Gaza and Military Aid Emerge as Decisive Issues in Virginia’s 6th Congressional District Primary
VIRGINIA — March 17, 2026 — A newly released poll reveals that U.S. policy toward Gaza and military aid to Israel have become decisive factors for voters in Virginia’s upcoming Democratic primary for Congress.
The survey, conducted by Molitico between February 18–22, 2026, among 1,031 likely Democratic primary voters in Virginia’s newly proposed 6th Congressional District, found that concerns about Gaza are widespread among Democratic primary voters in the district:
- 84.83% of respondents agreed that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza
- 85.58% agreed that the United States should stop sending weapons to Israel
The results suggest that U.S. policy toward Israel and Palestine, which was historically considered a peripheral issue in many congressional races, is becoming increasingly salient for Democratic voters. Political observers note that this shift reflects a broader national trend as the war in Gaza continues to reshape political debates and influence primary elections across the country.
Rasoul Sees Largest Surge Once Voters Learn More
The poll also showed that if Palestinian-American Virginia State Delegate Sam Rasoul enters the race, he gains the largest increase in support once respondents are provided with additional information about the potential candidates.
Initially, Tom Perriello led the field with 34.38% support, while Rasoul received 15.47%. However, after voters were presented with more information about the candidates' platforms and backgrounds, Rasoul’s support surged to 27.77%—an increase of more than 12 percentage points. This represented the largest gain among all candidates tested, while Perriello’s support rose more modestly to 37.40%.
What It Means
“The message from voters is clear: people want accountability,” said Basim Elkarra, Executive Director of CAIR Action. “For many voters, Gaza is not a distant foreign policy issue. It’s a moral issue and a political one. Voters are paying close attention to where candidates stand on U.S. military support for Israel and whether they are willing to speak honestly about Palestinian rights.”
Elkarra added that the polling suggests candidates who clearly articulate positions on Palestinian human rights and U.S. military aid may see growing support among voters.
About the Poll
The survey was conducted among 1,031 likely Democratic primary voters in Virginia’s 6th Congressional District with a margin of error of ±3%. Respondents were asked for their candidate preferences before and after receiving additional biographical and policy information.
Initial support:
- Tom Perriello — 34.38%
- Sam Rasoul — 15.47%
Support After Information:
- Tom Perriello — 37.40%
- Sam Rasoul — 27.77%
About CAIR Action
CAIR Action is a 501(c)(4) organization dedicated to engaging, educating, and mobilizing Muslim voters, training emerging leaders, and advancing policy priorities that strengthen the political representation and well-being of Muslim communities.
CONTACT
Basim Elkarra, Executive Director, CAIR Action — belkarra@cairaction.org
CAIR Action Communications — media@cairaction.org
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