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| Democrats flip Virginia Senate and House, taking control of state government for the first time in a generation | |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Democrats gained control of both houses of the Virginia General Assembly Tuesday, with election results suggesting that the party had completed a historic sweep of the state’s government. | |
| After polls closed on the most expensive and most-watched Virginia legislative races in years, incomplete tallies showed Democrats picked up at least two seats in the state Senate and four in the House of Delegates to take narrow majorities. | |
| Election officials reported unusually high turnout in races that served as an opening salvo in next year’s presidential showdown, a test of Democratic defiance and Republican resolve in the era of President Trump. | |
| Democrats consolidated power in Richmond for the first time in a generation, completing the political evolution of a Southern state on Washington’s doorstep from red to blue. | |
| Both U.S. Senators, a majority of the congressional delegation and all three statewide office holders are Democrats and the state went Democratic in the last three presidential elections. Republicans have not won a statewide contest since 2009. | |
| National Democratic organizations and interest groups - from gun control to women’s rights to clean energy - carpeted the state with money, boosting suburban legislative races to the spending level of congressional elections. | |
| ‘This is unprecedented’: Last-minute money floods Virginia campaigns ahead of Nov. 5 | ‘This is unprecedented’: Last-minute money floods Virginia campaigns ahead of Nov. 5 |
| Republicans had the less sexy task of trying to prevent the onslaught, arguing that progressives were tugging the Old Dominion too far to the left. GOP candidates in swing districts found themselves in the awkward position of distancing themselves from Trump - who is unpopular in most of Virginia - while trying to paint Democratsas extremists. | Republicans had the less sexy task of trying to prevent the onslaught, arguing that progressives were tugging the Old Dominion too far to the left. GOP candidates in swing districts found themselves in the awkward position of distancing themselves from Trump - who is unpopular in most of Virginia - while trying to paint Democratsas extremists. |
| Watch the Virginia election results live, including key races, here | Watch the Virginia election results live, including key races, here |
| The GOP was defending paper-thin majorities of 20-19 in the state Senate and 51-48 in the House of Delegates, with one vacancy in each chamber. All 140 seats in the legislature were on the ballot, but all the heat was on suburban districts in Northern Virginia, Richmond and Hampton Roads where voters could swing either way. | The GOP was defending paper-thin majorities of 20-19 in the state Senate and 51-48 in the House of Delegates, with one vacancy in each chamber. All 140 seats in the legislature were on the ballot, but all the heat was on suburban districts in Northern Virginia, Richmond and Hampton Roads where voters could swing either way. |
| Both sides trumpeted the possibility that a General Assembly controlled by Democrats could work with Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam to enact laws that Republicans have long opposed, from gun control to a higher minimum wage and passing the Equal Rights Amendment. They would also oversee statewide redistricting after next year’s census, influencing political power for a decade to come. | Both sides trumpeted the possibility that a General Assembly controlled by Democrats could work with Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam to enact laws that Republicans have long opposed, from gun control to a higher minimum wage and passing the Equal Rights Amendment. They would also oversee statewide redistricting after next year’s census, influencing political power for a decade to come. |
| Democrats promise a new Virginia if they take control of the legislature. And that’s exactly what worries Republicans. | Democrats promise a new Virginia if they take control of the legislature. And that’s exactly what worries Republicans. |
| That’s why John Grimsley, 78, rolled out of bed in Fairfax County earlier than usual Tuesday, skipped breakfast and headed to the Clifton Community Center in Fairfax to vote for Del. Tim Hugo, the lone Republican state lawmaker from Northern Virginia. | That’s why John Grimsley, 78, rolled out of bed in Fairfax County earlier than usual Tuesday, skipped breakfast and headed to the Clifton Community Center in Fairfax to vote for Del. Tim Hugo, the lone Republican state lawmaker from Northern Virginia. |
| Grimsley, a retired moving services worker who served in the Air Force, said he can’t stomach what he called liberals’ dangerous ideas. | |
| “Partly, it’s that I don’t like the guy he’s running against,” Grimsley said. “I’ve got 12 signs in my yard: one for every Republican I’m voting for today.” | “Partly, it’s that I don’t like the guy he’s running against,” Grimsley said. “I’ve got 12 signs in my yard: one for every Republican I’m voting for today.” |
| Helmer defeated the eight-term Republican, the last GOP legislator in the Virginia suburbs near Washington. | |
| Watch Virginia state Senate results here | Watch Virginia state Senate results here |
