Democrats gain control of Virginia’s state Senate and House

On Tuesday, Democrats took full control of Virginia’s House of Delegates and state Senate for the first time in two decades.

Democrats picked up at least two seats in the Senate and four in the House, The Washington Post reports, with election officials saying there was very high voter turnout. Democrats and Republicans both tried to get voters to hit the polls by talking about Democratic lawmakers being able to work with Gov. Ralph Northam (D) on gun control, raising the minimum wage, and redistricting.

Going into the election, Republicans had small majorities of 20-19 in the Senate and 51-48 in the House. Each chamber had one vacancy, and all 140 seats were on the ballot. It’s been a decade since a Republican has won a statewide contest in Virginia.

Democrats gain control of Virginia’s state Senate and House