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.
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. pic.twitter.com/F6J8uN9hQc
— Aaron Rouse (@AaronRouseVA) January 11, 2023
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.
Republican Kevin Adams acknowledged Democrat Aaron Rouse’s victory in the Senate District 7 special election in a press release early Wednesday.
“While the results last night were not what we wanted, I am proud of the campaign that we ran and so thankful for everyone who believed in me and this campaign along the way. We put everything we had into this race and left no stone unturned. Sheila and I congratulate Senator-elect Aaron Rouse. Despite the result, I will never stop serving Hampton Roads,” Adams said.
Rouse was present in the Senate on Wednesday, the first day of the General Assembly session; he said the swearing-in will be held after the results are certified.
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. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Aaron Rouse” by Aaron Rouse. Photo “Kevin Adams” by Kevin Adams. Background Photo “Voting Booths” by Tim Evanson. CC BY-SA 2.0.
