Carl Bedell
Carl Bedell (Democratic Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent Virginia's 7th Congressional District. He lost in the Democratic primary on June 18, 2024.
Bedell completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Carl Bedell served in the U.S. Army from 2000 to 2005. Bedell earned a bachelor's degree from the Washington University in St. Louis in 2000 and a law degree from the University of Georgetown Law Center in 2009. His career experience includes working as an attorney and federal consultant.[1]
Elections
2024
See also: Virginia's 7th Congressional District election, 2024
Virginia's 7th Congressional District election, 2024 (June 18 Democratic primary)
Virginia's 7th Congressional District election, 2024 (June 18 Republican primary)
General election
General election for U.S. House Virginia District 7
Eugene Vindman defeated Derrick Anderson in the general election for U.S. House Virginia District 7 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Eugene Vindman (D)  | 51.1 | 195,350 |
 | Derrick Anderson (R) | 48.9 | 187,074 | |
| Total votes: 382,424 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Craig Ennis (Independent)
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. House Virginia District 7
The following candidates ran in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Virginia District 7 on June 18, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Eugene Vindman | 49.3 | 17,263 |
 | Elizabeth Guzman | 15.1 | 5,283 | |
 | Briana Sewell | 13.4 | 4,706 | |
 | Andrea Bailey | 12.5 | 4,381 | |
 | Margaret Franklin | 5.8 | 2,034 | |
 | Carl Bedell | 2.1 | 738 | |
 | Clifford Heinzer | 1.8 | 621 | |
| Total votes: 35,026 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Mohamed Bourakba (D)
Republican primary election
Republican primary for U.S. House Virginia District 7
The following candidates ran in the Republican primary for U.S. House Virginia District 7 on June 18, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Derrick Anderson | 45.2 | 16,338 |
 | Cameron Hamilton | 37.2 | 13,448 | |
 | Jonathon Myers | 12.9 | 4,660 | |
 | John Prabhudoss | 2.0 | 729 | |
 | Maria Martin | 1.7 | 625 | |
 | Terris Todd | 1.0 | 373 | |
| Total votes: 36,173 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Jeffrey Sacks (R)
- Shaliek Tarpley (R)
Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Bedell in this election.
Campaign themes
2024
Campaign website
Bedell’s campaign website stated the following:
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Climate Change and Clean Energy Climate change poses the largest environmental challenge we face - it threatens our economy, our water and food supply, and our national security. We must include environmental impact considerations in every act of Congress. We can use our federal legislative powers to provide funding that spurs innovation that combats climate change, while also driving economic growth. By investing in cutting-edge technologies, we can improve the efficiency of renewable energy, curb methane and carbon emissions, and secure America’s place as the global leader in clean energy. I will support legislation that builds a competitive clean energy economy that puts workers and communities first, accelerates the transition to clean energy, prioritizes a modernized renewable energy infrastructure and enforces emissions reduction programs. But these efforts must also ensure that clean energy solutions have minimal environmental impact. This means scrutinizing every aspect of technologies such as electric vehicle batteries and wind turbines, from production to disposal. By prioritizing environmental stewardship throughout the lifecycle of clean energy technologies, we can effectively mitigate potential harm and pave the way for a sustainable future that safeguards our planet and natural resources for future generations. Criminal Justice Reform The U.S. has the highest incarceration rate of any nation in the world—higher than China, Russia, or Iran—whether measured in total prisoners or percent of population. Virginia has an incarceration rate of 749 per 100,000 people - the 17th highest rate of all states, and a higher rate than the U.S. average overall. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the U.S. spends $81 billion annually on mass incarceration, a figure that may be an underestimate, with the Prison Policy Initiative suggesting the actual cost is closer to $182 billion. With one in three working-age adults in the U.S. having an arrest or conviction record, barriers to employment hurt our economy and exacerbate labor shortages. We must reform our criminal justice system. This means reevaluating mandatory minimum sentences, enhancing police accountability, and investing in initiatives addressing the root causes of crime, including poverty, mental illness, and substance abuse. Prioritizing reentry is paramount. Returning citizens confront significant challenges in securing safe and affordable housing, facing nearly 10 times higher rates of homelessness compared to the general public. Limited housing exacerbates difficulties in finding employment, accessing healthcare, and reintegrating into society. As your representative, I will advocate for policies and legislation aimed at addressing racial and socioeconomic disparities, emphasizing rehabilitation over punishment, strengthening reentry programs, and implementing community-based crime prevention