The candidates are set for a Jan. 13 special election in Virginia’s 23rd House of Delegates district, which includes parts of Stafford and Prince William counties.
Prince William Supervisor Margaret Franklin secured the Democratic nomination in a caucus held Tuesday, the Stafford and Prince William Democratic committees announced on Facebook. And, on Thursday, the Prince William Republican committee named Prince William real-estate agent and Navy veteran Verndell Robinson as the GOP nominee.
Franklin received 225 votes to 109 votes for Muhammed “Sef” Casim, the Democrats said.
Margaret Franklin
“PWCDC and SDC are excited to get behind our nominee, Margaret Angela Franklin, and get to work,” the Dem committees said. “We fully intend to ensure that Margaret is successful in January and are excited to do our part to maintain our 64-seat Democratic majority in the House.”
Across the aisle, the Prince William GOP said in a statement on its website that discussions between Republican leaders in the 23rd District and potential candidates resulted in everyone agreeing that Robinson was the best choice, based on her background and the fact that she had previously run for office. She ran unsuccessfully for Prince William supervisor in 2023.
“The short time period before the special election made it imperative to find a candidate quickly,” the announcement said.
Verndell Robinson
The 23rd District seat opened because Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger recently named Democratic Del. Candi Mundon King as Virginia’s next secretary of the commonwealth.
The secretary manages gubernatorial appointments, clemency requests and constituent services.
