RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Virginia Democrats are promising swift action on a host of liberal policy proposals now that they've taken control of the statehouse for the first time in more than two decades.
Democratic leaders promised to raise the minimum wage and enact new gun restrictions after flipping control of the House and Senate on Tuesday.
Suburban voters turned out in big numbers to back Democratic candidates, continuing a trend of once GOP-friendly suburbs turning blue since President Donald Trump's election.
Democrats now hold every statewide office in Virginia as well as majorities at the General Assembly. They have also promised to approve the Equal Rights Amendment, making Virginia the final state needed for possible passage of the gender equality measure.
Virginia Eastern Shore
On the Virginia Eastern shore incumbent Republican Robert Bloxom from the Norfolk area won the State House District 100.
He beat his challenger Democrat Philip Hernandez by 11,866 votes to 10,979 votes.
Meanwhile, Democratic incumbent Lynwood Lewis won the State Senate District 6 over his Republican opponent Elizabeth Lankford with just over 25-thousand votes to around 17-thousand.
The district serves Accomack and Northampton counties as well as parts of Norfolk and Virginia Beach.
Open Seat
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - The GOP has maintained control of an open Virginia Beach-area state Senate seat previously held by a Republican.
Republican Jen Kiggans defeated Democratic Del. Cheryl Turpin on Tuesday. The two were competing for retired Sen. Frank Wagner's seat in a swing district that covers Virginia Beach and a small portion of Norfolk.
Kiggans is a nurse practitioner and former naval aviator. Turpin is a science teacher who was elected to the state House in 2017.
