(The Center Square) – Tuesday’s General Assembly general election in Virginia has been called for Democrats, thwarting a possible Republican trifecta and solid push of Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s agenda.
Democrats have secured a minimum of 51 and 21 seats, respectively, according to nonprofit the Virginia Public Access Project which tracks election results. The Associated Press called each chamber after midnight. All seats in the 40-member Senate and 100-member House of Delegates were on the ballot.
A number of variables made the election unique and compelling, from the typical party pushes to one candidate battling through a tie to internet pornography. She lost.
There were a couple of firsts – a large general election after Youngkin’s surprising gubernatorial victory for Republicans, and new redistricting maps from the most recent decennial process.
Political observers have considered the state blue, with Democrats having had a trifecta as recently as 2020 and 2021. Only Youngkin and former Robert McDonnell (2010-14) have represented the GOP in the governor’s office in the last 21 years.
That said, each chamber majority going into this election was modest at four for Democrats in the Senate and three for Republicans in the House. Realistic chances of the red trifecta were possible.
Thus, Tuesday offered Republicans an opportunity to push through more partisan policies in the second half of Youngkin’s governorship, which is limited to one term. Abortion, analyssts say, was the Democrats’ winning calling card not only in Virginia but also in a ballot referendum in Ohio and alongside a gubernatorial reelection in the deep red state of Kentucky.
Newly drawn districts resulted in several retirements, some competitive races, and made suburban districts pivotal.
In a statement afterward, Democratic National Committee Chairman Jaime Harrison said, “This is a huge sign of Democrats’ continued momentum heading into 2024. With so much on the line, voters showed up at the ballot box and sent the GOP a stark warning – betting big on the MAGA agenda doesn’t fly with everyday Americans, and it will cost them once again in 2024.”
