Democrats regained the majority in the Virginia House of Delegates, taking back control from the GOP that won an advantage under Gov. Glenn Youngkin.
The conservative loss marked a hit to the Republican Party's momentum in the state that some believed would propel Youngkin into a future presidential run.
Democrats regain control of Virginia House of Delegates in rebuke to Youngkin https://t.co/jhtCCGGDO4
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) November 8, 2023
"The Virginia elections often serve as a bellwether for the 2024 presidential cycle, giving a sneak peek to the challenges former President Donald Trump will face as he seeks reelection," the Washington Examiner reported.
"Many of the battleground seats in Virginia represent districts that have increasingly distanced themselves from the former president but the voters have indicated they could still lean Republican," it added.
BREAKING: Virginia Democrats have maintained control of the state Senate and took control of the House of Delegates, retaking full control of the General Assembly after two years of divided power.
More: https://t.co/WehLDQoIEq
— Daily Press (@Daily_Press) November 8, 2023
"Virginia Democrats who campaigned on protecting abortion rights swept Tuesday’s legislative elections, retaking full control of the General Assembly after two years of divided power," the Daily Press reported.
“It’s official: there will be absolutely no abortion ban legislation sent to Glenn Youngkin’s desk for the duration of his term in office, period, as we have thwarted MAGA Republicans’ attempt to take total control of our government and our bodies,” Virginia Senate Democratic Caucus Chair Mamie Locke said in a statement.
The Virginia election was one of only four states focusing on selecting its legislators in the off-election year, offering a small sampling of what the rest of America could see next year.
In Virginia, the momentum of the 2021 campaign failed to spark the needed voter turnout this time around, leaving Democrats with a win focused largely on abortion rights.
Elsewhere, Republicans made gains in some areas, like Long Island, New York, while losing others, such as in Kentucky, where Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear won reelection in a close race.
The battles are set to continue in the days ahead as Americans prepare for a much larger battle for the White House and Congress in 2024.
