By Shirleen Guerra | The Center Square
(The Center Square) – A special election is underway in Virginia’s 17th House District following the resignation of Del. Mark Sickles.
Virginia House Speaker Don Scott formally called the election after Sickles stepped down to join Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger’s incoming administration. Scott issued the notice on Dec. 24, setting the election process in motion.
Fairfax County Democrats are scheduled to hold a party-run firehouse primary on Sunday, Dec. 28, to select their nominee for the seat.
The firehouse primary will determine which Democratic candidate advances to the general special election ballot. House District 17 includes parts of Fairfax County and has consistently elected Democratic candidates, according to data from The Virginia Public Access Project.
The special election for Fairfax County voters is set for Jan. 20, 2026.
The vacancy was created after Sickles resigned from the House of Delegates to take on a new role in Spanberger’s administration, where he is set to serve as Virginia’s next secretary of finance.
Sickles has represented the district since 2004 and most recently won reelection in 2025 with more than 77% of the vote, according to state election results.
At least one candidate has announced plans to run. Fairfax County small business owner and local startup investor Carla Bustillos is seeking the Democratic nomination.
As of publication, no Republican candidate has publicly announced plans to run for the seat.
Sickles has represented the district since 2004 and most recently won the seat in 2025 with 77% of the vote, according to state election results.