About State Senator
About this position
State Senators are members of the state's upper chamber, as part of the state's bicameral legislature. State senators are responsible for voting on: bills related to public policy matters, levels for state spending, raises or decreases in taxes, and whether to uphold or override gubernatorial vetoes.
- Office level
- State
- Election frequency
- Every 4 years
- Typical salary
- $18,000/year + per diem
- Commitment level
- Part Time
- Affiliation
- Partisan
- Positions
- 1 open seat
Election type
- Partisan election (party labels appear on ballots)
- Run-off election
How to run for State Senator
- Step 1
Meet eligibility requirements
Citizen of the United States, a resident of the Commonwealth and a registered voter in the Commonwealth
- Step 2
File for office
- Filing requirements
- Filing fee is 2% of annual salary (major party); signature requirement of 250 signatures
- Filing period
- January 4, 2027 - June 8, 2027
- Paperwork instructions
- Submit paperwork to the Virginia Department of Elections' office.
- Where to file
- Virginia State Board of Elections, 1100 Bank Street, First Floor Richmond, VA 23219
- Filing phone
- 804-864-8901
- Step 3
Launch your campaign
A real campaign starts with a real plan. Get a custom campaign plan from GoodParty.org, personalized for your race and district.
Get started
Need help? You don't have to run alone. Join the GoodParty.org Community to get advice from real independents who have run and won.
Who's currently in office
Learn about who represents you in Virginia.
What this symbol means
Candidates and elected officials with this symbol took the GoodParty.org Pledge, promising to serve people first, independent of both major parties and big-money interests.
- View profile
Luther CifersDistrict 10Republican · Current term 2025 to 2028 - View profileR. DeedsDistrict 11Democratic · Current term 2024 to 2028
- View profile
Michael "Mike" J. JonesDistrict 15Democratic · Current term 2026 to 2028 - View profile
Kannan SrinivasanDistrict 32Democratic · Current term 2025 to 2028 - View profile
Elizabeth B. Bennett-ParkerDistrict 39Democratic · Current term 2026 to 2028
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