| But at the same polling place, David Shonka, a 78-year-old attorney and lifelong Democrat, said he was voting a straight Democratic ticket to protest the behavior of President Trump and the GOP. | But at the same polling place, David Shonka, a 78-year-old attorney and lifelong Democrat, said he was voting a straight Democratic ticket to protest the behavior of President Trump and the GOP. |
| “It really begins at the top, then it flows into the Senate, then it flows into the House, and then — yes — to issues at a more local level,” said Shonka, who cast a ballot for Helmer. “The Republicans have lost the right to govern.” | “It really begins at the top, then it flows into the Senate, then it flows into the House, and then — yes — to issues at a more local level,” said Shonka, who cast a ballot for Helmer. “The Republicans have lost the right to govern.” |
| Days before Nov. 5 elections, Virginia Republicans take hard right turn | Days before Nov. 5 elections, Virginia Republicans take hard right turn |
| The X factor was turnout, which is typically fewer than 30 percent of registered voters in an off-off election year.Reports throughout the day Tuesday suggested that voters were showing up in robust numbers in some of the all-important suburban districts. | The X factor was turnout, which is typically fewer than 30 percent of registered voters in an off-off election year.Reports throughout the day Tuesday suggested that voters were showing up in robust numbers in some of the all-important suburban districts. |
| Watch Virginia House of Delegates results here | Watch Virginia House of Delegates results here |
| Mike DeBord, 41, a designer at Newport News Shipbuilding who recently moved to Chesterfield from rural Surry County, said he voted for Democrats Tuesday for the first time. He was swayed by concerns about the need for gun control and protections for access to abortions. | Mike DeBord, 41, a designer at Newport News Shipbuilding who recently moved to Chesterfield from rural Surry County, said he voted for Democrats Tuesday for the first time. He was swayed by concerns about the need for gun control and protections for access to abortions. |
| “I feel that a woman should have a choice with what she wants to do with her body regardless,” he said. “I don’t think the government should have that much say in how we have our health care in general.” | “I feel that a woman should have a choice with what she wants to do with her body regardless,” he said. “I don’t think the government should have that much say in how we have our health care in general.” |
| In Virginia, redrawn districts test Republicans — including House Speaker Kirk Cox | In Virginia, redrawn districts test Republicans — including House Speaker Kirk Cox |
| Several key races were playing out in parts of Chesterfield, including the contest for the seat held by the most powerful Republican in state government, House speaker Kirk Cox (Colonial Heights). He was being challenged by Democrat Sheila Bynum-Coleman, who had raised enormous amounts of money in a district that was redrawn this year by federal judges in a redistricting to remedy racial gerrymandering. | Several key races were playing out in parts of Chesterfield, including the contest for the seat held by the most powerful Republican in state government, House speaker Kirk Cox (Colonial Heights). He was being challenged by Democrat Sheila Bynum-Coleman, who had raised enormous amounts of money in a district that was redrawn this year by federal judges in a redistricting to remedy racial gerrymandering. |
| Republicans such as Cox are so familiar to residents, they drew support even from voters who dislike Trump. Angie Rasmussen, 52, a middle school teacher, said she doesn’t support Trump but wants the General Assembly to remain in Republican hands. | Republicans such as Cox are so familiar to residents, they drew support even from voters who dislike Trump. Angie Rasmussen, 52, a middle school teacher, said she doesn’t support Trump but wants the General Assembly to remain in Republican hands. |
| “I do not love our president,” she said. “This is a Virginia election.” | “I do not love our president,” she said. “This is a Virginia election.” |
| This Va. House race should be an easy pickup for Democrats. It’s not shaping up that way. | This Va. House race should be an easy pickup for Democrats. It’s not shaping up that way. |
| In the suburbs of Northern Virginia, Trump’s shadow appeared to loom large. | In the suburbs of Northern Virginia, Trump’s shadow appeared to loom large. |
| McLean resident Richard Stark, 71, who is retired, said he voted straight Democratic because he thinks the Republican Party has “abandoned the principles for which it stood when I was growing up.” | McLean resident Richard Stark, 71, who is retired, said he voted straight Democratic because he thinks the Republican Party has “abandoned the principles for which it stood when I was growing up.” |
| Stark, who described himself as socially liberal and fiscally conservative, said he thinks changes in the national GOP have trickled down to the local level. | Stark, who described himself as socially liberal and fiscally conservative, said he thinks changes in the national GOP have trickled down to the local level. |
| Glory Fox Dierker, 73, also voted Democratic down the line. Dierker, who described herself as “a lifelong hippie,” said she was unconcerned about allegations that McKay got a sweetheart deal on his family’s house. | Glory Fox Dierker, 73, also voted Democratic down the line. Dierker, who described herself as “a lifelong hippie,” said she was unconcerned about allegations that McKay got a sweetheart deal on his family’s house. |
| “I don’t think Republicans have any place talking about quid pro quos,” she said. | “I don’t think Republicans have any place talking about quid pro quos,” she said. |
