Irene Shin

Last updated

She announced a primary campaign against Delegate Ibraheem Samirah for District 86 in 2021. [10] Despite challenging an incumbent Democrat, Shin received support from the Virginia Democratic Party establishment including multiple state legislators. [11] She defeated Samirah in the June primary by 230 votes and out-raised him by over $100,000. [2]

She defeated Republican Julie Perry in the general election by a margin of 65–34%. [12]

Tenure

On June 3, 2025, Shin announced her candidacy for the special election in Virginia's 11th congressional district to replace deceased incumbent Gerry Connolly. [3] U.S. senator Andy Kim from New Jersey endorsed her and was featured in her opening campaign video. [13] She finished second in the firehouse primary on June 28 with 14.3% of the vote, losing to James Walkinshaw. [14]

Personal life

She moved to Virginia in 2014 and lives in Herndon. [4] She identifies as Buddhist. [5] She is married to Peter.[ citation needed ]

Electoral history

2021

Irene Shin
2025 State of the Commonwealth, Virginia, Irene Shin (3x4 cropped).jpg
Shin in 2025
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates
Assumed office
January 12, 2022
Virginia's 86th House of Delegates district Democratic primary, 2021 [15]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Irene Shin 3,415 51.7
Democratic Ibraheem Samirah (incumbent)3,18548.3
Total votes6,600 100.0
Virginia's 86th House of Delegates district, 2021 [16]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Irene Shin 19,296 65.4
Republican Julie Perry10,11634.3
Write-in 900.3
Total votes29,502 100.0
Democratic hold

2023

Virginia's 8th House of Delegates District, 2023 general election [17]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Irene Shin (incumbent) 14,851 67.65%
Republican Max Fisher7,02331.99%
Write-in 790.36%
Total votes21,953 100%
Democratic hold

2025

2025 Virginia 11th Congressional District Democratic primary results [18]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic James Walkinshaw 22,403 59.64%
Democratic Irene Shin5,36814.29%
Democratic Stella Pekarsky 5,04313.43%
Democratic Amy Roma2,6977.18%
Democratic Dan Lee7101.89%
Democratic Leopoldo Martínez Nucete 4981.33%
Democratic Amy Papanu3961.05%
Democratic Priya Punnoose2320.62%
Democratic Candice Bennett1900.51%
Democratic Ross William Branstetter IV250.07%
Total votes37,562 100.00%

References

  1. "Delegate Irene Shin".
  2. 1 2 Cline, Nathaniel (June 9, 2021). "Shin unseats Samirah for Democratic nomination in 86th House District race; to face Herndon teacher Julie Perry in November". Loudoun Times-Mirror . Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  3. 1 2 Serre, Jared (June 3, 2025). "JUST IN: Youngkin schedules special election to replace Rep. Gerry Connolly". FFX Now. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  4. 1 2 3 Wilson, Patrick (June 11, 2021). "Meet the three progressive women who unseated attention-grabbing men in Democratic primaries". Richmond Times-Dispatch . Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  5. 1 2 "Virginia House of Delegates Member Listings". virginiageneralassembly.gov. Retrieved 2022-02-07.
  6. O'Connell, Michael (October 21, 2021). "Candidate Profile: Irene Shin For VA House Of Delegates". Patch . Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  7. "Tysons Transportation Service District Advisory Board". Fairfax County . Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  8. Wyatt, Garrett (2024-12-10). "64 Gen Z and Millennial Lawmakers Chosen for Bipartisan Future Caucus Fellowship". Future Caucus. Retrieved 2025-07-14.
  9. "Healthcare". Future Caucus. Retrieved 2025-07-14.
  10. Cline, Nathaniel (February 23, 2021). "Herndon community organizer announces candidacy for 86th District House seat". Loudoun Times-Mirror . Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  11. Flynn, Meagen (June 9, 2021). "Four Democratic incumbents, one Republican ousted in Virginia House primaries". Washington Post . Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  12. Moore, Jack (November 3, 2021). "GOP flips enough seats to tie Va. House of Delegates; some races remain too close to call". WTOP-FM . Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  13. Blanchard, Jack; Burns, Dasha (June 3, 2025). "Playbook: Trump turns the screws". Politico . Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  14. Serre, Jared (June 28, 2025). "BREAKING: James Walkinshaw wins Democratic nod in Congressional special election". FFXnow. Retrieved June 29, 2025.
  15. "2021 June Democratic Primary". Virginia Department of Elections. Archived from the original on 2021-06-10. Retrieved 2021-12-03.
  16. "Nov. 2, 2021 General Election Statewide Candidates". Virginia Department of Elections. Archived from the original on 2021-07-09. Retrieved 2021-12-03.
  17. "Member, House of Delegates (8th District)". elections.virginia.gov. Retrieved April 1, 2024.
  18. "CD-11 UNOFFICIAL RESULTS". Google Docs. 11th Congressional District Democratic Committee. June 28, 2025. Retrieved 29 June 2025.