VIRGINIA, USA — Days after Democrats conceded control of the Virginia House of Delegates to Republicans, Democrats have walked back that concession since two races appear headed for recounts.
As of Tuesday, vote counts show Republicans with 50 seats and holding slight leads in two additional seats that have still not been called by The Associated Press. Democrats have 47 seats and are leading in one other district that has not been called. In both districts where Republicans are leading, the margins are under 0.5%.
That allows candidates to request state-funded recounts. A spokesperson for House Minority Leader Todd Gilbert says Republicans are confident they will have 52 seats in the House when the General Assembly reconvenes In January.
In Hampton, Del. Martha Mugler (D) trails Republican A.C. Cordoza by 94 votes. In Virginia Beach, Del. Alex Askew (D) is currently behind Karen Greenhalgh by 127 votes. The recount processes, if pursued, would likely extend into December.
"In the now somewhat unlikely event Republicans don't win control of the chamber, then much of the things Glenn Youngkin ran on will simply just not happen," said Dr. Ravi Perry, political science chair at Howard University. "Because you can't do most of those priorities Youngkin talked about by executive order. Most of them require legislative action."
In his first bid for public office, Republican Glenn Youngkin has been declared the projected winner of Virginia's gubernatorial race over Democrat Terry McAuliffe.