| At Battlefield High School in Haymarket, the effort by Democrats in Congress to impeach President Trump motivated some Republican voters to cast their ballot for Loudoun County Supervisor Geary Higgins (R-Catoctin) in the hotly contested race to replace Sen. Richard H. Black (R-Loudoun). | At Battlefield High School in Haymarket, the effort by Democrats in Congress to impeach President Trump motivated some Republican voters to cast their ballot for Loudoun County Supervisor Geary Higgins (R-Catoctin) in the hotly contested race to replace Sen. Richard H. Black (R-Loudoun). |
| James Ness, 72, said he felt a need to send a message to Democrats in Virginia that the party has gone too far in its efforts to oust Trump, saying they’re trying to nullify the 2016 election. | James Ness, 72, said he felt a need to send a message to Democrats in Virginia that the party has gone too far in its efforts to oust Trump, saying they’re trying to nullify the 2016 election. |
| “If that’s the attitude those people have, they can find some place else to live,” he said. “A lot of people died for our right to pull that lever and vote.” | “If that’s the attitude those people have, they can find some place else to live,” he said. “A lot of people died for our right to pull that lever and vote.” |
| Gun policy dominated the election cycle following a May 31 mass shooting in Virginia Beach where a gunman killed 12. A recent Washington Post-Schar School poll found it to be the top issue among Virginia voters, and national gun control groups such as Everytown for Gun Safety poured enormous resources into state campaigns to test messages ahead of next year’s national races. | Gun policy dominated the election cycle following a May 31 mass shooting in Virginia Beach where a gunman killed 12. A recent Washington Post-Schar School poll found it to be the top issue among Virginia voters, and national gun control groups such as Everytown for Gun Safety poured enormous resources into state campaigns to test messages ahead of next year’s national races. |
| Northam called a special session of the General Assembly in July to take up gun control measures, but the Republicans in charge adjourned after only 90 minutes without debating any bills. That outcome was a hot topic in Virginia Beach, where a cluster of close races stood to have a major impact on who would hold majorities in the legislature. | Northam called a special session of the General Assembly in July to take up gun control measures, but the Republicans in charge adjourned after only 90 minutes without debating any bills. That outcome was a hot topic in Virginia Beach, where a cluster of close races stood to have a major impact on who would hold majorities in the legislature. |
| Poll finds Virginia voters focused on gun policy ahead of pivotal election | Poll finds Virginia voters focused on gun policy ahead of pivotal election |
| Democrat Missy Cotter Smasal ran hard on the topic in a solidly Republican district against GOP incumbent Sen. William DeSteph (Virginia Beach), who is a licensed gun dealer. | Democrat Missy Cotter Smasal ran hard on the topic in a solidly Republican district against GOP incumbent Sen. William DeSteph (Virginia Beach), who is a licensed gun dealer. |
| Susan and George Okaty are both gun owners but said they voted for Cotter Smasal because of her stand on the environment and guns. | Susan and George Okaty are both gun owners but said they voted for Cotter Smasal because of her stand on the environment and guns. |
| “She’s willing to talk about gun control and not give lip service.” George Okaty said, 69, a retired security director for a community college and former Chief of Police at Trinity University in Texas. | “She’s willing to talk about gun control and not give lip service.” George Okaty said, 69, a retired security director for a community college and former Chief of Police at Trinity University in Texas. |
| He said DeSteph is a part of the Republican party that is not even willing to discuss gun issues, even after the Virginia Beach shooting. “That is an insult to the people of Virginia Beach and DeSteph is part of that insult,” George said. “It’s not an emotional issue. Let’s look at the facts.” | He said DeSteph is a part of the Republican party that is not even willing to discuss gun issues, even after the Virginia Beach shooting. “That is an insult to the people of Virginia Beach and DeSteph is part of that insult,” George said. “It’s not an emotional issue. Let’s look at the facts.” |
| Gun policy gets its biggest political test in the Virginia Beach district that suffered mass shooting | Gun policy gets its biggest political test in the Virginia Beach district that suffered mass shooting |
| Rhianna Lawson, 25, graduate student in speech pathology at Old Dominion University, also voted for Cotter Smasal because she wants stronger gun control. “I think gun violence is really important to the younger generation,” said Lawson, who spoke in the rain at the Norfolk Christian Lower School on Laskin Road in Virginia Beach. | Rhianna Lawson, 25, graduate student in speech pathology at Old Dominion University, also voted for Cotter Smasal because she wants stronger gun control. “I think gun violence is really important to the younger generation,” said Lawson, who spoke in the rain at the Norfolk Christian Lower School on Laskin Road in Virginia Beach. |
| But at the same polling place, Gregory Jepson, a 48-year-old Defense Department employee, cast his vote for DeSteph because it’s “a brand name around here.” | But at the same polling place, Gregory Jepson, a 48-year-old Defense Department employee, cast his vote for DeSteph because it’s “a brand name around here.” |
