It wasn’t a high bar. But Democrats passed their first electoral test since President-elect Donald Trump’s victory by sweeping a pair of special elections in Virginia and maintaining their hold on the state legislature.
Democrats solidified their narrow majorities in Richmond by easily winning two races in deep blue Northern Virginia, while Republicans held a safe GOP seat in a third special election. The results set up a stacked year in Virginia politics, with a close governor’s race and fight for control of the state House ahead.
The outcome of the races was no surprise. But the specials, which took place amid a snowstorm in Loudoun County that shuttered schools and workplaces, had both parties eager for clues about Republicans’ durability in a Democratic stronghold that tilted toward Trump in November.
For Democrats, the races served as a trial run of their messaging against the incoming Trump administration, which they warned will compromise their individual rights and economic well being. It’s a preview of how Democrats throughout the country will shape their arguments against Trump and his allies.
“As we face increasing extremism at the federal level, it’s more important than ever for Democrats to fight back in the states, build local power, and win elections up and down the ballot,” Roger Lau, deputy executive director of the Democratic National Committee, said in a statement.
Democrats in Virginia warned that a trio of constitutional amendments protecting civil rights were in jeopardy should they lose the seats and give Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin authority to pass a conservative agenda.
Virginia Republicans, on the other hand, campaigned on ending Democratic control of the legislature, as well as empowering parents to have a stronger voice in schools and improving the state’s economy.
By the time the Associated Press called the races, Democrat Kannan Srinivasan was winning the state Senate race by more than 22 points, and JJ Singh was running ahead in the state House race by 23 points, according to unofficial results by the Virginia Department of Elections. Republican Luther Cifers easily kept the central Virginia seat in GOP hands, leading late Tuesday by about 17 points.
Democrats poured money into the races, which they needed to win in order to maintain their one-seat majorities in both chambers. Party leaders, though quick to emphasize that Kamala Harris handily won Loudoun County by double digits, were still nervous about Trump gaining support in Loudoun County and the surrounding areas last fall. The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, the main national committee devoted to electing Democrats to state legislatures, invested $100,000.
“While we celebrate tonight, our focus is already on November, when the Virginia House of Delegates will be on the ballot again,” said DLCC President Heather Williams. “With Trump and his MAGA allies in the states returning to office, building and defending Democratic power in the states is essential.”