Virginians voted categorically for Democrats in a major boost for the party which gained total control of the government in the state with majorities in the Senate and General Assembly.
This is for the first time since 1994 that Democrats have secured complete control of the Old Dominion’s state government, ending years of bellwether status outside the nation’s capital.
Republicans were defending majorities in the House and the General Assembly in a fast-changing political climate. But Democrats chalked up wins in Northern Virginia, Hampton Roads and Richmond, thanks in part to the party’s huge focus on the region.
Results by 10 p.m., Democrats took 21 of 40 seats in the state Senate, and 51 seats in the 100-member House of Delegates.
The complete control of the government will allow Democrats to redraw boundaries of districts and thereby shape politics of the state for a long time to come.
![By Grayscapturedmoments (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons](https://www.viewsnews.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Tysons_Corner_Sunset_.jpg)
Tysons Corner Business District. Image: Grayscapturedmoments /Wikimedia Commons
Democratic Governor Ralph Northam hailed the party’s sweeping victory.
“Tonight, the ground has shifted in Virginia government. The voters have spoken, and they have elected landmark Democratic majorities in both the Senate and the House of Delegates. I am proud of my fellow Democrats and inspired by our shared victory,” he said in a statement.
“Since I took office two years ago, we have made historic progress as a Commonwealth. Tonight, Virginians made it clear they want us to continue building on that progress.”
He also listed priorities that voters want Democrats to pursue including gun safety. education action to combat climate change.
“They want us to defend the rights of women, LGBTQ Virginians, immigrant communities, and communities of color. They want us to increase access to a world-class education for every child, and make sure no one is forced to go bankrupt because they or a family member gets sick. They want us to invest in clean energy and take bold action to combat climate change. And they want us to finally pass commonsense gun safety legislation, so no one has to fear being hurt or killed while at school, at work, or at their place of worship.
“I look forward to working with our new Democratic majority to make these priorities a reality. Together, we will build a stronger, more inclusive, and more just Commonwealth.”
