Springfield keeps two Democratic voices in the House as the new term begins
Springfield residents split between 11th, 8th Districts as both incumbents win
SPRINGFIELD, Va. (Nov. 8) — Most Springfield residents will be represented by Rep. James Walkinshaw in the next Congress, but a portion of the community sits in Virginia's 8th Congressional District, where Rep. Don Beyer won a seventh term in the Nov. 3 midterm elections.
Both Democrats, the two men will be sworn in when the new Congress convenes in January.
Springfield, an unincorporated community in Fairfax County roughly 15 miles southwest of Washington, is divided between the two districts, which together cover much of Northern Virginia. Which one represents a given household depends on its street address.
In the 11th District, Walkinshaw, the incumbent, defeated Republican Arthur Purves and Dianne Blais, taking 74.1% of the vote to Purves' 24.4%, according to unofficial results. Blais drew about 1%. The district takes in most of Springfield, along with the rest of Fairfax County and Fairfax City.
Beyer, who was first elected in 2014, won the 8th District with about 79% of the vote, defeating Republican Tony Sabio, independent Tim Sharman and Libertarian Shelly Arnoldi. Sabio received about 18%. The district includes Arlington, Alexandria and a cluster of Fairfax County precincts, some of them in Springfield.
Residents unsure of their district can enter a street address in the Find Your Representative tool at house.gov.