strategies. Economic Growth I believe every American should have the opportunity to succeed and prosper in the 21st-century economy. My priorities include making healthcare more accessible and affordable, addressing the student debt crisis, raising the minimum wage to ensure fair compensation for hard work, and making housing more affordable by expanding access to affordable housing options and combating predatory practices in the housing market. I believe investing in infrastructure is an investment in the economy. The bipartisan Infrastructure Investment Jobs Act presents a crucial opportunity to enhance our Nation’s transportation, water, electricity, connectivity, and aviation infrastructure, revitalize local economies, and ensure good-paying jobs are created in the process. To ensure economic fairness, I will support measures to hold corporations and the wealthy accountable for their fair share of taxes by closing loopholes and implementing progressive tax policies. Addressing inflation and corporate monopolies are also essential to create a competitive economy and marketplace where small businesses thrive and consumers benefit from fair prices and choices. Together, let's build an economy that promotes fairness, opportunity, and sustainability and benefits all Americans, not just a privileged few. Education Investing in education is crucial to unlocking our Nation's potential and addressing our most pressing challenges. I will advocate for greater federal investment in education to strengthen our schools and promote access to quality education for all students. Examples include increasing tax deductions for out-of-pocket expenses teachers incur and providing educators who work a full school year with tax credits and student loan forgiveness. I will also work to correct the formula used to distribute funding under the Individual with Disabilities Education Act so that Virginia receives equitable federal funding for special education. Investing in education is an investment in our Nation’s future. Foreign Policy and National Defense America must continue to serve as a beacon of liberty and global leadership, advancing peace, security, and prosperity worldwide. This entails cultivating and nurturing strategic alliances with like-minded nations, employing a comprehensive approach across diplomacy, foreign aid, intelligence, and economic strategies. We must lead global intelligence efforts, strengthening partnerships to address emerging threats and combat the spread of weapons of mass destruction while fortifying our national infrastructure. Upholding democratic principles is paramount, safeguarding elections and protecting against threats to our safety, privacy, and prosperity, including cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns. We have a moral obligation and a national security imperative to safeguard our nation and the world. Central to our mission is the modernization of our military, a vital step that entails prioritizing investments in cutting-edge technology while streamlining outdated programs and unnecessary expenditures. We must ensure our courageous servicemen and women receive the training, equipment, and unwavering support they need during deployments and the care they rightfully deserve upon returning home. Gun Safety I support the Constitutional right of Americans to own guns, however, we must pass legislation that requires responsible common-sense gun ownership and that keeps guns out of the hands of those who would use them for violent crimes. Gun safety reforms should encompass universal background checks, bolstering mental health resources, and advocating for wider adoption of red flag laws. By striking a balance between protecting the Second Amendment and implementing sensible gun ownership requirements, we can better secure our communities from the scourge of gun violence. Healthcare As a Nation, we spend more per capita on healthcare than any other developed country, yet our health outcomes in areas such as life expectancy, infant mortality, and chronic disease management often lag those of other developed nations. Our healthcare system needs reform. I will support legislation that expands healthcare coverage and reins in costs so that people can afford to stay healthy without going into debt. I will fight to lower the cost of prescription drugs and advocate for greater transparency and accountability around prescription drug pricing. I will develop solutions to ensure our rural communities have access to equitable, affordable, high-quality health. I will support innovation in health technology that allows for better treatment options, empowers medical professionals, enhances patient care, and saves lives. Immigration Our Nation’s immigration system is broken. Stringent eligibility requirements, limited immigration quotas, and massive backlogs in our nation’s immigration courts hinder legal pathways and leave millions of immigrants in limbo. Immigration reform and addressing barriers to legal immigration are crucial for reducing illegal migration. As Americans, we must acknowledge immigrants’ vital role in our communities, labor force, and economy, including their significant tax contributions. In Virginia alone, immigrants contribute billions in taxes and hold tremendous spending power. They fill essential jobs in healthcare, STEM, agriculture, construction, hospitality, and other industries that are essential to our state’s economy. As your