Six candidates are currently in contention for the 2nd District seat in the Virginia House of Delegates. Heather Mitchell (who ran against Foy in 2019) is the only Republican in the race, while five Democrats are set to run in a firehouse primary on Sunday, December 13th for their party’s nomination to compete for Delegate Jennifer Carroll Foy’s vacated seat in the general election. Foy announced on December 8th that she would be stepping down in order to focus on her gubernatorial campaign.

The five candidates will also participate in a candidate forum hosted by the Democratic Party of Virginia and moderated by Delegate Elizabeth Guzman on Saturday, December 12th at 7:00 PM. Those interested in viewing the forum can find more information on the event’s Facebook page.

Learn more about the Democratic candidates in contention below:

Keisha Francis

Keisha Francis is a Prince William County resident, a mother of three, and a proud A.K.A. Francis’s platform is focused on education reform, COVID relief, criminal justice reform, and affordable healthcare. Her husband is a small business owner and volunteers with interfaith outreach in their community.

Francis has been endorsed by Emgage.

Rozia A. Henson, Jr.

Rozia A. Henson, Jr. is a Prince William County community leader and activist. Born in the 2nd District, Henson is the youngest candidate in the race, and if elected, he will be the youngest member of the House of Delegates. Henson is a member of the Prince William Young Democrats, and he serves on the Prince William County Historical Commission, representing the Woodbridge District. He works as an Information Technology Program Manager. He describes himself as an openly gay progressive running on a platform centered around affordable housing, jobs, immigration reform, and environmental reform. Henson is the only candidate in the race who has pledged not to take money from Dominion Energy and Appalachian Power.

Henson has been endorsed by Tinesha Allen who serves the Griffis-Widewater District on the Stafford County Board of Supervisors and Christina Shaw, the former president of the Prince William Young Democrats. He has also been endorsed by Amy Saunders, the Director of Equality Stafford.

Candi King

Candi King is a community leader, former small business owner, and a community relations liaison for a leading non-profit organization. A resident of Dumfries, King is an HBCU graduate, a special needs parent advocate, and a community relations specialist. Her husband, Josh King, is a Fairfax County Sheriff’s Deputy and a former candidate for Delegate in the 2nd District. King’s platform is focused on issues surrounding COVID-19, education, transportation, and economic development. The granddaughter of sharecroppers, King has championed causes from challenging Virginia’s “Right To Work” status to addressing funding programs to curb violence in communities. She has worked in the Virginia General Assembly and is experienced in coordinating public policy. One of her mentors is Ohio Congresswoman Marcia Fudge, who was recently appointed to head the Department of Housing and Urban development under President-Elect Joe Biden. 

Pamela Montgomery

Pamela Montgomery is a Veteran and civil rights attorney who currently serves as the Chief of Staff for the Woodbridge District Supervisor. Montgomery is a member of the Prince William County Democratic Committee as well as the 11th Congressional District Democratic Committee. She is also a member of the Woodbridge Potomac Communities Civic Association (WPCCA). Additionally she serves as Chair of the Bethel Youth & Family Services Foundation. She is also the immediate past president of the Woodbridge Rotary Club. Her platform is focused on  jobs, healthcare, and affordable housing.

Montgomery has earned four endorsements: Babur Lateef, Chairman of the Prince William County School Board; Lillie Jessie, Occoquan District School Board Representative; Neabsco District Supervisor Victor Angry; and Maggie Hansford, President of the Prince William Education Association.

Nyesha Wilson

Nyesha Wilson is an Army Veteran and community activist. Her platform is centered on economic development within the district, equity in education and health, and criminal justice reform for the Commonwealth. Wilson is a prominent leader in the Black community in Stafford County.


*Eligible voters seeking to cast their ballot this Sunday during the firehouse primary can do so from 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM at the two polling locations listed below:

Stafford County: Courthouse Community Center (29 Stafford Ave, Stafford, VA 22554)

Prince William County: Freedom High School (15201 Neabsco Mills Road, Woodbridge, VA 22191)