Democrat Lamont Bagby wins Virginia Senate special election

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Democratic Del. Lamont Bagby handily gained a particular election Tuesday to fill the open Richmond-based Virginia Senate seat beforehand held by Jennifer McClellan, unofficial returns from the state Division of Elections present.

Outcomes present Bagby with about 90% of the vote within the contest towards Republican candidate Stephen Imholt, with almost all precincts reporting. The Related Press is just not tabulating or calling the race.

Bagby’s victory within the closely Democratic ninth District means the celebration divide of the Normal Meeting’s higher chamber will stay the identical: 22-18.

“To all those that joined us, and to those that didn’t, know that this seat belongs to you and my door will at all times be open,” Bagby stated in a press release. “Collectively, we’re going to do nice issues for Virginia households — from decreasing prices for hardworking Virginians and defending employees’ rights, to making sure extra accessible housing and fortifying Democrats’ brick wall towards Republican assaults on reproductive rights, voting rights and public training, we’ll get it finished.”

The seat was open after McClellan was elected to the U.S. Home of Representatives in a February particular election held to fill the emptiness created by the demise of Rep. Don McEachin. Bagby briefly sought the Democratic nomination for that race earlier than withdrawing and backing McClellan.

His victory will arrange yet one more particular election to fill the Henrico County Home of Delegates district he has represented since 2015.

The ninth Senate district contains Charles Metropolis County and components of Richmond and Henrico and Hanover counties. Bagby, chair of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus, far outraised Imholt within the race, bringing in north of $200,000 in contrast with Imholt’s $580, in response to marketing campaign finance filings compiled by the nonpartisan Virginia Public Entry Venture.

Bagby will serve for the rest of McClellan’s time period, which is able to contain a one-day session subsequent month to contemplate Republican Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s vetoes and proposed amendments to laws and any particular session that could be referred to as. Then he and all different Normal Meeting candidates will face election underneath new strains within the November common election.

Imholt, a retired challenge supervisor who beforehand served in native authorities in Illinois, conceded. In a telephone interview, he counseled Bagby for placing collectively a powerful marketing campaign in a brief timeline and congratulated him on the win.