Burns withdraws from House District 100 race after missing deadline

Justin Burns, Democratic candidate for the Virginia House of Delegates in District 100, announced that he is stepping back from the 2025 race following a procedural issue related to ballot access. The announcement preceded a recorded address released Tuesday evening, in which Burns elaborated on his decision.

According to Burns, while his campaign met all legal requirements for candidacy, a misinterpretation of the deadline for submitting required documents resulted in a critical delay. The materials, sent via UPS, were timestamped at 5:31 p.m.—31 minutes past the official 5:00 p.m. deadline—placing his eligibility in the hands of Democratic committee leadership.

“My team and I followed every legal step with care, diligence, and integrity,” Burns said in the recorded address. “But the timestamp—5:31 PM instead of the required 5:00 PM—placed the future of our campaign in the hands of our Democratic committees.”

Burns stated that, after discussions with committee leaders and personal reflection, he made the decision to withdraw from the race, calling it “one of the most difficult decisions” of his life.

According to VPAP.org, Burns had raised a total of $3,605 and had $635 on hand.

Another candidate, Charlena Jones—who ran unsuccessfully against Delegate Rob Bloxom in 2021—had filed to run this year as well, but withdrew in February. She had encouraged her supporters to vote for Burns.

The address also included comments regarding his 2020 campaign for Virginia Beach School Board. Burns addressed previous misdemeanor charges stemming from the submission of invalid petition signatures, stating that he accepted responsibility and remains committed to transparency and personal growth.

“Leadership means telling the truth even when it’s hard. Even when it’s uncomfortable,” Burns said. “I’ve learned that our mistakes do not define us. What defines us is how we respond, how we grow, and whether we continue to serve with purpose.”

Though he is no longer a candidate, Burns stated he will remain active in advocacy and political organizing.

“Though I may be stepping back as a candidate, I am not stepping away from the work,” he said. “Our communities deserve leaders who fight for public education, protect working families, and lead with hope—not fear.”

The full statement was released Tuesday evening on Burns’s social media platforms.