Special elections in Virginia scheduled for January 7, 2025, will be the first major test of voters’ mood following the federal red wave in the 2024 elections
WASHINGTON — With two special elections on the horizon in Virginia that will decide legislative majorities in both chambers, the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) today announced two Virginia Spotlight candidates. Del. Kannan Srinivasan is running for SD-32, and JJ Singh is running for HD-26, both of which are must-win races to maintain Democrats’ slim majorities and provide a crucial check on Republican Gov. Youngkin’s power.
These races will also provide the first opportunity for voters to either challenge or reinforce Democratic state power as we face down the incoming Trump administration and federal GOP trifecta – raising the stakes of these two special elections in a key bellwether state.
Del. Kannan Srinivasan (SD-32) made history as the first Indian American immigrant ever elected to the Virginia House, where he has proven himself a champion for the commonwealth’s working families. Now, Kannan is running for a seat in the state Senate in a special election to protect Democrats’ majority in the chamber. As a member of the Virginia House, Kannan has helped pass bills to provide free school meals for students, expand mental health resources in public schools, and has proposed bills to increase access to affordable health care – all issues he will continue to fight for if he is elected to the Senate in January.
JJ Singh (HD-26) was born and raised in Northern Virginia by immigrant parents, and it’s where he chose to settle down with a family of his own. Now he’s ready to give back to the community by serving in the Virginia House. If JJ wins his January special election, he’ll draw from his extensive business experience along with the values he learned while serving in the Peace Corps to help make the American dream a reality for Virginia’s working families. His priorities include lowering the cost of living, passing common-sense legislation to keep kids safe from gun violence, and driving sustainable economic growth despite a dangerously unpredictable president.
These Spotlight races are top priorities for the DLCC as we aim to protect our slim majorities in both chambers ahead of November 2025, when the full House of Delegates is on the ballot. It’s imperative to protect the progress made by state Democrats since gaining legislative control in 2023 – from strengthening economic opportunity and protecting reproductive freedoms to supporting schools and improving gun safety. The DLCC has a clear roadmap of our strongest opportunities to build Democratic power, and our work this cycle starts with protecting our majorities in Virginia.
Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee President Heather Williams issued the following statement:
“There are no off-years in state legislative campaigns. Next month, there are two must-win special elections in Virginia that will provide the first test of the mood of voters in a key battleground state following the 2024 elections. That’s why the DLCC is wasting no time announcing our Spotlight candidates and supporting their campaigns. Protecting Democrats’ slim majorities in January will position us to be competitive in November when the entire House of Delegates is on the ballot, alongside a competitive gubernatorial race. All eyes should be on Virginia as the key indicator of what the fight ahead looks like to defend and build Democratic power in the states while Trump wields his federal trifecta. Fortifying the Democratic firewall in the states has never been more important, and that work starts in Virginia.”
The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) is the official Democratic Party committee dedicated to winning America’s state legislatures and building state infrastructure. Over the last decade, we have fought cycle-over-cycle to gain a dozen new legislative chamber majorities and we are leading the effort to bring national attention and investment to our ballot level. State legislatures are the building blocks of our democracy and have the closest connections to Americans’ day-to-day lives. From protecting fundamental freedoms and voting rights to growing the middle class, the DLCC and state legislators are moving the Democratic agenda forward and shaping the future of this country.
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