Virginia Democrats have won back the majority in the state legislature, in a stunning turnaround from the previous two years when Republicans held a razor-thin majority and pushed through conservative legislation.
The Republican hopes to maintain control of the House were severely hampered by the Democratic comeback, which was fueled by victories in swing districts. This is a huge win for the Democrats, giving them the opportunity to fight the policies of Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin on issues like abortion, education, and the economy.
As a result of this election, the Democrats have regained the majority in the Senate, having lost it to the Republicans by a razor-thin margin in 2021. Democrats in the state legislature have strengthened their position for the upcoming 2024 election cycle, having taken control of both houses. This change has far-reaching consequences that affect Governor Youngkin’s plans for expanding the state’s influence on the national stage. Depending on how the Republicans do in these off-year elections, there has been talk that Youngkin is considering making a late entry into the presidential campaign.
Although Governor Youngkin was not a candidate in the 2023 election, he nevertheless had a significant impact on the race. He gave his full backing to Republican candidates and used his PAC’s huge funds to bolster their campaigns around the country. He ran on a platform of restricting abortions to within 15 weeks, with exceptions for rape, incest, and situations where the mother’s life is in danger. Youngkin viewed this stance as a “reasonable” posture for a state that was among the last in the South to approve second-trimester pregnancy terminations.
Off-year elections in Virginia have historically been a barometer of the upcoming presidential cycle, giving early indications of the difficulties facing former President Trump as he mulls a re-election attempt. Many of Virginia’s swing districts have moved further and further away from the previous president, but they still tend to vote Republican. There was a major shift in political power in the state, as several of these districts voted for Joe Biden in 2020 but supported Youngkin the following year.
The results of Virginia’s off-year elections are often used as a predictor of national trends for the year that follows. The race in Virginia is illustrative of the tactics Democrats and Republicans are trying out as they work to perfect their winning messages. Abortion has emerged as a paramount concern for both parties, suggesting that it may continue to play a prominent role in the 2024 election cycle.