RICHMOND, Va. — Despite expensive and time-consuming campaigning efforts, Republicans failed to win the majority of the Virginia Legislature.
Republican candidates attempted to take a majority of the General Assembly but only managed to obtain a minority of the 140 seats available.
While Gov. Glenn Youngkin's name didn't appear on ballots, the loss is a hit for his administration after spending $19 million on contributions to legislative candidates, local party committees and other campaign expenses while on the campaign trail.
In Virginia, governors cannot serve two consecutive terms. And as Youngkin possibly mulls a late entry into the 2024 presidential race, the outcome of Tuesday's election could be interpreted as a referendum on Youngkin himself.
This election was the first time since 2019 that all 140 seats were on the ballot. Additionally, it was the first election under newly drawn district maps.
In a post to X, formerly known as Twitter, Vice President Kamala Harris celebrated the results, saying Democrats won in Virginia and protected reproductive freedom.
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Gov. Youngkin praised the ruling in a statement Friday and before, appeared on CBS Mornings to share his thoughts on what should come next if the ruling was made