validated signatures from registered district voters required for independent ballot access, calling it 'a pretty tall order' and a new experience for him.
Member Page | Steve Woll · Sep 12, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- Independent Veterans of America (IVA) organizationIVA announced its endorsement of Steve Woll for Virginia's 3rd Congressional District. IVA's candidate page lists him as 'Independent (IVA Support).' A September 28, 2026 report stated IVA had announced the endorsement 'last week,' but the exact date is not specified in the sources. independentveteransofamerica.org
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $34K
- Spent
- $20K
- Cash on hand
- $15K
As of Jul 15, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H6VA03139(opens in a new tab)
Sources 7
- [1] Steve Woll – IVA2026(opens in a new tab) Oct 3, 2026
- [2] Virginia's 3rd Congressional District 2026: Scott vs. Rivera | ChamberLight(opens in a new tab) Sep 28, 2026
- [3] Independent Veterans of America Announces Endorsement of Steve ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 23, 2026
- [4] Meet the candidates: Virginia's 3rd Congressional 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] Member Page | Steve Woll(opens in a new tab) Sep 12, 2026
- [7] Issues | Steve Woll(opens in a new tab) Aug 10, 2026