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U.S. House · Virginia's 3rd District

Virginia's 3rd Congressional District (Newport News, Hampton, Portsmouth, and part of Norfolk)

General election · Tuesday, November 3, 2026

RESULT · UNOFFICIAL UNTIL CERTIFIED

Robert C. Scott, projected winner

CandidateVotesShare
Bobby Scott180,11372.6%
Edwin Rivera Jr.59,64324%
Makiba Gaines3,9511.6%
Stephen Woll3,9361.6%
Total Write-ins5120.2%

About 98% of the expected vote counted. As of November 9. Winners take office next year. Counts can change until states certify. NBC News ↗

Sources re-checked September 25, 2026 · How we research

  • Both primaries were canceled. Incumbent Robert C. "Bobby" Scott advanced unopposed as the Democratic nominee, and Edwin Rivera advanced unopposed as the Republican nominee.[1]

On the November 3 ballot · 4 candidates

Robert C. ScottDINCUMBENTPROJECTED WINNERU.S. Representative, Virginia's 3rd District (since 1993)Full profile →Edwin RiveraRFull profile →Makiba GainesINDFull profile →Stephen WollINDFull profile →

Issue evidence — side by side

Recorded votes, documented positions and candidates’ own words are shown with sources. “In their own words” quotes a candidate on the topic without inferring a stance. Votes describe specific bills or motions; they do not establish overall support or opposition to a broad issue. A dash means our research has no evidence on that topic, not that the candidate has no position.

Protect legal access to abortion

  • Robert C. Scott
    Recorded votes[40][41][42]

    Voted yes on Women's Health Protection Act of 2021 (H.R. 3755, 2021-09-24). Voted yes on Women's Health Protection Act of 2022 (H.R. 8296, 2022-07-15). Voted no on Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (H.R. 36, 2017-10-03), which would have banned most abortions after 20 weeks.

  • Edwin Rivera
    —
  • Makiba Gaines
    —
  • Stephen Woll
    —

Stricter gun laws

  • Robert C. Scott
    Recorded votes[35][36][37][38]

    Voted yes on Bipartisan Background Checks Act (H.R. 8, 2019-02-27), which would have required background checks on most private gun sales. Voted yes on Assault Weapons Ban of 2022 (H.R. 1808, 2022-07-29), which would have banned the sale of many semiautomatic assault weapons. Voted yes on Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (S. 2938, 2022-06-24), which expanded background checks for buyers under 21 and funded state red-flag programs. Voted no on Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act (H.R. 38, 2017-12-06), which would have required states to honor other states' concealed-carry permits.

  • Edwin Rivera
    —
  • Makiba Gaines
    —
  • Stephen Woll
    —

Expand immigration enforcement and deportations

  • Robert C. Scott
    Recorded votes[18][19][20][21][22][23][24]

    Voted no on Laken Riley Act (S. 5, 2025-01-22). Voted no on One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025-05-22; 2025-07-03), which funded expanded immigration enforcement, detention and border operations. Voted no on Secure the Border Act of 2023 (H.R. 2, 2023-05-11). Voted yes on American Dream and Promise Act of 2019 (H.R. 6, 2019-06-04; 2021-03-18).

  • Edwin Rivera
    —
  • Makiba Gaines
    —
  • Stephen Woll
    —

Raise taxes on high earners or corporations

  • Robert C. Scott
    Recorded votes[19][20][21][31][30]

    Voted no on One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025-05-22; 2025-07-03; 2017-12-20), which made the 2017 individual tax rates, including the 37% top rate, permanent. Voted yes on Inflation Reduction Act (H.R. 5376, 2022-08-12), which added a 15% minimum tax on large corporations and a stock-buyback excise tax.

  • Edwin Rivera
    —
  • Makiba Gaines
    —
  • Stephen Woll
    —

Expand public health coverage

  • Robert C. Scott
    Recorded votes[19][20][21][26][27][28]

    Voted no on One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025-05-22; 2025-07-03), which reduced federal Medicaid spending and added Medicaid work requirements. Voted yes on Breaking the Gridlock Act (H.R. 1834, 2026-01-08), which extended enhanced ACA premium subsidies. Voted yes on Affordable Care Act (H.R. 3590, 2010-03-21). Voted no on American Health Care Act (H.R. 1628, 2017-05-04), which would have capped federal Medicaid funding and ended enhanced funding for the Medicaid expansion.

