First, Republican State Senator Ryan McDougle's former seat in the 97th House District will be filled in a special election set for Tuesday, January 24th. The race features Democrat John Montgomery and Republican Chris Peace. The very next Tuesday, January 31st, a second special election will take place to fill the vacated seat of Republican State Senator Bill Mims in the 33rd Senatorial District. Democrat Mark Herring has already been selected as the Democratic candidate and the Republican candidate will be decided in a "firehouse primary" this coming Monday.
Even prior to the two Democratic special election victories earlier this month, the races to fill these seats in Republican held districts were expected to be very close. With momentum now on the Democratic Party side the outcomes are now even more uncertain. The current partisan breakdown in the Virginia House of Delegates is 56 Republicans, 40 Democrats, 3 Independents and 1 open seat. One of the Independents, Katherine Waddell, leans Democratic, leaving the Democrats 10 seats shy of having a majority and a seemingly far cry from the 16 seats needed just 4 years ago.
The current Senate breakdown is 24 Republicans and 16 Democrats.
Other special election tid-bits:
NLS has a great article offering insight into the recent special election House pickups by the Democratic Party. Conclusion: "It appears Tim Kaine/Mike Henry [and the coordinated campaign] have left behind a serious Democratic organization, and Jerry Kilgore/Ken Hutcheson have not left the same for Republicans...If my theory is correct, and it is based on the results and what I saw and heard first hand, then Republicans are in deep trouble."
The Lynchburg News and Advance is reporting that Democratic Delegate Shannon Valentine brought in an amazing $260,396 in contributions during her three-week campaign (Dec. 20 - Jan. 10) allowing her to outspend her Republican opponent by over $100,000. Valentine's financial report was due prior to her swearing in ceremony on Wednesday (following a Tuesday victory) and her opponent?s isn't due for some time but he estimates he spent approximately $155,000. What does $260,396 in three weeks mean? I did some math and calculated that she out raised 133 of the 151 Delegate candidates, including the incumbents, featured in last year's general election. Even more so, the money was raised, and spent, in 3-weeks and not the typical 8-months.
Cross-posted on the Virginia Political Line.