Democrat Aaron Rouse declared victory in Tuesday’s special election to fill a state senate seat left vacant after now Congresswoman Jen Kiggans’ (R-VA-02) election to Congress; however, Republicans may consider requesting a recount due to Kevin Adams’ loss by less than one percent in preliminary results.
“THANK YOU! With your support, and the support of voters from across Virginia Beach and Norfolk, we have won this Special Election. No rest for the weary – tomorrow, we head to Richmond to get to work for Virginia families,” Rouse tweeted.
The Senate District (SD) 7 election had about 25 percent turnout. Rouse won 19,430 to Adams’ 19,082 — just 348 votes. With provisional ballots and some absentee ballots uncounted, that margin could change, and elections officials will calculate the final results later this week.
There are no automatic recounts in Virginia, but a candidate who loses by less than one percent can request a recount, according to a Virginia Department of Elections guide.
The General Assembly convenes on Wednesday and the narrow SD 7 results mean that the seat will remain vacant through the first few days of session. Democrats already controlled the State Senate majority 21-19 before Kiggans left for Congress; for now, their margin is slightly larger.
The winner of the election will finish Kiggans’ term under old district lines; new district lines will be in place for the Senate 2023 elections.
“This is a one-year gig,” Republican Party of Norfolk Past Chairman Pam Brown told The Virginia Star. “It was to set him [Adams] up to be an incumbent.”
The balance of power stays unchanged in the Republican-controlled House after two special elections Tuesday.
In House District (HD) 24, Republican Ellen Hamilton Campbell is set to succeed her late husband, Delegate Ronnie Campbell after her victory over Democrat Jade Harris, 6,279 to 3,671 in preliminary results. In HD 35, Democrat Holly Seibold defeated Republican Monique Baroudi 7,321 to 3,555.
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Eric Burk is a reporter at The Virginia Star and The Star News Network. This article originally appeared in The Virginia Star. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of The Republican Standard. Republished with permission.