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BIOGUIDE W000831 · FEC H6VA11066

James Walkinshaw

U.S. Representative for Virginia's 11th District (since 2025)DINCUMBENT

Race
U.S. House · Virginia's 11th District
Result
James Walkinshaw, projected winner
Opponents
Arthur Purves (R); Dianne Blais (G)
Research
Basic

Party line8 votes tracked

8With Democrats
0Against
0Didn't vote

With party = voted the same way as most Democrats who voted.

Said vs. did9 statements · 8 votes

access to comprehensive reproductive health care—including contraception, IVF, abortion, prenatal care, and cancer screenings—is a fundamental right

Protect legal access to abortion

Compare statements with votes ›

On the ballotU.S. House · 11

2026-11-03

James Walkinshaw Dincumbent
Arthur Purves Rchallenger
Dianne Blais Gchallenger

Advanced from the Democratic primary unopposed after other candidates withdrew and the primary was canceled.

Said vs. did

Each documented position next to the recorded floor votes we map to the same issue. Votes are compared one at a time; no overall stance is inferred from them.

Protect legal access to abortionSupports
access to comprehensive reproductive health care—including contraception, IVF, abortion, prenatal care, and cancer screenings—is a fundamental right

His official issues page calls access to comprehensive reproductive health care, including abortion, a fundamental right and says he supports federal legislation to safeguard abortion rights nationwide.[4]

No recorded floor vote in our key-vote set maps to this issue.

Stricter gun lawsSupports
he supports legislation to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, close the Charleston loophole, require background checks on all gun sales

His official issues page says he supports legislation to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, close the Charleston loophole and require background checks on all gun sales.[5]

No recorded floor vote in our key-vote set maps to this issue.

Expand public health coverageSupports
James has stood firmly against cuts to Medicaid, fighting to protect the critical services millions of families depend on, and is pushing Congress to restore Affordable Care Act subsidies that have already lapsed

His official issues page says he is pushing Congress to restore the lapsed Affordable Care Act subsidies and has stood against Medicaid cuts.[6]

  • YESBreaking the Gridlock Act (H.R. 1834, 2026-01-08), which extended enhanced ACA premium subsidies.[7]

1 of 1 vote point the same way as the statement

Faster transition away from fossil fuelsSupports
In Congress, James supports bold federal action to mobilize federal investments in cheap clean energy, climate resilience, and green jobs.

His official issues page says he supports federal investment in clean energy and is working to repeal rollbacks of clean-energy tax credits.[8]

No recorded floor vote in our key-vote set maps to this issue.

Expand immigration enforcement and deportationsOpposes
James has repeatedly held the line against additional funding for ICE and CBP until serious reforms are delivered

His official issues page says he has opposed additional funding for ICE and CBP until reforms are delivered, and supports a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants.[9]

No recorded floor vote in our key-vote set maps to this issue.

Require Congress to approve U.S. military action abroadSupports
He believes no president should drag the country into another war without a vote of Congress and a credible plan presented to the American people.

His official foreign-affairs page says no president should take the country into war without a vote of Congress.[10]

  • YESWar Powers Resolution on Venezuela (H. Con. Res. 64, 2025-12-17), which would have directed the removal of U.S. forces from hostilities against Venezuela absent congressional authorization.[11]
  • YESWar Powers Resolution directing removal of forces from Iran hostilities (H. Con. Res. 86, 2026-06-03), which directed the removal of U.S. forces from hostilities against Iran absent congressional authorization.[12]

2 of 2 votes point the same way as the statement

Broad tariffs on imported goodsOpposes
tariffs that threaten businesses and workers

His official economy page lists the current tariffs among policies he is fighting because of their effect on Northern Virginia businesses and workers.[13]

  • YESResolution disapproving tariffs on Canada (H.J. Res. 72, 2026-02-11), which disapproved the tariffs on Canadian imports.[14]

1 of 1 vote point the same way as the statement

Loosen zoning rules to build more housingSupports
pushing for zoning and permitting reforms to increase housing supply

His official housing page says he has pushed for zoning and permitting reforms to increase housing supply and supports the Road to Housing Act to cut red tape and modernize environmental reviews.[15]

No recorded floor vote in our key-vote set maps to this issue.

Raise the minimum wageSupports

Cosponsored H.R. 2743, the Raise the Wage Act of 2025 (119th Congress), which would raise the federal minimum wage.

Documented position[16]

No recorded floor vote in our key-vote set maps to this issue.

Biography

James Walkinshaw is the Democratic U.S. Representative for Virginia's 11th District and won re-election on November 3, 2026, according to unofficial results; he first won the seat in a 2025 special election after Rep. Gerry Connolly's death. He worked for more than a decade as Connolly's chief of staff and served on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors from 2020 to 2025. In the House he serves on the Oversight and Government Reform and Homeland Security committees.[1][2][3]

Basic profile — the most important sourced facts we found.

Walkinshaw was born on October 22, 1982, in Arlington, Virginia, and grew up in Prince William County.[2] He graduated from New York University in 2005 with a B.A. in politics.[1][2][17] He then worked in Congress for more than a decade as chief of staff to Rep. Gerry Connolly, advising on federal policy, constituent services and regional priorities such as Metro funding and federal workforce protections, and he had earlier managed Connolly's 2007 and 2008 campaigns.[1][2]

Walkinshaw served on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, representing the Braddock District, from 2020 to September 2025, and chaired the board's Legislative and Environmental committees.[1][2] He represented Fairfax County on the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, chaired the Regional Transportation Planning Board, and chaired the Virginia Railway Express Operations Board in 2023.[1] After Connolly's death in May 2025, he won a 10-candidate Democratic primary in June 2025 with about 60% of the vote and then the September 9, 2025 special election over Republican Stewart Whitson, and he was sworn in the next day.[2]

In the House, Walkinshaw serves on the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, including its Military and Foreign Affairs Subcommittee, and the Committee on Homeland Security.[1] According to his official biography, he focuses on the federal workforce and government operations.[1] He founded and co-chairs the Federal Workforce Caucus with Rep. Steny Hoyer and Sen. Chris Van Hollen, and he is also a member of the New Democrat Coalition, the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition and the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.[1] The district includes most of Fairfax County, the City of Fairfax, and the towns of Vienna and Herndon. According to his official biography, Walkinshaw lives in Fairfax with his wife, Yvette, and their son, Mateo.[1] Walkinshaw won the November 3, 2026 general election with 74.3% of the vote to Arthur Purves's 24.2%, according to unofficial results reported by NBC News.[3]

Campaign website ↗

Recent votes

DateParty lineMeasure
2026-06-03With partyvoted yesWar Powers Resolution directing removal of forces from Iran hostilitiesH. Con. Res. 86 · Passed 215–208 · roll call ↗Democrats 211–1 · Republicans 4–207
2026-02-11With partyvoted yesResolution disapproving tariffs on CanadaH.J. Res. 72 · Passed 219–211 · roll call ↗Democrats 213–1 · Republicans 6–210
2026-02-03With partyvoted noConsolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 — full-year government fundingH.R. 7148 · Passed 217–214 · roll call ↗Democrats 21–193 · Republicans 196–21
2026-01-08With partyvoted yesBreaking the Gridlock Act — ACA subsidy extensionH.R. 1834 · Passed 230–196 · roll call ↗Democrats 213–0 · Republicans 17–196
2025-12-17With partyvoted yesWar Powers Resolution on VenezuelaH. Con. Res. 64 · Failed 211–213 · roll call ↗Democrats 208–1 · Republicans 3–212
2025-12-10With partyvoted yesNational Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 — final passageS. 1071 · Passed 312–112 · roll call ↗Democrats 115–94 · Republicans 197–18
2025-11-18With partyvoted yesEpstein Files Transparency ActH.R. 4405 · Passed 427–1 · roll call ↗Democrats 211–0 · Republicans 216–1
2025-11-12With partyvoted noContinuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 — shutdown-ending voteH.R. 5371 · Passed 222–209 · roll call ↗Democrats 6–207 · Republicans 216–2

On the record

Official actions: bills, executive acts, filings and court records.

  • actionServes on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, which oversees the federal workforce, government operations and federal IT management, and on its Military and Foreign Affairs Subcommittee.[18]
  • actionServes on the House Committee on Homeland Security.[18]

In their own words

Priorities

  • Protecting the nonpartisan civil service and supporting fair pay, benefits and treatment for federal employees.[18]
  • Strengthening oversight of federal procurement and information technology and holding the administration accountable.[18]
Campaign money$2.8M raised · 66% from individuals · FEC through 2026-07-15

Totals this cycle

Raised$2.8M
Spent$1.8M
Cash on hand$979K

Bars share one scale (raised = full). Cash on hand can include money carried over from earlier cycles.

