VA-HD73: Democrat Mehta aims to unseat Republican Earley in Chesterfield-based House District 73 race
The race to represent House District 73, which comprises much of Chesterfield County, represents a litmus test for shifting demographics and partisan tides, and may show which issues motivate Virginia voters beyond party affiliation.
Incumbent Republican Mark Earley Jr. is a lawyer and a first-term delegate who will defend his seat against Democratic challenger Leslie Mehta, who is hoping to make her debut in the House. Neither are strangers to politics, however.
Earley, a lawyer, is the son of former Republican state Attorney General Mark Earley Sr. The younger Earley was first elected in 2023 and previously served in former Gov. Bob McDonnell’s administration.
Mehta, a lawyer who was the former legal director for Virginia’s American Civil Liberties Union chapter, was appointed by Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin to serve on the Rare Disease Council and previously posed an unsuccessful challenge to U.S. Rep. Rob Wittman, R-Westmoreland, for the 1st Congressional District.
https://virginiamercury.com/2025/10/10/democrat-mehta-aims-to-unseat-republican-earley-in-chesterfield-based-house-district-73-race/