Yesterday, in the first major elections since November, Democratic candidates Del. Kannan Srinivasan in Virginia Senate District 32 and JJ Singh in Virginia House District 26 secured victories against their Republican opponents. With these wins, Democrats will maintain a majority in Virginia’s House and Senate. Last night’s results are only the beginning – voters are fighting back against Republicans’ extremism, across the country. Democrats will continue to build power and win elections up and down the ballot to defend against Trump and MAGA Republicans’ attacks on working families.

Take a look at some of the coverage below: 

New York Times: Democrats Prevail in Virginia Races, the First Elections Since Trump’s Win

[Reid J. Epstein, 1/8/25]

“Democrats on Tuesday held two key state legislative seats in Virginia, retaining their majorities in the General Assembly in the first special elections since President-elect Donald J. Trump won back the White House. …

“‘In Virginia, everything was at stake,’ said Roger Lau, a deputy executive director for the Democratic National Committee. He added, ‘As we face increasing extremism at the federal level, it’s more important than ever for Democrats to fight back in the states.’”

Politico: Virginia Democrats notch first win in second Trump era

[Liz Crampton, 1/7/25]

“For Democrats, the races served as a trial run of their messaging against the incoming Trump administration, which they warned will compromise their individual rights and economic well being. It’s a preview of how Democrats throughout the country will shape their arguments against Trump and his allies.

“‘As we face increasing extremism at the federal level, it’s more important than ever for Democrats to fight back in the states, build local power, and win elections up and down the ballot,’ Roger Lau, deputy executive director of the Democratic National Committee, said in a statement.”

CNN: Democrats hold on to open state legislature seats in Virginia special elections

[Arit John, 1/7/25] 

“Democratic state Rep. Kannan Srinivasan defeated Republican Tumay Harding to win an open Senate seat in Loudoun County, an exurb of Washington, DC. Democrat JJ Singh beat Republican Ram Venkatachalam to win an open House seat in the county. …

“Democrats will now have a 21-19 majority in the state Senate and a 51-49 majority in the House.”

Virginia Mercury: Virginia special elections add new faces, but leave General Assembly balance intact

[Markus Schmidt, 1/7/25] 

“In the 32nd Senate District, which comprises parts of Northern Virginia, Srinivasan, a former member of the Virginia House of Delegates, defeated Tumay Harding, the Republican nominee, with 61.25% to 38.62% out of 29,621 votes cast. …

“The first Sikh-American elected to Virginia’s House of Delegates, Singh defeated Republican Ram Venkatachalam with 61.49% to 38.33% out of 9,940 votes cast, running on a platform focused on economic growth, infrastructure improvements, and environmental protection. …

“And Democratic National Committee Executive Director Roger Lau said that in Tuesday’s special elections in Virginia, ‘everything was at stake – including the state codification of Roe v. Wade, an expansion of voting rights, and protections for marriage equality. These two tremendous candidates will continue Virginia’s economic growth and stand as a backstop against the extremism of Donald Trump and Glenn Youngkin.’”

WUSA9: Virginia Democrats retain their control of the Statehouse in special elections

[WUSA9 Staff, 1/7/25]

“Virginia Democrats preserved their Statehouse majority on Tuesday after voters in the northern and central part of the state backed two Democrats to fill a vacancy in the state Senate and an open seat in the House of Delegates. …

“DPVA Chairwoman Susan Swecker also released a statement Tuesday night, saying:

“‘Today, voters in Loudoun County once again rejected Republican extremism by electing Kannan Srinivasan and JJ Singh. 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.’”

Washington Examiner: Virginia Democrats win two seats in special election

[Washington Examiner Staff, 1/8/25] 

“Democrat JJ Singh defeated Republican Ram Venkatachalam in the election for the House’s 26th District. With over 95% of the votes counted, Singh led Venkatachalam 61.6% to 38.4%, according to the New York Times. Singh’s victory ensured the party would control the state House, giving the Democrats a slim lead over the GOP, 51-49. …

“Officials from the Democratic National Committee touted their importance after the defeat in the 2024 presidential election, according to multiple reports. …

“‘As we face increasing extremism at the federal level, it’s more important than ever for Democrats to fight back in the states, build local power, and win elections up and down the ballot,’ Lau said in a statement before Tuesday’s election. 

“Democratic Party of Virginia Chairwoman Susan Swecker echoed Lau’s sentiments of extremism. After her party emerged victorious on Tuesday, she took a victory lap in a statement that night. 

“‘Today, voters in Loudoun County once again rejected Republican extremism by electing Kannan Srinivasan and JJ Singh,’ Swecker said. ‘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.’”

Times of India: Indian Americans, Virginia Democrats Kannan Srinivasan, JJ Singh hold state House seat in first elections after Trump’s victory

[Times of India Staff, 1/8/25] 

“Democratic candidates Kannan Srinivasan and JJ Singh secured victories in Virginia’s legislative special elections on Tuesday, marking the first major electoral contests since November. …

“‘The DNC congratulates Democratic candidates Del. Kannan Srinivasan in the open Virginia Senate District 32 seat and JJ Singh in the open Virginia House District 26 seat for their victories in tonight’s crucial special elections. As we face increasing extremism at the federal level, it’s more important than ever for Democrats to fight back in the states, build local power, and win elections up and down the ballot,’ Democratic National Committee deputy executive director Roger Lau said in a statement.

“These newly elected officials are expected to support Virginia’s economic development and ‘stand as a backstop against the extremism of Donald Trump and Glenn Youngkin,’ Roger added. …

“Kannan Srinivasan made history as the first Indian American immigrant elected to the Virginia House of Delegates. Srinivasan’s victory statement emphasised collective action, noting that, ‘Tonight, we have shown that when we stand together and fight for the issues we care about we win.’ …

“While JJ Singh, born in Virginia to Indian immigrant parents, secured victory in a county where Vice President Kamala Harris previously garnered 57% support against Trump.”

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