All 140 seats in Virginia’s General Assembly are up for election today as well as seats on some local boards in Hampton Roads.
Hampton Roads has some of the most competitive General Assembly races as political parties try to maintain their small majorities in the state’s legislative chambers.
Republicans hold a slim majority in the House of Delegates, while Democrats have a four-seat majority in the Senate. Today’s elections will either help Republicans secure the numbers they need to implement Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s agenda, or maintain the Democrats’ ability to vote down controversial policy proposals, like new abortion restrictions and reversing clean energy policies.
For information about how to find your districts and check to see if your city or county has local board elections, use WHRO’s 2023 voter guide.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY RESULTS
Several Hampton Roads districts are among Virginia’s most expensive General Assembly races.
Hampton Roads has always had some of the state’s most competitive districts, but recent redistricting has made it even more so. The new districts put a number of longtime senators and delegates into districts they weren’t eligible to run in or districts with a significantly different political makeup. Several politicians from both parties stepped down or lost primaries.
Redistricting means some districts are left without incumbents, which leaves them open for parties to claim.
WHRO will be updating results from some of the most competitive, and expensive, General Assembly races in Hampton Roads.
House District 94, Norfolk: Phil Hernandez and Andy Pittman
Updated 10:35 p.m. on Nov. 7:
With control of the House of Delegates hanging in the balance, Democrat Philip Hernandez appeared to win over Republican Andy Pittman in the newly created 94th District, which covers the north section of Norfolk.
The two candidates lined up with their party’s platforms, Hernandez emphasizing abortion rights.
“I was always clear, we need to keep reproductive rights with women,” Hernandez said. “They should be the ones making these choices. And I heard about that all year long. But it wasn't just that. It was also about protecting public education and investing in it and lifting teacher pay. It was about taking on gun violence in our community.”
Pittman’s campaign emphasized fighting crime and the economy. The Norfolk attorney also lined up with Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s proposal for a ban on abortion after 15 weeks, with exceptions for rape and incest.
“I think that's a reasonable limit,” said Pittman, while greeting voters outside a polling place on Election Day. “There's consensus for that in the Commonwealth. Polls show that 60% of even those who identify as pro-choice support that limit.”
Faneesha Hudson in Norfolk said crime is one of her concerns as a voter, but this election, further restrictions on abortion rights was her number one issue.
“I trust both candidates to do something about crime,” she said. “I know they're going to do that, but when it comes to something that can affect me and my body…That's the one that I'm a little more concerned about.”
Previous coverage:
Democrat Phil Hernandez is running a million-dollar campaign to win the new 94th District for Virginia Democrats. Hernandez has never held office, but ran against longtime Republican Del. Rob Bloxom in 2019 in the former 100th House District.
Republican Andy Pittman has about half the money of his opponent, but he has the support of major party members, including Gov. Glenn Youngkin. Pittman has also never held office, but won the party primary earlier this year handily with 70% of party voters choosing him to represent the Republican Party in the general election.
House District 97, Virginia Beach: Karen Greenhalgh and Michael Feggans
Karen Greenhalgh was elected to represent the old 85th House District in 2021. The new 97th district is similarly competitive. Greenhalgh, a Republican, beat Democratic incumbent Alex Askew in 2021 by fewer than 150 votes.
Michael Feggans, an Air Force veteran, is a political newcomer but receiving lots of resources to win the 97th seat, including $3.2 million in donations. Most of that comes from the House of Delegates Democratic Caucus.
Other significant contributions to Feggans’ campaign come from Planned Parenthood of Virginia and Clean Virginia, a political action committee focused on environmental policy funded by a Charlottesville-area businessman.
Read Feggans’ responses to WHRO’s candidate questionnaire.
Senate District 22, Virginia Beach: Aaron Rouse and Kevin Adams
Democratic Sen. Aaron Rouse previously represented the 7th Senate District, which he won in a special election earlier this year against his current opponent, Kevin Adams.
Rouse, a former Virginia Beach city councilman, and Adams, a small business owner, are now facing off again in the new 22nd Senate District. The district skews slightly more Democratic, according to former election results.
The two are closer in fundraising than other competitive local races, with Adams trailing Rouse by about $300,000. Most of Adams’ money comes from Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s political action committee.
Senate District 24, Williamsburg: Monty Mason and Danny Diggs
By far the most expensive General Assembly race in Hampton Roads and the state is between Democrat Monty Mason, who has held the 1st Senate District seat since 2016, and York County Sheriff Danny Diggs.
The two are competing for the new 24th Senate District, where voters have been split almost down the middle in previous elections.
Diggs has $3.8 million on hand, most of which comes from Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s political action committee and sitting state Republican politicians. Mason has $5 million, most of which comes from the Virginia League of Conservation Voters as well as significant contributions from Dominion Energy and Everytown for Gun Safety.
Read Mason’s responses to WHRO’s candidate questionnaire.
Retired York County school teacher Elaine Zando said she’s an independent, but this year voted for Republican Danny Diggs to unseat Democratic Senator Monty Mason.
“We need a change,” Zando said, standing outside of the polls at Tabb High School Tuesday morning.
The contest in the 24th is being closely watched. It’s one of a handful of Senate seats that could pave the way for Republican control of the chamber.
Zando said the economy was the biggest issue on her mind heading into the voting booth Tuesday. Despite her support of Diggs — a former sheriff and staunch opponent of gun control — Zando hopes the General Assembly will strengthen gun safety laws.
“They’ve got to get rid of those automatic rifles. Nobody needs those unless they’re in a war,” she said.
LOCAL RACE RESULTS
Not every Hampton Roads city or county has local boards on their ballots, but several are choosing new commissioners, school board and city council members.
Use the search tool below to find your city or county results.
Last updated 8:04 a.m. Nov. 8
