Arlington Republicans are being encouraged by party leadership to cast ballots in next Tuesday’s U.S. Senate primary.
While the campaign involving Republicans Bert Mizusawa, Kim Farington and David Williams has flown largely under the radar in mostly Democratic Northern Virginia, participating in the selection of a nominee is important, GOP Chair Matthew Hurtt said.
“You have a decision to make between now and next Tuesday,” he said at the party’s monthly meeting, held July 27. “I encourage you, if you haven’t already, to vote.”
The winner of the Republican primary has the challenging task of trying to unseat Democratic U.S. Sen. Mark Warner.
Despite some close calls along the way, Warner has been a proven vote-getter with the Virginia electorate. He won races for governor in 2001 and Senate in 2008, 2014 and 2020.
Warner, 71, has said that if he is re-elected, this will be his last six-year term in the Senate.
Both Democratic and Republican primaries will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 4. Virginia does not register voters by party; registered voters can participate in either primary, but not both.
In Arlington, the Senate primary is the only contest on the Republican ballot. Voters in the Democratic primary will select a nominee for 8th District U.S. House of Representatives and County Board.
Warner did not face a challenge for the Democratic Senate nomination. His Senate seat is one of nine rated as “Solid Democrat” in 2026 by the Cook Political Report, and most other political analysts also rate it as leaning heavily Democratic.
Despite the uphill climb, having a Republican on the ballot gives the party a chance to “go out and talk about our principles,” Hurtt said.
Arlington Republicans plan to tout the Republican Senate nominee, and congressional contender Tony Sabio, at booths at the Arlington County Fair in August and Clarendon Day in September.
The party does not have a candidate for County Board. The Aug. 4 Democratic primary will determine that party’s nominee, with incumbent Matt de Ferranti being challenged by James DeVita and Julia Farnam.
The July 27 Republican meeting provided another opportunity for congressional candidate Sabio to ask for support.
“The momentum’s great. The key is to just get the message out,” Sabio said.
Despite the district’s strong Democratic lean, voters are open to considering alternatives, he said.
“If you give me time with people, I will change their mind,” Sabio said of voters who seek “common-sense leadership.”
“We’re getting out of the normal GOP circles — going around and really talking to the people,” he said of the campaign.
Sabio is awaiting results of the Aug. 4 Democratic primary, where incumbent Rep. Don Beyer is being challenged by Lorena Bruner, Michael Duffin, Mo Seifeldein and Adam Dunigan.
Sabio was the lone Republican to seek the congressional seat, which is also seen as a Democratic bastion by most political rating organizations.
Hurtt said that despite the long odds, voters should give Sabio an opportunity to make his case.
“If you are looking for the right candidate for this type of district, Tony is that kind,” he said. “He’s doing the hard work to be a legitimate candidate.”
“He’s out meeting lots of people in the community,” added Susan Valentine, who chairs the 8th District Republican Committee.
During a discussion with the candidate at the meeting, local Republican Becky Geiger said Sabio should forcefully oppose new data centers in Northern Virginia and “educate people about socialism.”
Sabio agreed with both ideas. On data centers, he said he strongly opposed unbridled growth.
“In Northern Virginia, we don’t need any more, we don’t want any more,” he said.
At the meeting, Sabio said he was not a flash-in-the-pan candidate. He suggested he was already thinking ahead to 2028.
“Win or lose on Nov. 4, I’m filing again” for office, he said.
