Irene Shin
Irene Shin | |
|---|---|
Shin in 2025 | |
| Member of the Virginia House of Delegates | |
| Assumed office January 12, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Ibraheem Samirah |
| Constituency | 86th district (2022–2024) 8th district (2024–present) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 7, 1987 Glendale, California, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | University of California, Riverside (BA) |
Irene Shin (born October 7, 1987)[1] is an American politician and former non-profit executive serving as a delegate of the Virginia House of Delegates since 2022. Shin represents the 8th district, encompassing parts of Chantilly, Herndon, Oak Hill, and Reston. A Democrat, she defeated incumbent Ibraheem Samirah in the Democratic primary in 2021.[2] On June 3, 2025, Shin announced her candidacy for the special election in Virginia's 11th congressional district to replace deceased incumbent Gerry Connolly. However, she lost the primary, placing second behind fellow Democrat James Walkinshaw.[3]
Early life and education
The daughter of Korean immigrants, she was born in Glendale, California and raised in Greater Los Angeles.[4] She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the University of California, Riverside in 2010.[5]
Career
Shin has worked on various Democratic political campaigns, including as finance director for then-Senator Kamala Harris.[6] Until 2024, she was the executive director of non-profit Virginia Civic Engagement Table.[4] Shin serves on the Tysons Transportation District Service Advisory Board for Fairfax County.[7]
Virginia House of Delegates
2021 election
She announced a primary campaign against Delegate Ibraheem Samirah for District 86 in 2021.[8] Despite challenging an incumbent Democrat, Shin received support from the Virginia Democratic Party establishment including multiple state legislators.[9] 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%.[10]
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.[11] She finished second in the firehouse primary on June 28 with 14.3% of the vote, losing to James Walkinshaw.[12]
Personal life
She moved to Virginia in 2014 and lives in Herndon.[4] She identifies as Buddhist.[5] She is married to Peter.
Electoral history
2021
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Irene Shin | 3,415 | 51.7 | |
| Democratic | Ibraheem Samirah (incumbent) | 3,185 | 48.3 | |
| Total votes | 6,600 | 100.0 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Irene Shin | 19,296 | 65.4 | |
| Republican | Julie Perry | 10,116 | 34.3 | |
| Write-in | 90 | 0.3 | ||
| Total votes | 29,502 | 100.0 | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
2023
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Irene Shin (incumbent) | 14,851 | 67.65% | |
| Republican | Max Fisher | 7,023 | 31.99% | |
| Write-in | 79 | 0.36% | ||
| Total votes | 21,953 | 100% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
2025
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | James Walkinshaw | 22,403 | 59.64% | |
| Democratic | Irene Shin | 5,368 | 14.29% | |
| Democratic | Stella Pekarsky | 5,043 | 13.43% | |
| Democratic | Amy Roma | 2,697 | 7.18% | |
| Democratic | Dan Lee | 710 | 1.89% | |
| Democratic | Leopoldo Martínez Nucete | 498 | 1.33% | |
| Democratic | Amy Papanu | 396 | 1.05% | |
| Democratic | Priya Punnoose | 232 | 0.62% | |
| Democratic | Candice Bennett | 190 | 0.51% | |
| Democratic | Ross William Branstetter IV | 25 | 0.07% | |
| Total votes | 37,562 | 100.00% | ||
References
- ^ "Delegate Irene Shin".
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ a b Serre, Jared (June 3, 2025). "JUST IN: Youngkin schedules special election to replace Rep. Gerry Connolly". FFX Now. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
- ^ a b c 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.
- ^ a b "Virginia House of Delegates Member Listings". virginiageneralassembly.gov. Retrieved 2022-02-07.
- ^ O'Connell, Michael (October 21, 2021). "Candidate Profile: Irene Shin For VA House Of Delegates". Patch. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
- ^ "Tysons Transportation Service District Advisory Board". Fairfax County. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
- ^ Cline, Nathaniel (February 23, 2021). "Herndon community organizer announces candidacy for 86th District House seat". Loudoun Times-Mirror. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
- ^ Flynn, Meagen (June 9, 2021). "Four Democratic incumbents, one Republican ousted in Virginia House primaries". Washington Post. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Blanchard, Jack; Burns, Dasha (June 3, 2025). "Playbook: Trump turns the screws". Politico. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
- ^ Serre, Jared (June 28, 2025). "BREAKING: James Walkinshaw wins Democratic nod in Congressional special election". FFXnow. Retrieved June 29, 2025.
- ^ "2021 June Democratic Primary". Virginia Department of Elections. Archived from the original on 2021-06-10. Retrieved 2021-12-03.
- ^ "Nov. 2, 2021 General Election Statewide Candidates". Virginia Department of Elections. Archived from the original on 2021-07-09. Retrieved 2021-12-03.
- ^ "Member, House of Delegates (8th District)". elections.virginia.gov. Retrieved April 1, 2024.
- ^ "CD-11 UNOFFICIAL RESULTS". Google Docs. 11th Congressional District Democratic Committee. June 28, 2025. Retrieved 29 June 2025.