Republican Winsome Sears projected to be Virginia's 1st female lieutenant governor
Virginia officially turned back into a purple state on Tuesday. Voters elected Republicans Glenn Youngkin as governor and Winsome Sears as lieutenant governor, according to projections from Edison Research and media organizations, and they either flipped control of the state House of Delegates or evened it up to a 50-50 tie. Both Sears and her Democratic rival, Hala Ayala, would be the first woman in Virginia's second-highest office, and the first woman of color. Ayala has not conceded the race.
Sears, a 57-year-old former Marine, was born in Jamaica. "I'm telling you that what you are looking at is the American Dream," she said in a victory speech. She is known as a pragmatic conservative who strongly opposes abortion rights and supports gun rights. Along with taking over if the governor is incapacitated or leaves office, her main duty would be breaking a tie in the state Senate, where Democrats have a tenuous 21-19 lead. State Sen. Joseph Morrissey (D) is also opposed to abortion.
The Senate wasn't in play on Tuesday, but all 100 House seats were, and Republicans needed to win back at least six to take control. "Without former president Donald Trump on the ballot to galvanize liberal voters, the election tested the endurance of the blue wave that had flipped more than a dozen House seats to Democrats in 2017 and ousted Republicans from power in 2019 for the first time in a generation," The Washington Post explains. "Instead, Democrats had to grapple with President Biden's waning popularity and reduced enthusiasm among their voters."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Tuesday election will probably lead to gridlock "in the same way it has in Washington unless either side shows some willingness to reach across party lines and develop centrist policies," University of Mary political scientist Stephen Farnsworth tells the Post. "But the divisive politics of modern times, coupled with scorched-earth primary campaigns, are going to convince most elected officials that there isn't much point to compromising."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
What is rock flour and how can it help to fight climate change?
The Explainer Glacier dust to the rescue
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Crossword: April 19, 2024
The Week's daily crossword puzzle
By The Week Staff Published
-
In what states is abortion legal, illegal, and in limbo?
In The Spotlight Where American states stand on abortion care
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
'A speaker courageous enough to stand up to the extremists in his own party'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Mark Menzies: Tories investigate MP after 'bad people' cash claims
Speed Read Fylde MP will sit as an independent while party looks into allegations he misused campaign funds on medical expenses and blackmail pay-out
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Why Johnson won't just pass Ukraine aid
Speed Read The House Speaker could have sent $60 billion in military aid to Ukraine — but it would have split his caucus
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Good riddance to the televised presidential debate'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Sudan on brink of collapse after a year of war
Speed Read 18 million people face famine as the country continues its bloody downward spiral
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump's first criminal trial starts with jury picks
Speed Read The former president faces charges related to hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
How will Israel respond to Iran's direct attack?
Speed Read Iran’s weekend attack on Israel could escalate into a wider Middle East war
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Making sense of FISA's strange bedfellows in Congress
The Explainer How a controversial intelligence gathering law is bringing progressive Democrats and privacy hawk Republicans together
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published