The special elections for state House and Senate seats offered early tests of the political environment after the 2024 campaign and ahead of this year's governor's race.
Democrats won a pair of special legislative elections in Northern Virginia on Tuesday, according to The Associated Press, allowing the party to maintain its narrow majorities in both chambers.
The special elections, both in districts in suburban Loudoun County, were the first since President-elect Donald Trump won a second term in November. While Democrats were favored, the results offered an early test of the political environment in Virginia, which is hosting a major governor’s race this year and where Republicans have made inroads in recent years.
After Srinivasan and Cifers take office, Democrats will hold a 21-19 majority in the state Senate. If Democrats had lost the special election for the Loudoun County seat, control of the chamber would have gone to the Republicans, because GOP Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears holds tiebreaking authority.
After Singh is sworn in, Democrats will maintain their 51-49 majority in the House of Delegates. A win by the Republican candidate would have resulted in a 50-50 tie.