How to Identify & Contact Your Elected Officials

A core piece of a healthy democracy is engaging directly with your elected officials. By building relationships with your elected officials you can fight against bigotry and hate and build support for Israel and other topics of interest to the community. 

Find out who represents you 

The Who's My Legislator? service is an online tool where the public at large can determine what legislators represent them. Users can enter their home address or use map-based navigation to see their Virginia House and Senate representatives, as well as those in the U.S. House and Senate.

Tips for Contacting an Elected Official

 

CALLING 

Telephone calls are usually taken by a staff member, not by the elected official directly. Ask to speak with the legislative aide who handles the issue about which you wish to comment.

After identifying yourself, tell the aide you would like to leave a brief message, such as: "Please tell Senator/Representative (Name) that I support/oppose ( Senate bill S.___/House bill H.R.___)."

Be courteous, to the point, and include key information, using examples to support your position.  You will also want to state reasons for your support or opposition to the bill. Ask for your senators' or representatives' position on the bill. You may also request a written response to your telephone call.

United States Senate:
Senator Tim Kaine
(202) 224-4024
Senator Mark Warner
(757) 441-3079

United States House of Representatives:
Congressman Rob Wittman - 1st District
(202) 225-4261

Congresswoman Elaine Luria - 2nd District
(757) 364-7650

Congressman Bobby Scott - 3rd District
Phone: (757) 380-1000

Congressman A. Donald McEachin - 4th District
Phone: (757) 942-6050

WRITING

E-mailed letters are the most popular choice of communication with a congressional office. Letters by conventional mail should be sent to an office in the member’s home district since mail to the U.S. Capitol encounters considerable delays due to screening for dangerous substances.

Clearly state your purpose for writing in the first paragraph of the letter. If your letter pertains to a specific piece of legislation, identify it accordingly (e.g., House bill: H. R. ____, Senate bill: S.____).  Be courteous, to the point, and include key information, using examples to support your position.  Address only one issue in each letter, and, if possible, keep the letter to one page.

ADDRESSING CORRESPONDENCE

 

To a Senator:
The Honorable (full name)
__(Rm.#)__(name of)Senate Office Building
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senator:

 

To a Representative:
The Honorable (full name)
__(Rm.#)__(name of)House Office Building
United States House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Representative:

 

Note: When writing to the Chair of a Committee or the Speaker of the House, it is proper to address them as: Dear Mr. Chairman: or Madam Chairwoman: or Dear Mr. Speaker: or Dear Madam Speaker: