Updated Feb 22 at 9:55 pm
A hurry-up special election to select Congresswoman-elect Jennifer McClellan in the Virginia Senate will be held on Tuesday, March 28.
The timing of the election -- decided by Democratic Sen. Louise Lucas, the Senate President Pro Tempore -- will mean that if the election in this blue district goes as expected, Democrats will maintain their current 22-18 Senate majority during the legislature's annual one-day "veto session" in April. At the session, the Senate will consider amendments and vetoes from Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin.
Democrats will hold a 'firehouse' primary on Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm. Polling locations to be determined.
Three Democrats who are expected to vie for the party's nomination in this Richmond-based district that extends from Ashland to Charles City. The district, which was created in 2021, is strongly Democratic.
There has been no reports if Republicans plan to field a candidate.
The winner of the March 28 special election will serve the remaining 9 months of McClellan's term. The winner will need to run again this November in a newly configured district (SD14) that includes Richmond and a portion of Henrico County. This means another deadline looms large: April 6. That is the final day for candidates to qualify for a June 20 primary to select candidates for the November general election. One Democrat, Katie Gooch, already has filed in the newly configured SD 14. Gooch is NOT running in the special election in the old district.)
Feb. 22, 2023
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