Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin solutions questions from members of the media whereas campaigning at Piney Branch Elementary School November 7, 2023 in Bristow, Virginia.

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Win McNamee/Getty Images

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin solutions questions from members of the media whereas campaigning at Piney Branch Elementary School November 7, 2023 in Bristow, Virginia.

Win McNamee/Getty Images

Virginia Democrats have maintained their control of the state Senate and flipped the state House, consolidating their grip on the state legislature in what’s going to stay divided authorities.

Their legislative wins present Democrats with a stronger hand pushing towards the coverage priorities of Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin.

The total 140-seat legislature was up for grabs. The elections obtained vital nationwide consideration, with outstanding Democrats like President Biden and former President Barack Obama boosting their get together with emails and robocalls.

On the Republican facet, Youngkin’s political action committee poured significant cash into the marketing campaign.

Although Virginia voters weren’t weighing in straight on abortion rights, the difficulty permeated the campaigns. The commonwealth presently acts as a southern refuge for abortion entry within the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade final 12 months.

In one aggressive district in Petersburg, voters mentioned abortion was their high subject.

“Even though the other things are important – that’s more important than anything,” Wilma Nedrick advised NPR on Tuesday.

Republicans, led by Youngkin, have been making an attempt to recast their messaging on abortion, pushing a place they framed as a center floor on the difficulty: a ban on the process at 15 weeks, with exceptions for rape, incest, and the lifetime of the mom.

The DNC cheered Tuesday’s outcomes, labeling them “a huge sign of Democrats’ continued momentum heading into 2024.”

Don Scott, the minority chief of House Democrats, advised NPR Democratic candidates had “the message, the candidates, and the momentum to put a stop to the extreme Republicans’ agenda.”

Scott mentioned the race has implications for 2024.

“I think this is a message that President Biden can take forward,” he mentioned. “He’s won Virginia before. He’ll win Virginia again.”

The House will choose its speaker on Saturday; Scott is the frontrunner. He could be the primary Black speaker within the Virginia House of Delegates if elected.