(The Center Square) – Late Tuesday night, Virginia’s House of Delegates and the Senate were too close to call, with Democrats holding a slight lead in the Senate.
In each chamber, every seat was up for election. Headed into Election Day, Democrats had a four-seat majority in the Senate, Republicans a two-seat edge in the House, and prognosticators put each in play to remain the same or flip.
Three races were yet to be called in the Senate and 10 in the House, according to the nonprofit Virginia Public Access Project. Democrats in the Senate held an edge in District 22, home to Virginia Beach. Democratic incumbent Sen. Aaron Rouse held a slight lead over Republican challenger Kevin Adams.
In Senate District 17, which includes the Hampton Roads region, Republican Emily Brewer led Democrat Clint Jenkins. In Senate District 24, which includes Williamsburg and Yorktown, Republican challenger Danny Diggs led Democratic incumbent Monty Mason.
All were too close to call at time of publication.
If the GOP can maintain the leads in the three undecided districts, the Senate would be tied, with Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Sears able to cast tiebreaker votes.
A Democratic win in the House would flip the chamber and be a huge victory for the party – greatly impeding Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s agenda.
Half of 10 races too close to call late Tuesday included an incumbent, with four currently held by Republicans and one by a Democrat. Republican incumbents Del. Karen Greenhalgh of Virginia Beach and Del. Kim Taylor of Petersburg trailed their respective Democratic challengers, Michael Feggans and Kimberly Pope Adams.
The political gridlock in Richmond delayed the passing of Virginia’s budget, with both parties making concessions on significant issues.
Democrats invested heavily on the abortion issue during the campaign season, while Republicans touted parental rights in education, which proved successful for them in 2021.