  • Edwin Rivera
    —
  • Makiba Gaines
    —
  • Stephen Woll
    —

Faster transition away from fossil fuels

  • Robert C. Scott
    Recorded votes[19][20][21][29][30]

    Voted no on One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025-05-22; 2025-07-03), which phased out Inflation Reduction Act clean-energy tax credits. Voted yes on Build Back Better Act (H.R. 5376, 2021-11-19; 2022-08-12), which would have funded clean-energy tax credits.

  • Edwin Rivera
    —
  • Makiba Gaines
    —
  • Stephen Woll
    —

Increase police funding and staffing

  • Robert C. Scott
    —
  • Edwin Rivera
    Supports[3]

    His campaign platform says to increase and fully fund law enforcement and community-based programs.

  • Makiba Gaines
    —
  • Stephen Woll
    —

Raise the minimum wage

  • Robert C. Scott
    Recorded votes[39]

    Voted yes on Raise the Wage Act (H.R. 582, 2019-07-18).

  • Edwin Rivera
    —
  • Makiba Gaines
    —
  • Stephen Woll
    —

Broad tariffs on imported goods

  • Robert C. Scott
    Recorded votes[34]

    Voted yes on Resolution disapproving tariffs on Canada (H.J. Res. 72, 2026-02-11), which disapproved the tariffs on Canadian imports.

  • Edwin Rivera
    —
  • Makiba Gaines
    —
  • Stephen Woll
    —

Universal, publicly funded child care

  • Robert C. Scott
    Recorded votes[29]

    Voted yes on Build Back Better Act (H.R. 5376, 2021-11-19), which would have funded universal pre-K and child-care subsidies.

  • Edwin Rivera
    —
  • Makiba Gaines
    —
  • Stephen Woll
    —

Require documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote

  • Robert C. Scott
    Recorded votes[25]

    Voted no on SAVE Act (H.R. 22, 2025-04-10).

  • Edwin Rivera
    —
  • Makiba Gaines
    —
  • Stephen Woll
    —

Require Congress to approve U.S. military action abroad

  • Robert C. Scott
    Recorded votes[32][33]

    Voted yes on War 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. Voted yes on War 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.

  • Edwin Rivera
    —
  • Makiba Gaines
    —
  • Stephen Woll
    —

Research notes & limits

No biography, campaign website, or public statements were found for independent candidates Makiba Gaines or Stephen Woll within the research budget, so their entries are minimal. Edwin Rivera's campaign site (edwinriveraforcongress.com) returned a 403 bot challenge and could not be read; his entry is unchanged. Makiba Gaines's site states general priorities but no positions on the guide's issues. Makiba Gaines's and Stephen Woll's biographies come from their own campaign materials and, for Gaines, a BallotReady profile; they are self-described, and no independent news profile was found for either. Edwin Rivera's biography rests on Ballotpedia only because his campaign website could not be loaded.

Sources · 50

Researched 2026-09-25. Green citations are official government records.

