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Inclement weather and close proximity to the general election were counted among factors in the Virginia special election as strategists examined results with an eye toward the next big contests.

Having swept the swing states, secured the popular vote and walked away with a GOP control trifecta of the White House, Senate and House of Representatives, many saw the Election Night victory of President-elect Donald Trump as a mandate. Tuesday, the Virginia Democratic Party attempted to squelch such suggestions after three special elections maintained the status quo.

Roughly 12,500 votes split among the three contests Tuesday made the difference in the Virginia Senate keeping a slim 21-19 majority alongside the House of Delegates at 51-49, both in favor of Democrats.

In Loudon County, Democrat Kannan Srinivasan defeated Republican Tumay Harding filling the commonwealth Senate seat of Democrat Suhas Subramanyam who had been elected to the U.S. House in November while Democrat JJ Singh defeated Republican Ram Venkatachalam to take Srinivasan’s seat in the House of Delegates.

“Today, voters in Loudon County once again rejected Republican extremism by electing Kannan Srinivasan and JJ Singh,” declared Democratic Party of Virginia Chair Susan Swecker. “Their victories ensure that we maintain our majority in the General Assembly so we can continue passing legislation that benefits all Virginians while rejecting harmful policies.”

Despite her spin regarding the oft-newsworthy county, the roughly 60-40 split propelling the Democrats to victory similarly afforded to Republican Luther Cifers who defeated Democrat Jack Trammell to take the commonwealth Senate seat of Republican John McGuire who had also been elected to the U.S. House in November.

“I think that shows that people are still behind Trump. We don’t see that backlash that some people say is coming,” argued University of Lynchburg political scientist David Richards to Fox News Digital regarding Cifer’s win. “The winter weather ended up dampening the votes today. Turnout will end up being a lot lower in person but the early voting was pretty healthy, especially for a special election.”

Along with New Jersey, Virginia was the only state in the union to hold gubernatorial elections in 2025 and incumbent Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) was prevented from seeking re-election per a law preventing two consecutive terms. As a result, many were looking ahead to the contest as a bellwether for the 2026 midterm as the incumbent’s 2021 victory had preceded Republicans retaking control of the U.S. House of Representatives in 2022.

Considering how soon after the general election the special contests had occurred, Virginia-based Republican strategist Zack Roday had contended to Fox News that little valuable could be projected from the results.

“I hate to be boring about it but it’s just not a useful indicator yet. It’s just too early. It’s too close to the November elections. People are just not engaged,” he expressed. “The party in power in these off-year elections typically takes a hit, but nothing has shown that yet in the data that I’ve seen.”

Prior to the wins, Democratic National Committee deputy executive director Roger Lau had argued in a statement reported by The Hill, “2025 is a big year in Virginia and it starts with winning these crucial special elections to defend Democratic majorities and ensure the Democratic-led legislature can stand up to the extremism of Donald Trump and Glenn Youngkin.”

Kevin Haggerty
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