The latest Democratic challenger to U.S. Rep. Don Beyer (D-8) says the incumbent deserves credit for a storied political career, but should now exit the political stage to let others step up.
Jason Knapp is one of several challengers taking on the six-term incumbent in the Aug. 4 Democratic primary. A retired U.S. Navy pilot, Knapp kicked off his campaign at Wednesday’s Arlington Democratic Committee meeting, where he said it’s time for Beyer’s long-held congressional seat to change hands.
“I respect Don Beyer,” Knapp said. “I respect his service — but nobody, no matter how good, should get to stay forever.”
Barring action from the Virginia Supreme Court invalidating the state’s recent congressional redistricting, the candidates are expected to compete in the redrawn 8th District, which runs from South Arlington down to the Williamsburg area.
Since the early 1990s, all of Arlington has been included in the 8th District. Under redistricting approved last month by state voters, the northern 60% of the county will be moved into the redrawn 7th District, where about a dozen Democrats are competing for the party’s nomination.
Both redrawn districts tilt Democratic, with the new 8th District skewing more strongly so.
Given a 5-minute speaking window, Knapp’s pitch to Democrats was light on specific issues, focusing primarily on the perils of politicians staying perpetually in office.
Knapp contrasted congressional service with his career in the military, where leadership positions rotate with predictable frequency.
“Turnover is how readiness is maintained. If we don’t turn over, we stagnate,” Knapp said. “We need a Democratic Party built for the future.”
Beyer served two terms as Virginia’s lieutenant governor before losing to Republican Jim Gilmore in the 1997 governor’s race. He subsequently was tapped as President Barack Obama’s ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
In 2014, Beyer, who turns 76 in June, easily bested a large field to win the Democratic primary for the 8th District to succeed Rep. Jim Moran, who retired. While he has faced several challenges since, the incumbent’s reelection prospects have never been seriously imperiled.
Beyer launched his current reelection bid in February with a speech to Arlington Democrats. At the same meeting, two challengers — Daniel Gray and Adam Dunigan — announced plans to challenge him.
Gray subsequently dropped out of the race, citing an inability to campaign effectively while holding down a full-time job. Dunigan has since opted to join the crowded field in the 7th District primary.
Mohamed “Mo” Seifeldein, a former Alexandria City Council member, remains in the race. He spoke to Arlington Democrats in January.
A running candidate compendium kept by the Blue Virginia political website also lists Elizabeth Dempsey Beggs as a Democratic candidate.
In kicking off his bid for a new term earlier this year, Beyer told Arlington Democrats he would not let the expanded size of the new 8th District stop him.
“I will work hard to earn the trust of Virginians from Arlington to Yorktown, to be an effective advocate for their interests, to defend the vulnerable, show up, listen, and offer top notch constituent services to everyone I represent,” Beyer said.
The Republican field continues to evolve. But the composition of the new 8th District leans heavily Democratic — Kamala Harris won the 2024 vote by nearly 18 points over Donald Trump.
Arlington Democratic Committee Chair Paul Ruiz said the party is planning separate candidate forums for candidates in the 7th and 8th Districts in June. No firm dates have been set.
