The Virginia State Senate isn’t up again until November 2023, with primaries in June 2023, but lots of candidates are already jumping in. Recently, for instance, former Del. Hala Ayala announced for State Senate in the new 33rd district (64% Prince William County, 36% Fairfax County; won by Terry McAuliffe with 62.8% of the vote in 2021), joining former Del. Jennifer Carroll Foy, who announced on January 14, in that race. Also, on January 26, Democrat Ben Litchfield announced his candidacy in SD27; on March 23, former Del. Lashrecse Aird (D) announced in SD13 (she’ll be facing Democratic State Sen. Joe Morrissey in the primary); on March 23, Norfolk City Council member Andria McClellan (D) announced in SD21 (joining Democrat Mike Pudhorodsky, who had previously announced, in that race); on March 14, VA Beach Council member Aaron Rouse announced in SD22; etc.
Now, per Sam Shirazi, we’ve got two more candidates: Democratic Del. Clint Jenkins running in Suffolk City-based SD17 (a seat that generally has gone “blue,” but went by a few points for Youngkin last year); and Republican Del. Tara Durant in Stafford County-based SD27 (a seat that definitely leans “red,” but that Tim Kaine won in 2018 over Corey Stewart). As Sam Shirazi points out:
“Durant’s current Fredericksburg based seat will now not have an incumbent. Former Delegate Joshua Cole, who Durant defeated [in 2021], is widely expected to run. The new district is more Dem friendly as it keeps Fredericksburg whole and should give Cole a very good chance in 2023”
Anyway, good luck to all the Democratic candidates, of course. And stay tuned for more announcements, which undoubtedly will be coming in the next few weeks and months…
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