| He said Cotter Smasal made herself “the worst candidate” with ads that included the Virginia Beach mass shooting. | He said Cotter Smasal made herself “the worst candidate” with ads that included the Virginia Beach mass shooting. |
| “Her take was over the top,” he said. | “Her take was over the top,” he said. |
| Although he said gun policy wasn’t a deciding factor, Jepson added, “I do own a gun. But I’m not pro-pro-I-need-all-the-guns-in-the-world. I’m a Second Amendment fan. Don’t take my stuff away.” | Although he said gun policy wasn’t a deciding factor, Jepson added, “I do own a gun. But I’m not pro-pro-I-need-all-the-guns-in-the-world. I’m a Second Amendment fan. Don’t take my stuff away.” |
| Guns also played a central role elsewhere, notably in a pivotal Northern Virginia contest for the state Senate seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Richard H. Black (R-Loudoun), where Del. John Bell (D-Loudoun) raised $2.6 million, compared with $1.4 million by Republican Geary Higgins. | Guns also played a central role elsewhere, notably in a pivotal Northern Virginia contest for the state Senate seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Richard H. Black (R-Loudoun), where Del. John Bell (D-Loudoun) raised $2.6 million, compared with $1.4 million by Republican Geary Higgins. |
| The lonely battle of the last Republican lawmaker from Northern Virginia | The lonely battle of the last Republican lawmaker from Northern Virginia |
| Rick Kashurba, 72, voted for Higgins, saying he disliked that Bell “is running on the fear factor with guns.” | Rick Kashurba, 72, voted for Higgins, saying he disliked that Bell “is running on the fear factor with guns.” |
| “He doesn’t seem to have any real ideas,” Kashurba said about Bell, adding that he had received more mailers and phone calls from both candidates than he ever had previously. | “He doesn’t seem to have any real ideas,” Kashurba said about Bell, adding that he had received more mailers and phone calls from both candidates than he ever had previously. |
| Kashurba, a retiree from Gainesville, said he wants the ability to own a gun although he said he isn’t as conservative as some NRA members. | Kashurba, a retiree from Gainesville, said he wants the ability to own a gun although he said he isn’t as conservative as some NRA members. |
| For Spencer Brown, a retired State Department employee who cast his ballot at Buckland Mills Elementary shortly after Kashurba, gun control was also a top issue — but he wants to see assault-style weapons removed from the streets. | For Spencer Brown, a retired State Department employee who cast his ballot at Buckland Mills Elementary shortly after Kashurba, gun control was also a top issue — but he wants to see assault-style weapons removed from the streets. |
| “We want more than record checks,” said Brown, a political independent who said he’s voted mostly for Democrats in recent years. “We want the legislature to convene for more than 90 minutes.” | “We want more than record checks,” said Brown, a political independent who said he’s voted mostly for Democrats in recent years. “We want the legislature to convene for more than 90 minutes.” |
| In Hampton Roads, the most-watched race is a rerun: Del. David Yancey (R-Newport News) faces Democrat Shelly Simonds (D) two years after their 2017 contest resulted in a tie, which was decided by a random drawing on live national television. | In Hampton Roads, the most-watched race is a rerun: Del. David Yancey (R-Newport News) faces Democrat Shelly Simonds (D) two years after their 2017 contest resulted in a tie, which was decided by a random drawing on live national television. |
| John Calver, 74, a retired director of trades training at Thomas Nelson Community College is friends with both Yancey and Simonds. But at the Warwick Moose Lodge, Calver cast a ballot for Simonds, largely because of gun policy and health care. | John Calver, 74, a retired director of trades training at Thomas Nelson Community College is friends with both Yancey and Simonds. But at the Warwick Moose Lodge, Calver cast a ballot for Simonds, largely because of gun policy and health care. |
| “The Virginia Beach issue this year really did put an emphasis on how people don’t want to be,” he said. “After that, they did not want to be in the position where they feared for their lives or feared for their kids’ lives.” | “The Virginia Beach issue this year really did put an emphasis on how people don’t want to be,” he said. “After that, they did not want to be in the position where they feared for their lives or feared for their kids’ lives.” |
| He described Simonds as new blood and said he wanted to see more cohesion in Richmond. | He described Simonds as new blood and said he wanted to see more cohesion in Richmond. |
| “We need to find a way to enable everyone to feel as though they’re represented even though the result may not be what they wanted at the end of the day,” he said. | “We need to find a way to enable everyone to feel as though they’re represented even though the result may not be what they wanted at the end of the day,” he said. |
| Hannah Natanson, Rachel Chason, Jim Morrison, Jenna Portnoy, Meryl Kornfield, Antonio Olivo, Patricia Sullivan and Dana Hedgpeth contributed to this report. | Hannah Natanson, Rachel Chason, Jim Morrison, Jenna Portnoy, Meryl Kornfield, Antonio Olivo, Patricia Sullivan and Dana Hedgpeth contributed to this report. |
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