JJ Singh (center left) and Del. Kannnan Srinivasan (right) speak with reproductive rights advocates in Ashburn, Va. on Dec. 11, 2024. (Michael O'Connor/The Dogwood)
A Republican also won a special election in a Central Virginia area state senate district.
State Democrats won two special elections in Northern Virginia on Tuesday to keep their narrow majorities in the General Assembly.
Democrat Kannan Srinivasan beat Republican Tumay Harding in the election to represent Senate District 32 in Loudoun County.
In a statement Tuesday evening, Srinivasan pledged to continue advocating for reproductive rights, education funding, gun control, and lowering the cost of living.
“I look forward to carrying forward the promises of this campaign to Richmond and am committed to finding common-sense, bipartisan solutions,” said Srinivasan.
@vadogwoodnews Virginia Del. Kannan Srinivasan explains why he’s running for the state Senate in a Jan. 7 special election. #virginianews ♬ original sound – The Dogwood
The three special elections on Tuesday were set in motion by two Virginia state senators – Democrat Suhas Subramanyam and Republican John McGuire – getting elected to Congress in November. Srinivasan resigned from the House of Delegates, where he was the first Indian-American to serve, to run for Subramanyam’s seat.
Democrat JJ Singh won Tuesday night in a special election for Srinivasan’s seat in the House of Delegates. Singh beat Republican Ram Venkatachalam to represent House District 26 in Loudoun.
Meanwhile, Republican Luther Cifers beat Democrat Jack Trammell in the special election for Senate District 10 in the Central Virginia area.
While these elections were billed as a test of voter energy following President-elect Donald Trump’s win in November, Tuesday results suggest Loudoun is still a reliably Democratic stronghold.
Tuesday night’s results mean Democrats will have a 21-19 edge over Republicans in the Senate and a 51-49 advantage over Republicans in the House.
“With our majority, Democrats will be able to advance key constitutional amendments this session as well as pass bills that lower daily costs, protect our fundamental freedoms, create safer communities, and grow our economy,” Susan Swecker, the Democratic Party of Virginia Chairwoman said in a statement.
The start of the General Assembly session was delayed until Monday as Richmond deals with water issues caused by this week’s snow.
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