representative, I will advocate for bipartisan, commonsense immigration reform that will strengthen border security and increase pathways to legal citizenship at the border and for the millions of undocumented immigrants who are already living, working, and paying taxes in the U.S. and across the Commonwealth. By embracing immigration reform that combines security with compassion, I believe we can build a system that upholds our values, strengthens our borders, and honors the contributions of immigrants who have enriched our society for generations. Infrastructure Our Nation's infrastructure is in dire need of attention, with the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) rating U.S infrastructure at a concerning 'C-'. In Virginia, our infrastructure received a 'C' rating in 2022, ranking the Commonwealth 38th overall in the nation. To propel Virginia's economy forward, we must prioritize robust and sustainable infrastructure investments. This entails enhancing broadband access, expanding transportation networks, and supporting industry workforce initiatives to fuel long-term economic growth. The bipartisan Infrastructure Investment Jobs Act presents a crucial opportunity to tackle our infrastructure challenges, create jobs, and enhance transportation, water, electricity, connectivity, and aviation infrastructure. As your representative, I am committed to championing the implementation of the IJJA and advocating for sustained infrastructure investment, ensuring Virginia's prosperity and competitiveness in the 21st-century economy. Veterans As a former Army Officer and the son of two Veterans, I understand the sacrifice of service and believe that each Veteran deserves the benefits and support they have earned. As an accredited attorney with the Department of Veterans Affairs, I have spent over a decade representing Virginia’s veterans and their families to ensure they obtain the benefits, support, care, and recognition to which they are entitled. This experience has highlighted the challenges many Veterans and their families face, including health problems, employment issues and struggles around accessing their benefits—immediately after service but also in the years that follow. Post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, hearing loss, illnesses caused by toxic exposure, and other injuries can show up years later and affect any stage of life. Struggles transitioning to civilian life can cause serious problems, including depression, homelessness, and increased risk of crisis. We must honor the sacrifices of the men and women who have served our country by ensuring they have access to vital services, benefits, and assistance. I will work to lower healthcare costs, expand access to high-quality care, and expand access and improve the quality of mental healthcare for Veterans and their families. I will strongly advocate for policies and funding to alleviate Veteran homelessness, address mental illness and trauma, reduce Veteran suicide rates, and provide expanded services and support for justice-involved Veterans and Veterans navigating addiction and recovery. Women's Healthcare Every woman should have the right to make her own healthcare decisions. To uphold this fundamental principle, I will fervently support legislation that codifies this right and safeguards unhindered access to the full range of reproductive health services, including contraception and safe, legal abortion. [2] |
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| —Carl Bedell’s campaign website (2024)[3] | ||
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Carl Bedell completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Bedell's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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Veteran. Attorney. Moderate Democrat.
- I am running to represent the Virginia 7th Congressional District in Congress because I believe our nation deserves better representation than what we have received. Our nation is more divided than it has been in generations and our district mirrors that division. We deserve representation that can bridge those divides and find solutions to address the issues that affect our daily lives.
- We deserve representation that is compassionate about social issues, concerned about the environment, but also understands the economics that drive jobs creation and supports growth in our communities. We deserve representation that understands the geopolitics of our world and the causes of the international turmoil that threaten the security of our nation.
- We deserve representation that looks for common ground to develop common sense solutions and that puts people before politics.
Social justice, environmental issues, veterans, national security
My parents. My mother served in the Army for 30+ years, retiring as a Colonel. My father was an entrepreneur, coach and stay-at-home Dad. They instilled in me the values of honesty, integrity, work ethics, and that every person should have the opportunity to achieve their potential.
Honesty and integrity.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
See also
2024 Elections
External links
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Candidate U.S. House Virginia District 7 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on January 25, 2024
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Carl Bedell’s campaign website, “The Issues,” accessed June 14, 2024
