Biography
Joy Powers is the Democratic nominee challenging Rep. Morgan Griffith in Virginia's 9th District. A fourth-generation cattle farmer and small business owner from Bedford County, she ran unsuccessfully for the Virginia House of Delegates in 2025. She describes herself as a Southwest Virginia native running on a "HOME Plan" covering health care, economic opportunity, markets and education for the region.[1][2][3][4]
Powers says she was raised in 4-H and FFA and lives and works on her family's 350-acre cattle farm in Bedford, Virginia; Cardinal News calls her a fourth-generation cattle farmer.[2][4] She describes herself as a small business owner and as the mother of a son she adopted through foster care.[3][4] According to her campaign website, she has served as superintendent of the Bedford County Fair and as a member of the Bedford County Agricultural Economic Development Advisory Board, and she founded Restore the Harvest, an agricultural education organization.[3][4] Her website also lists involvement with Virginia FFA, Virginia 4-H, Chamblissburg Ruritans, the Virginia Simmental Association and the Virginia Farm Bureau, and says she has been a foster care parent and advocate.[4]
Powers was the Democratic nominee for Virginia House of Delegates District 51 in 2025 and lost to Republican incumbent Eric Zehr, 75.4% to 24.5%.[3] She won the August 4, 2026 Democratic primary for the 9th District, defeating Adam Murphy and Douglas Crockett.[1]
- 1.Virginia's 9th Congressional District election, 2026 · Ballotpedia · 2026-09-25 Reference
- 2.Griffith seeks a ninth term in the 9th District. This time, he faces a cattle farmer from Bedford County. · Cardinal News · 2026-09-29 News report
- 3.Joy Powers · Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey · 2026 Candidate's own words
- 4.Who is Joy · Joy Powers for Congress Candidate's own words
Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21.
