In 2025, Donald Trump began a nationwide redistricting campaign when he instructed the Texas GOP to gerrymander 5 new Republican seats in their representation to Congress. This resulted in a domino effect of court battles and legislative strong-arming to change Congressional Districts in California, Utah, Missouri, Ohio, and now with the US Supreme Court overturning the Voting Rights Act of 1965, new gerrymandering in Tennessee, Louisiana, North Carolina, and Florida. Virginia proposed having its legislature redraw its districts — this was approved by voters in an election in April - but was overturned by the Virginia Supreme Court.

Nevertheless, Virginia’s 1st Congressional District is competitive this year! One of the candidates running, Ericka Kopp (she/her), is a multi-racial (Black, Hispanic, and white) bisexual millennial attorney in suburban Richmond. Ericka has worked in the Richmond Public Defender’s Office and Wrongful Convictions Clinic, getting a wrongfully imprisoned man released. A 2026 Courage Candidate, this ice hockey player is centering her campaign on free universal healthcare (Medicare for All) and free public education from pre-K through post-secondary schooling.

Where are you based?
I'm based in Henrico County, Virginia.

What position are you running for?
I'm running for the U.S. House of Representatives in Virginia's first district.

How would you briefly summarize your platform?
My platform demands access and accountability through action.

What inspired you to run?
Two big things inspired me to run. First was my oath to the Constitution. It's a similar oath to the one my incumbent took. I live it; he ignores it. The second is that the needs of the people in this district aren't being heard, let alone met. We need someone who answers to the people, not someone who hides from them in tele-town halls, and certainly not someone who only greets their constituents during a re-election campaign.

What change are you hoping to bring to your district and country?
I'm hoping to bring bold leadership centered on the needs of the people of this district, listening more than I speak and serving as a megaphone that amplifies their voices in the nation's capital. Virginia's first district is home to a lot of federal workers who have been rightfully enraged with the destruction of the federal civil service. To date, we've seen no accountability for it either. With a democratic majority in Congress, I look forward to subpoenaing people responsible for this to answer to Congress. Furthermore, people in this district are making difficult choices, such as paying for healthcare or a roof over their heads. And it's only going to get worse when the effects of the Big Ugly Bill fully take shape later this year and next year. It's often said that the United States is the richest country in the world, yet we're also the only developed country without universal healthcare. It's not because we don't have the money, it's that we haven't had the political will to do it. As a grassroots progressive candidate who doesn't take any money from corporations, lobbyists, billionaires, or AIPAC, my only concern is the people of this district.

What do you consider to be your major accomplishments so far?
My greatest accomplishment so far has been receiving positive feedback on my campaign from the people of this district. There is a collective of folks in my district who write an anonymous site called Wittman Watch (for our congressman, Rob Wittman). They described the distinctive features of each of the then-eight candidates in the race. The distinctive feature of my platform is that it is "the most expansive progressive platform in the field." That article can be found here.

What do you feel are the most important issues right now, why, and how do you plan to tackle them?
We've been asking this same question of people in my district at every opportunity. Their responses can be divided into two overarching categories: accountability and affordability. The people are rightfully upset about the costs of everything from housing and healthcare to groceries and gas, the Epstein files, and rampant corruption. Tackling these issues will require a multidisciplinary approach and time. Accountability comes first. Congress needs to pass a war powers resolution to get us out of this illegal war in Iran. Then, Congress must impeach and remove Trump from office first for all of his violations of the Constitution, federal law, and his implication in the Epstein files. The other members of his regime who have violated their oath of office must also be removed. I will work to abolish ICE and the private prison industry. We need accountability from the Supreme Court, too, as they would arguably be the deciding factor between the people and any improvements to their lives. Recently, Representative Cohen (D, TN-09) introduced articles of impeachment against Chief Justice John Roberts. I will sign on to this effort and seek to file articles against additional members of the Court for their conduct. I will also work to pass a law to ensure that the Supreme Court's ethics code is overseen and enforced by Congress. We need legislation enacted that prevents the atrocities we've seen from ever happening again, including making a felony conviction a disqualifying factor for running for federally elected office and creating enforcement mechanisms for federal and constitutional laws, such as the Hatch Act and the Emoluments Clauses. Without those impediments to progress remaining in power, we can then start passing policies that benefit the people at large. I will fight for comprehensive universal healthcare, free public education from pre-K through post-secondary, and to regulate private equity ownership in housing. I will work to create a realistic and humane pathway to citizenship for the members of the immigrant community who have been demonized and terrorized by this regime and agencies under its thumb. Because Congress alone has the constitutional authority to tax and spend, I will work diligently to reform the tax code so that the ultra-rich and corporations pay their fair share, as well as to fund critical programs undercut by DOGE and the Big Ugly Bill. Finally, I will push for the exercise of Congress' subpoena powers to bring in Elon Musk to testify under oath both about statements he's made regarding the 2024 election and the data he stole from the public through DOGE.

America is extremely divided these days. How would you hope to bridge that divide with your constituents to better unite Americans?
First and foremost, it's critically important to me that I be a person who listens and doesn't judge. When we listen to each other, we can find common ground. It's that common ground that's the beginning of — at the very least — some level of understanding. Second, being accessible to constituents from across the political spectrum is a must. I'm committed to holding in-person town halls as frequently as possible, at least three times per year. Third, I have to be honest with people about what the policies I support mean and do. Finally, I will remain grassroots-funded so that there's no question about to whom my loyalty lies. With all of these things combined, even if people disagree with my politics, there should be no legitimate question about my integrity. Leading with integrity is something I hope will help bridge the divide among Americans.

How do you see your unique identity and background to be an asset to you in office?
There has never been a biracial Black woman to represent Virginia's First District. There has never been an out member of the LGBTQ+ community to serve in Congress from Virginia. But it's more than that: representation matters. Who better to fight for these underrepresented communities than someone who is a member of these underrepresented communities?

What is your motto in life?
My motto in life is to keep f***ing going. That motto helped me get into and through law school. It helped me pass the bar. It's helped me to have a successful career fighting for healthcare in courts across Virginia. And, hopefully, it will help me get to advocate for the people of my district.

Where can we find out more about you?
You can find more about me at my website, ErickaKopp.com. There, you can sign up for our newsletter that provides additional updates. I'm also on social media, everywhere except X. You can find me @ek4va on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, YouTube, SubStack, and UpScrolled. My handle on Bluesky is my website address.

Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2026 - Ericka Kopp, Virginia's 1st Congressional District