He supported two Democrats who emphasized protecting abortion access - Del.

James Burkhardt, 37, a software engineer from Henrico County outside Richmond, waited in a long line Friday to cast his ballot early. Voters across the political spectrum said in interviews that the issue was top of mind. Such legislation was defeated this year in the Democratic-controlled Senate. Wade.ĭemocrats made protecting abortion access the centerpiece of their campaigns, while Republicans in many of the key swing districts coalesced around Youngkin's pledge to try again for an abortion ban after 15 weeks with exceptions for rape, incest and situations where the mother’s life is at risk. “I’d ask folks to elect a House and elect a Senate that will work with me, not against me, so that we can continue to release this unbridled opportunity across the Commonwealth of Virginia,” Youngkin said after chatting with voters and handing out sample ballots.Ĭandidates made their case to voters this cycle on the economy, the environment, public safety and schools, but no issue was more hotly contested than abortion in the last state in the South without new restrictions since the end of Roe v. Speaking to reporters Tuesday evening at a suburban Richmond polling place, Youngkin said he hoped voters would extend Republicans’ “license to lead' but added he expected the battleground races to be tight, likely decided by “hundreds of votes.” Whatever the outcome in Virginia - which was among just four states with legislative elections this year - it will be closely scrutinized nationwide for hints of what may come in the 2024 presidential cycle. Vote counting was still underway late Tuesday. While all 140 General Assembly seats were on the ballot in a costly and competitive election year, the balance of power was expected to be decided in about a dozen districts in Hampton Roads, suburban Richmond and northern Virginia. In the State Senate, I will continue to deliver on the issues that matter most to families in Henrico County.”

In a statement, VanValkenburg thanked Dunnavant for her service but said: “Voters have chosen a new path forward with a bold vision for the future of Virginia. The balance of power in both the Virginia House and Senate were at stake Tuesday, with Democrats aiming to defy Youngkin's hopes of a trifecta.ĭunnavant's suburban Richmond seat had been seen as a key in the GOP pathway to a majority. (AP) - Democrat Schuyler VanValkenburg won a critical seat in Virginia’s state Senate on Tuesday, unseating an incumbent Republican and buoying his party’s bid to maintain control of the chamber and blunt GOP Gov.

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