(STAFFORD, Va.) —   Accusations have been flying in Virginia’s 1st and 7th congressional districts this election cycle, as candidates sought to undercut their opponents in hard-fought races.

Questions about an incumbent’s wealth  and a challenger’s handling of a  child-abuse prosecution have been ammunition in Virginia’s 1st Congressional District race. Both campaigns have run ads with claims that fact-checkers have questioned.

Democratic challenger Shannon Taylor’s “Getting Rich” campaign ad claims that Republican Rep. Rob Wittman became up to 40 times wealthier during his congressional career. [Source: Shannon Taylor campaign/YouTube]

Strotman pleaded no contest to nine felony charges and received a three-year prison sentence, the maximum allowed under the agreement. She’s also barred from nursing, related health care work, and working with minors or vulnerable adults.

For her part, Taylor’s “Getting Rich” ad claims Wittman’s wealth increased up to 40-fold during his nearly two decades in Congress and questions his stock investments.His financial disclosures show a substantial increase in assets since 2008, but the figures are reported in broad ranges. That makes it impossible to confirm the ad’s claim.

Wittman told The Associated Press that much of his family’s increased wealth came from inheritances. His campaign said outside advisers manage his investments. WWBT reviewed a Taylor ad containing the wealth claim and rated it “Mostly True or Needs Context.”

Ollivant Says Vindman Isn’t Listening

In Virginia’s 7th Congressional District, Republican Doug Ollivant accused Rep. Eugene Vindman of ignoring constituents, while Vindman’s ads focus on rising household costs and falling ethics in Congress.

Democratic Rep. Eugene Vindman (left) faces Republican Doug Ollivant in Virginia’s 7th Congressional District on Nov. 3, 2026. [Photos: vindman.house.gov and dougforvirginia.com]

His financial disclosures show a substantial increase in assets since 2008, but the figures are reported in broad ranges. That makes it impossible to confirm the ad’s claim.

Wittman told The Associated Press that much of his family’s increased wealth came from inheritances. His campaign said outside advisers manage his investments.

WWBT reviewed a Taylor ad containing the wealth claim and rated it “Mostly True or Needs Context.”

Screenshot from Republican Doug Ollivant’s campaign ad showing a diner scene with the message “Working Virginians Are Paying the Price,” criticizing Democratic Rep. Eugene Vindman. [Source: Ollivant for Congress/Meta Ad Library]

Political ad tracker Semblen flagged the wording as exaggeration, citing the lack of specifics behind the claim.

Vindman Focuses on Electricity Costs and Ethics

Vindman’s Oct. 14 digital ad addresses rising electricity bills, data-center oversight, and a proposed ban on congressional insider trading.

The ad doesn’t mention Ollivant. Semblen identified no rhetorical techniques in its written text, although that finding does not independently verify the ad’s claims.