Lamont Bagby Wins Special Election to Replace Jennifer McClellan in Virginia Senate

On Tuesday, voters in Virginia’s 9th Senate District elected Del. Lamont Bagby as the commonwealth’s newest state senator in the race to replace now-US Rep. Jennifer McClellan ahead of the General Assembly’s upcoming veto session.

The voters of Virginia Senate District 9 have spoken, and Democrat Lamont Bagby has won the race for newly elected US Rep. Jennifer McClellan’s former seat in the legislature. Senate District 9 is heavily Democratic, and although Bagby’s victory was widely expected, he won Tuesday’s special election in a landslide. 

Bagby, who has served in the state House since 2015, faced Republican Stephen Imholt in the race to replace McClellan. Bagby will have to run again in November’s general election, though the decennial redistricting process has changed the district number and makeup; Bagby has already filed to run for Senate District 14, which includes most of current Senate District 9.

On seeking election to the state Senate after serving for eight years in the House of Delegates, Bagby said, “It’s time for something new, and this offers me an opportunity to serve more individuals, more constituents, particularly in the Richmond area.”

The Virginia Senate Democratic Caucus also released a statement following Bagby’s win:

“We look forward to working with Senator-elect Bagby to keep delivering for Virginians and protecting our progress. Every single seat counts as we fight to protect our razor-thin Senate majority. Because right now, Senate Democrats are the only thing blocking Republicans’ dangerous and destructive agenda. We are very excited to have another champion join our caucus.”

Bagby’s victory cements Democrats’ 22-18 majority in the state Senate ahead of the upcoming General Assembly veto session on April 12.