Who gave

  • Individuals $1.8M
  • PACs & committees $922K
  • Party $10K

Largest committee contributions

  1. L3harris Technologies, Inc. PAC PAC$20K
  2. Machinists Non Partisan Political League of the International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers PAC$20K
  3. National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association Political Action Com (Narfe-Pac) PAC$19K
  4. International Association of Firefighters Interested in Registration and Education PAC PAC$18K
  5. Common Ground PAC PAC$15K
  6. The Guidehouse Inc. Political Action Committee (Guidehouse PAC) PAC$15K
  7. National Beer Wholesalers Association Political Action Committee PAC$15K
  8. International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Political Action Committee PAC$15K
  9. Commonwealth PAC PAC$15K
  10. Elevance Health, Inc. Political Action Committee (Elevance Health PAC) PAC$15K

Direct contributions only; outside spending is not included. Individual donors are itemized in the FEC’s receipts. All itemized receipts ↗ FEC filing ↗

Profile: /people/james-r-walkinshaw

Where they stood out

Voted against most of their party on 6 of 312 party-divided votes on file.

Most often on: Jobs & cost of living (3), Foreign affairs & defense (3), Transportation (1)

  • Main Street Act

    What it does: Main Street Capital Access Act or the Main Street Act This bill lessens and otherwise modifies banking regulations, including those regarding institution formation, supervision by federal financial regulators, and ban…

    Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 56–154, Republicans 213–1

    Jul 21, 2026Official record ↗

  • Amendment (Boebert) to H.R. 8800 — National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027

    A yes vote supported an H.R. 8800 amendment that strikes section 518, a pilot program using voice-based risk assessment technology to identify servicemembers for drug testing. (AI-written)

    What it does: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027 This bill sets forth policies and authorities for FY2027 for Department of Defense (DOD) programs, activities, and military construction as well as the national…

    Voted no · most Democrats voted yes · Democrats 175–37, Republicans 90–123

    Jul 21, 2026Official record ↗

  • Amendment (Massie) to H.R. 8595 — Making appropriations for national security, Department of State, and related programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2027, and for other purposes.

    A yes vote supported an H.R. 8595 amendment that bars funds in the bill from being used for Israel and cuts the Foreign Military Financing account by $3.3 billion. (AI-written)

    What it does: National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2027 This bill provides FY2027 appropriations for national security, the Department of State, and related programs.

    Voted no · most Democrats voted yes · Democrats 103–98, Republicans 1–215

    Jul 15, 2026Official record ↗

Full voting recordHow this is counted

Their votes on the most contested roll calls

The votes in their chamber that came out closest and most divided by party, among those they voted on. How we rank

See all their split votes

Compare all 3 candidates side by side ›

Sources cited in this profile

  1. 1.Biography | U.S. Representative James Walkinshaw · Office of Rep. James Walkinshaw Official record
  2. 2.James Walkinshaw · Wikipedia · 2026-10-21 Reference
  3. 3.Virginia's 11th District election results 2026 · NBC News News report
  4. 4.Reproductive Freedom · Office of Rep. James Walkinshaw Official record
  5. 5.Reducing Gun Violence · Office of Rep. James Walkinshaw Official record
  6. 6.Protecting Health Care · Office of Rep. James Walkinshaw Official record
  7. 7.Roll call: Breaking the Gridlock Act — ACA subsidy extension · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2026-01-08 Official record
  8. 8.Climate Change · Office of Rep. James Walkinshaw Official record
  9. 9.Immigration · Office of Rep. James Walkinshaw Official record
  10. 10.Foreign Affairs · Office of Rep. James Walkinshaw Official record
  11. 11.Roll call: War Powers Resolution on Venezuela · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2025-12-17 Official record
  12. 12.Roll call: War Powers Resolution directing removal of forces from Iran hostilities · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2026-06-03 Official record
  13. 13.Economy · Office of Rep. James Walkinshaw Official record
  14. 14.Roll call: Resolution disapproving tariffs on Canada · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2026-02-11 Official record
  15. 15.Affordable Housing · Office of Rep. James Walkinshaw Official record
  16. 16.H.R. 2743, the Raise the Wage Act of 2025 (Raise the Wage Act of 2025) — sponsors and cosponsors · Congress.gov Official record
  17. 17.James Walkinshaw · Ballotpedia · 2026-10-21 Reference
  18. 18.Biography | U.S. Representative James Walkinshaw · Office of Rep. James Walkinshaw Official record