ELECTION 2025: In House District 57, Henrico’s most competitive race centers around data centers, affordability – and Trump

Republican incumbent David Owen is facing off against Democratic challenger May Nivar for one of Virginia’s most competitive Virginia House of Delegates seats.

The race for the 57th District seat in the House has generated more than $3.7 million in donations for both candidates, a figure well above what has been raised for other Henrico-area delegate races. The purple but slightly democratic-leaning district – Kamala Harris won with 54% in 2024 – is one of the last districts held by a Republican in Henrico County.

District 57 comprises the Western Henrico neighborhoods of Short Pump, Glen Allen, and Wyndham and parts of Eastern Goochland such as Centerville and Manakin. While most Henrico neighborhoods in the district lean democratic, Eastern Goochland is solidly conservative, with Donald Trump winning some areas by 60% of the vote in 2024.

Owen, a Henrico native who narrowly defeated Democratic candidate Susanna Gibson in 2023, has framed his campaign around “common-sense” and bipartisan leadership. He credited the passing of the biennial budget bill in 2024, which raised teacher pay by 3% and allocated millions to housing assistance programs, as his most significant accomplishment during his first term.

“People in the district want common sense leadership, not extreme partisanship,” Owen said. “As a freshman legislator, I’ve passed and co-patroned 72 bills. I rank as one of the most bipartisan members in Virginia because I’ve made it a priority to work with both sides of the aisle to make life better for the people of Henrico and Goochland.”

However, Nivar has argued that Owen has aligned himself with Trump, amidst a series of controversial Trump administration policies including the passage of the “Big, Beautiful Bill” and the ongoing federal shutdown.

“I don’t care how much he is portraying himself to be a common-sense, bipartisan leader,” Nivar said. “He is not, because he is supporting these policies that have been coming out from the Trump administration – taking away health care, taking away jobs. And I’ll tell you, this is personal. My daughter is a federal employee who is currently working without pay.”

While Owen had joined Republican U.S. Congressman Rob Wittman at an event this past July promoting the tax relief-related measures of the "Big, Beautiful Bill," describing Owen as aligned with Trump policies such as the "Big, Beautiful Bill" would be "inaccurate," said Owen's campaign team.

Nivar, a business executive who lived in Chesterfield for the past twenty years with her family before moving to Short Pump last year, has positioned herself as a staunchly anti-Trump candidate, stating that the Trump administration has negatively impacted residents in the 57th District.

“There are moderates and Republicans who are just fed up with what they are seeing with this Trump administration. We need a delegate who will stand up to Trump and stand up to these issues coming out of D.C.,” she said. “I lived the impact of these types of policy decisions under Trump 1.0 and 2.0, so I know that we can do better.”

Growing impact of data centers

But Trump is not the only figure dominating the election; District 57 also faces a much more local threat – data centers. Data center proposals within Goochland and Hanover would impact two neighborhoods in the district – West Creek and Wyndham – and many residents have come forward to fight against the controversial projects.

Owen said that he does not support either proposal, and has worked with local Goochland officials to secure changes that residents demanded, such as the removal of “by-right” small modular nuclear reactors.

“I have attended numerous community meetings, stood with residents, and worked directly with local government,” he said. “Meanwhile, my opponent has been completely silent on data centers and hasn’t even attended a single community meeting on this issue. Leaders need to show up, listen, and be accountable, especially when a project threatens the quality of life for families.”

According to financial records, real estate company HHHunt, the developer of the data center project near Wyndham, donated $2,500 to Owen’s campaign back in 2022.

Nivar said that she wants to ensure any data center proposal has the necessary environmental safeguards and that all stakeholders, including nearby residents, get a voice in the decision process.

“My approach starts with bringing all stakeholders to the table – local residents, business leaders, environmental experts and local officials – to find solutions that work for the community,” she said. “My priority will always be making sure any kind of development being built in our communities benefits the people who live here.”

As of late October, Nivar had raised more than $2.4 million for her campaign – double what Owen has raised. Nivar has received $45,000 from the environmental organization Green Advocacy Project and $24,000 from Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia, while Owen’s top donations include $49,000 from the Home Builders Association of Virginia and $30,000 from political organization American Culture Project.

Cost-of-living increases impacting voters

Another local issue dominating the ballot is the rising cost of living, particularly the increasing housing prices in the Henrico-Richmond area. The average home now costs $400,000 in Henrico County, creating a barrier to homeownership for many people in the 57th District, said Nivar.

“I want families to have a real shot at stable, affordable housing, and for many, homeownership is how we can all build generational wealth,” she said. “We need to support first-time homebuyers and make sure their house representative supports the needs of our community, not just developers. My opponent David Owen, for example, has voted against supporting first-time homebuyers.”

Owen said that he has supported legislation that has helped increase local government efficiency in the housing approval process, which has helped lower the cost of housing by reducing unnecessary delays, saying it was “the most important housing affordability legislation passed this session.”

“At the end of the day, balance is the goal,” he said. “Adding housing that families can afford while protecting quality of life and letting local government – not the state – make decisions based on what is best for residents.”

Learn more

David Owen’s campaign website
May Nivar’s campaign website

Liana Hardy is the Citizen’s government and education reporter. Support her work and articles like this one by making a contribution to the Citizen.