Virginia Democrats Vote to Nearly Triple Their Own Pay

Lawmakers raise salaries while campaigning on affordability issues, sparking Republican criticism

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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The Virginia State Senate, with a Democratic majority, has voted to nearly triple their own pay from $18,000 to $50,000 per year. This comes as Virginia Democrats, including Gov. Abigail Spanberger, have been campaigning on affordability issues for their constituents. Republicans have criticized the pay raise as hypocritical, arguing that teachers only received a 3% raise while lawmakers gave themselves a 300% increase.

Why it matters

The pay raise for Virginia lawmakers has raised questions about legislative priorities and whether Democrats are practicing what they preach when it comes to affordability. It highlights the potential disconnect between lawmakers' personal financial interests and the economic challenges facing their constituents.

The details

The pay raise, if approved by the House and signed by the governor, would increase senators' salaries from $18,000 to $50,000 per year. Proponents argue the current structure restricts who can afford to serve as a lawmaker, while critics say it is the "wrong time" to address lawmaker pay when the focus should be on affordability for working families. Republicans have accused Democrats of an "affordability hoax" and criticizing the party for killing a repeal of the car tax while increasing the state budget by $1 billion.

  • The Virginia State Senate and its Democratic majority voted for the pay raise as part of their final budget proposal.
  • The pay raise provision must still survive the House reconciliation process and reach Gov. Abigail Spanberger's desk to be enacted.

The players

Virginia State Senate

The upper chamber of the Virginia legislature, which has a Democratic majority and voted for the pay raise.

Gov. Abigail Spanberger

The Democratic governor of Virginia who will decide whether to sign the budget containing the pay raise provision.

Virginia Senate Minority Caucus

The Republican members of the Virginia State Senate who have criticized the pay raise as hypocritical.

Sen. Mark Obenshain

A Republican state senator who said the pay raise is the "wrong time" to address lawmaker compensation.

Winsome Sears

The Republican nominee for Virginia governor who campaigned on repealing the car tax, which Democrats voted against.

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What they’re saying

“The affordability hoax just gets worse and worse.”

— Virginia Senate Minority Caucus (WVTF)

“It's supposed to be affordability for working families across Virginia, not members of the General Assembly.”

— Sen. Mark Obenshain, R-Rockingham (WVTF)

What’s next

The pay raise provision must still be approved by the Democrat-controlled Virginia House of Delegates and signed into law by Gov. Spanberger to take effect.

The takeaway

This pay raise for Virginia lawmakers highlights the potential disconnect between the personal financial interests of elected officials and the economic challenges facing their constituents. It raises questions about legislative priorities and whether Democrats are practicing the affordability message they have been campaigning on.