McAuliffe conceded to Youngkin & Republicans have taken the House of Delegates
Updates on the election from last night.
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Breaking update:
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe conceded the race to Glenn Youngkin, who is now the governor-elect in Virginia.
Sources close to the situation tell Virginia Scope that McAuliffe left a voicemail for Youngkin. He also released the following statement:
"While last night we came up short, I am proud that we spent this campaign fighting for the values we so deeply believe in. We must protect Virginia's great public schools and invest in our students. We must protect affordable health care coverage, raise the minimum wage faster, and expand paid leave so working families have a fighting shot. We must protect voting rights, protect a woman's right to choose, and, above all else, we must protect our democracy. While there will be setbacks along the way, I am confident that the long term path of Virginia is toward inclusion, openness and tolerance for all.
"Congratulations to Governor-Elect Glenn Youngkin on his victory. I hope Virginians will join me in wishing the best to him and his family.
"I would like to thank my wife Dorothy, my family, and my incredible campaign team for their tireless efforts and dedication over these past eleven months. And to all of my supporters across Virginia who knocked on millions of doors, made countless phone calls, and talked to their family, friends and neighbors: I am eternally grateful that you joined me on this journey to move Virginia forward.
"Serving as Virginia’s 72nd governor was the highest honor of my life, and I will never stop fighting to make our Commonwealth stronger and brighter for all."
Flipping seven seats, Republicans appear to have won the House of Delegates
After a long night of vote counting across the commonwealth, Virginia Republicans seem poised to take the House of Delegates by a slight majority for the next two years. This is on top of winning statewide races for governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general.
Democrats went into the night with a 55-45 majority, but they saw that majority slowly dwindle away as the results from close races trickled in well after midnight.
Republican challengers that are poised to unseat Democrats include Jason Ballard in HD-12 over Del. Chris Hurst, Otto Wachsman in HD-75 over Del. Roslyn Tyler, Tara Durant over Del. Josh Cole in HD-28, Tim Anderson over Del. Nancy Guy in HD-83, A.C. Cordoza over Del. Martha Mugler in HD-91, Karen GreenHalgh over Del. Alex Askew in HD-85 and Kim Taylor over Del. Lachrecse Aird in HD-63.
“It’s official: Virginians have completely rejected the failed policies of the liberals running Richmond and voted for a brighter future full of supported small businesses, empowered parents, and safer streets,” said Republican State Legislative Committee President Dee Duncan in a statement early Wednesday morning. “As I said earlier tonight, this success was a culmination of months of hard work for the RSLC, as we supported the right candidates, developed the right messages, and executed the right strategies to overcome a 2:1 spending disadvantage driven by national liberals like Barack Obama, Eric Holder, Nancy Pelosi, and Stacey Abrams.”
House Democrats have not released any statements at this time. They spent most of the night preparing for a potential power-sharing situation as the tally sat at 50-50 for hours until Chesterfield reported their absentee votes after midnight. After the Chesterfield votes were reported, Taylor had more than a 700-vote lead over Aird in a district that was federally redrawn in 2019 to make the districts around it bluer, putting more Republicans in Aird’s district. She was able to win the district again in 2019, but the Republican enthusiasm this year was hard to overcome.
Republicans have already begun making moves to take over the Speakership. Long time Del. Terry Kilgore (Scott) started making calls Tuesday night with the goal of taking over the Republican House caucus from the current leader, Del. Todd Gilbert.
Developments are still happening across the Virginia political landscape. Stay with Virginia Scope for continuing coverage.
Finally we get a little bit of sanity back to Virginia, I couldn’t be happier with Tuesday’s election results. Now on to 2022, and let’s finish our toilet flushing on the federal level.