  1. 1.United States House of Representatives elections in Virginia, 2026 · Ballotpedia · 2026-09-25 Reference
  2. 2.Bobby Scott (Virginia) · Ballotpedia · 2026-09-25 Reference
  3. 3.Edwin Rivera's campaign website, quoted by Ballotpedia (July 10, 2026) · Edwin Rivera campaign, via Ballotpedia · 2026-07-10 Candidate's own words
  4. 4.Gun Safety | Congressman Bobby Scott · Office of Rep. Bobby Scott · 2026-10-03 Official record
  5. 5.Health Care | Congressman Bobby Scott · Office of Rep. Bobby Scott · 2026-10-03 Official record
  6. 6.Energy & Environment | Congressman Bobby Scott · Office of Rep. Bobby Scott · 2026-10-03 Official record
  7. 7.Scott Statement on Trump’s Recession Day · Office of Rep. Bobby Scott · 2025-04-02 Official record
  8. 8.Scott Joins Virginia House Democrats to Oppose Proposed ICE Facilities in Hanover and Stafford Counties · Office of Rep. Bobby Scott · 2026-02-03 Official record
  9. 9.Vote Makiba Gaines · Makiba Gaines for Congress · 2026-10-19 Candidate's own words
  10. 10.Bobby Scott (Virginia) · Ballotpedia · 2026-09-25 Reference
  11. 11.Bobby Scott (politician) · Wikipedia · 2026-10-21 Reference
  12. 12.Congressman Bobby Scott · Office of Rep. Bobby Scott · 2026-10-21 Official record
  13. 13.Virginia's 3rd District election results 2026 · NBC News News report
  14. 14.H.R. 2743, the Raise the Wage Act of 2025 (Raise the Wage Act of 2025) — sponsors and cosponsors · Congress.gov Official record
  15. 15.H.R. 12, the Women's Health Protection Act of 2025 (Women’s Health Protection Act of 2025) — sponsors and cosponsors · Congress.gov Official record
  16. 16.H.Con.Res. 38 (Directing the President pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution to remove United States Armed Forces from unauthorized hostilities in the Islamic Republic of Iran.) — sponsors and cosponsors · Congress.gov Official record
  17. 17.H.Con.Res. 40 (Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran.) — sponsors and cosponsors · Congress.gov Official record
  18. 18.Roll call: Laken Riley Act — final passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2025-01-22 Official record
  19. 19.Roll call: One Big Beautiful Bill Act — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2025-05-22 Official record
  20. 20.H.R. 1 (119th Congress) — One Big Beautiful Bill Act: text and summary · Congress.gov Official record
  21. 21.Roll call: One Big Beautiful Bill Act — final passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2025-07-03 Official record
  22. 22.Roll call: Secure the Border Act of 2023 — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2023-05-11 Official record
  23. 23.Roll call: American Dream and Promise Act of 2019 — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2019-06-04 Official record
  24. 24.Roll call: American Dream and Promise Act of 2021 — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2021-03-18 Official record
  25. 25.Roll call: SAVE Act — proof-of-citizenship voter registration · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2025-04-10 Official record
  26. 26.Roll call: Breaking the Gridlock Act — ACA subsidy extension · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2026-01-08 Official record
  27. 27.Roll call: Affordable Care Act — final House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2010-03-21 Official record
  28. 28.Roll call: American Health Care Act — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2017-05-04 Official record
  29. 29.Roll call: Build Back Better Act — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2021-11-19 Official record
  30. 30.Roll call: Inflation Reduction Act — final House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2022-08-12 Official record
  31. 31.Roll call: Tax Cuts and Jobs Act — final House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2017-12-20 Official record
  32. 32.Roll call: War Powers Resolution on Venezuela · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2025-12-17 Official record
  33. 33.Roll call: War Powers Resolution directing removal of forces from Iran hostilities · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2026-06-03 Official record
  34. 34.Roll call: Resolution disapproving tariffs on Canada · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2026-02-11 Official record
  35. 35.Roll call: Bipartisan Background Checks Act — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2019-02-27 Official record
  36. 36.Roll call: Assault Weapons Ban of 2022 — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2022-07-29 Official record
  37. 37.Roll call: Bipartisan Safer Communities Act — final House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2022-06-24 Official record
  38. 38.Roll call: Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2017-12-06 Official record
  39. 39.Roll call: Raise the Wage Act — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2019-07-18 Official record
  40. 40.Roll call: Women's Health Protection Act of 2021 — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2021-09-24 Official record
  41. 41.Roll call: Women's Health Protection Act of 2022 — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2022-07-15 Official record
  42. 42.Roll call: Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2017-10-03 Official record
  43. 43.Edwin Rivera's campaign website, quoted by Ballotpedia (July 10, 2026) · Ballotpedia · 2026-07-10 Candidate's own words
  44. 44.2026 general election: 3rd Congressional District · Virginia Mercury News report
  45. 45.U.S. House · Virginia's 3rd District results 2026 · NBC News News report
  46. 46.Makiba A. Gaines for Congress · Makiba Gaines for Congress · 2026-10-21 Candidate's own words
  47. 47.Makiba A. Gaines · BallotReady · 2026-10-21 Reference
  48. 48.U.S. House · Virginia's 3rd District results 2026 · NBC News News report
  49. 49.About Steve Woll · Steve Woll for Congress · 2026-10-21 Candidate's own words
  50. 50.U.S. House · Virginia's 3rd District results 2026 · NBC News News report