Charlie Schmidt wins firehouse primary, becomes nominee for House of Delegates seat

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Community activist Charlie Schmidt will become the Democratic nominee for the House of Delegates seat soon to be vacated by Del. Mike Jones (D-Richmond).

The Democratic Party of Virginia (DPVA) announced Sunday, Dec. 14, that Schmidt has won the party's nomination for Jones's current seat representing House District 77 following its firehouse primary.

Jones last week won a different firehouse primary on Dec. 7 and became the Democratic Party's nominee for the state Senate seat recently left vacant by Lt. Gov.-Elect Ghazala Hashmi.

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Schmidt is a former American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) attorney and a longtime community activist. He has spent his career defending civil rights, supporting small businesses and advocating for environmental justice, per the DPVA.

“Charlie Schmidt ran on providing dignity, safety, and opportunity to all Virginians,” said DPVA Chair Sen. Lamont Bagby (D-Henrico). “His legal and community experience will serve him well in the House of Delegates and I look forward to welcoming him to both the General Assembly and to the Richmond delegation.”

Schmidt will face off against a Republican nominee in the special general election on Jan. 6, 2026. The nominee has not been announced at this time.

The winner will then replace Jones, who's resigning from his post representing House District 77 on Jan. 17, 2026.