Virginia Democrats Hold State Senate Seat, Keep Trifecta Ahead of Spanberger Inauguration

Virginia Democrats held onto a Richmond-area state Senate seat in a special election this week, preserving their narrow majority in the state’s upper chamber as Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger (D) prepares to take office later this month. Voters in Virginia’s 15th Senate District elected Democrat Mike Jones on Jan. 6, defeating Republican John Thomas by about 67.8 percent to 32 percent, according to unofficial results from the Virginia Department of Elections. The contest drew roughly 15,409 votes, the department stated. Although Virginia does not require or record party registration, the non-partisan Virginia Public Access Project (VPAP) rates the district as “strong Democratic.” The win keeps Democrats at a 21-19 majority in the Virginia Senate heading into the 2026 General Assembly session, which begins on Jan. 14....