(The Center Square) – Rising electricity bills, housing costs and data center development are among the issues facing voters in Virginia’s 7th Congressional District, where Democratic Rep. Eugene Vindman is seeking a second term against Republican Doug Ollivant and four other candidates.

The district includes Fredericksburg, parts of Prince William County and communities across Northern and Central Virginia.

Vindman, a retired Army officer elected in 2024, faces Ollivant, a retired Army lieutenant colonel who served as director for Iraq at the National Security Council under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama.

Vindman succeeded Abigail Spanberger, who was elected governor in 2025.

The Cook Political Report rates the race Likely Democratic.

Both major-party candidates have emphasized affordability but proposed different approaches to energy production and federal spending.

Vindman introduced the Make Data Centers Pay Act in October. The legislation would require data centers and other computing facilities with electricity demands of at least 20 megawatts to cover additional costs associated with supplying their electricity rather than passing those expenses to residential customers and small businesses.

Vindman has also opposed the proposed merger between Dominion Energy and NextEra Energy, citing concerns about electricity rates and consumer protections.

Ollivant supports expanding electricity production through natural gas and small modular nuclear reactors. His campaign also includes wind, rooftop solar, hydropower and carbon capture in its energy strategy.

He has said local governments should decide where data centers are built.

Housing affordability is another issue in the race.

Ollivant supports reducing construction and development regulations to increase housing supply. His campaign also proposes exploring the use of federal land for housing.

Vindman introduced legislation to streamline duplicative federal environmental reviews for certain rural housing projects, a change intended to reduce construction delays and costs.

Vindman has criticized tariffs imposed under President Donald Trump, arguing they increase consumer costs. He also introduced the MISSION Rx Act to reduce prescription drug expenses for service members, veterans and military families.

Ollivant supports lowering taxes, reviewing outdated federal programs and reducing unnecessary government spending. His campaign also emphasizes improving veterans’ access to health care and mental health services.

Ollivant announced in October that he had been diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, a form of blood cancer. He said he would remain in the race while undergoing treatment.

Four additional candidates are seeking the seat.

Libertarian Taner Lopez told The Center Square that data center developers should pay infrastructure costs associated with their projects rather than shifting those expenses to households.

His proposed Data Center Community Consent Act would require approval from two-thirds of directly affected property owners before major data center projects could proceed.

Lopez also supports reducing federal spending, simplifying taxes and improving veterans’ access to health care.

Independent Joshua Ertle told The Center Square that data center developers should cover infrastructure costs. He supports expanding natural gas and nuclear energy production, reducing federal spending and improving veterans’ health care.

Ertle also identified traffic problems along Interstate 95 near Fredericksburg as a priority.

Ertle and fellow independent Randall Terry have been associated with a national anti-abortion campaign opposing Virginia’s proposed reproductive rights constitutional amendment.

Terry founded the anti-abortion organization Operation Rescue and was the Constitution Party’s presidential nominee in 2024.

Independent Alaha Ahrar, a human rights advocate and CEO of the nonprofit International Kindness Sharing, is also seeking the seat. Her campaign emphasizes economic opportunities and community development.

Voters will decide the race in Tuesday’s general election.