Spotsylvania County School Board member Lorita “Rita” C. Daniels announced plans this week to run for the U.S. Senate.
Daniels, who represents the Salem District on the Spotsylvania board, will challenge Sen. Mark Warner for the Democratic nomination in the 2026 contest. Warner, a former Virginia governor, is in his third term in the Senate.
Daniels enters the race focused on restoring accountability, strengthening support for veterans and military families, and ensuring that government prioritizes the needs of everyday Virginians, a statement announcing her candidacy said.
The announcement came on Veterans Day, which it said is a day of reflection and service for Daniels.
She is married to an Air Force veteran, has family members who have served and has championed policies that improve outcomes for military-connected families, the statement said. When she chaired the Spotsylvania School Board, every public school in the county earned the state’s Purple Star designation, recognizing excellence in supporting children of active-duty service members.
“As we honor our veterans, we must move beyond ceremonial gratitude,” Daniels said in the statement. “Service requires action. It requires accountability. It requires leadership grounded in real experience and a commitment to listening before legislating. I am running for the U.S. Senate because Virginians deserve a leader who is present, who pays attention and who stands up for people, not political agendas.”
Daniels has raised concerns about deficiencies in oversight and execution of the Veterans Affairs community care networks, particularly as more veterans are referred to private providers, the statement said.
“This is not about bureaucracy. This is about people,” she said in the statement. “We must ensure that every veteran has timely access to high-quality care, that oversight is strong, that caregivers are supported, and that taxpayer investments are used transparently and responsibly. That is leadership.”
Daniels said her campaign also will focus on reconnecting institutions to the people they serve.
“When people are not heard, communities fracture,” she said. “This campaign is about rebuilding trust and ensuring that voices that have been ignored or overlooked are finally at the center of policy discussions.”
In the coming months, Daniels plans to launch the “Re-Envisioning Virginia Tour,” a statewide listening and engagement initiative, her announcement said. It will bring together veterans, educators, business owners, health care professionals, rural and urban communities, and civic and faith leaders to help guide her policy platform.
Daniels holds a Ph.D. in public administration and policy from Virginia Tech and a master’s degree in public administration from Valdosta State University. She is the mother of three children.
State Sen. Bryce Reeves, a Republican whose 28th District includes part of Spotsylvania County, also has announced plans to run for U.S. Senate in next year’s election.
