Virginia Democrats celebrate sweeping victories across the state

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Virginia Democrats are celebrating after the entire state leaned left in the latest election cycle.

Democrats Abigail Spanberger, Ghazala Hashmi, and Jay Jones won the governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general races, respectively.

In addition, 13 House of Delegates seats flipped Democratic, with none turning Republican. This includes May Nivar (District 57), Lindsey Dougherty (District 75) and Kimberly Pope-Adams (District 82) — who also claimed victories in competitive House races.

RELATED: Map: See who your county or city voted for in the 2025 General Election

Political science professor Rich Meagher of Randolph-Macon College called the results a “bloodbath for the Republicans,” describing the night as terrible news for the GOP.

“This was really about the Trump administration, about Donald Trump himself, about where the Republicans and the Democrats are and this hunger among at least the Democrats to show some resistance to the Trump administration,” said Meagher.

According to Dr. Richard Burke, an assistant professor of government and foreign affairs with Hampden-Sydney College, the increase in Democratic delegate seats from 51 to 64 shifts the balance of power in the General Assembly, allowing Democrats to pass more progressive policies without needing every party member’s vote.

Meagher said the Democratic Party now needs to act on its momentum.

“They have to pass laws and change people's lives using actual policies,” he said. “Whether that’s raising the minimum wage, protecting tenants and workers or expanding economic regulations, they need to do things.”

He added that if Republicans continue to embrace Donald Trump, they must also convince voters why that approach benefits them and the nation.