Virginia House of Delegates election, 2017 - wikipedia Virginia House of Delegates election, 2017 Virginia House of Delegates election, 2017 ← 2015 November 7, 2017 2019 → All 100 seats in the Virginia House of Delegates 51 seats needed for a majority Turnout 47.6 % Majority party Minority party Leader Bill Howell ( retiring ) David Toscano Party Republican Democratic Leader since January 8, 2003 November 19, 2011 Leader 's seat 28th 57th Seats before 66 34 Seats won 51 49 Seat change 15 15 Popular vote 1,075,206 1,306,384 Percentage 43.76 % 53.17 % Swing 15.84 % 17.42 % Results by district Democratic Republican Speaker before election Bill Howell Republican Elected Speaker Kirk Cox Republican Elections in Virginia Federal government Presidential elections 1788 - 89 1792 1796 1800 1804 1808 1812 1816 1820 1824 1828 1832 1836 1840 1844 1848 1852 1856 1860 1872 1876 1880 1884 1888 1892 1896 1900 1904 1908 1912 1916 1920 1924 1928 1932 1936 1940 1944 1948 1952 1956 1960 1964 1968 1972 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 2000 2008 2012 2016 Presidential primaries Democratic 2008 Republican 2008 2012 U.S. Senate elections 1922 1924 1928 1930 1934 1936 1940 1942 1946 1948 1952 1954 1958 1960 1964 1966 1970 1972 1976 1978 1982 1984 1988 1990 1994 2000 2002 2006 2008 2012 2014 2018 U.S. House elections 1920 1922 1924 1926 1928 1930 1932 1934 1936 1938 1940 1942 1944 1946 1948 1950 1952 1954 1956 1958 1960 1962 1964 1966 1968 1970 1972 1976 1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1998 2000 2002 2006 2008 2012 2014 2016 2018 Special elections U.S. Senate, 1920 U.S. Senate, 1933 U.S. Senate, 1946 U.S. Senate, 1966 1st congressional district, 2007 State government Gubernatorial elections 1851 1855 1859 1863 ( Confederate ) 1863 ( Union ) 1869 1873 1877 1881 1885 1889 1893 1897 1901 1905 1909 1913 1917 1921 1925 1929 1933 1937 1941 1945 1949 1953 1957 1961 1965 1969 1973 1977 1981 1985 1989 1993 1997 2001 2005 2009 2013 2017 Lieutenant Governor elections 2013 2017 Attorney General elections 2005 2013 2017 House of Delegates elections 1977 1979 1981 1982 1985 1989 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 2017 Senate elections 1979 1991 1995 1999 2003 2007 2011 2015 Other elections 1989 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 2017 Ballot measures 1970 1972 1976 1977 1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1998 2000 2002 2006 2012 2014 2016 2016 Fairfax County Meals Tax Referendum Richmond Mayoral elections 2016 City Council elections 2016 The Virginia House of Delegates election of 2017 was held on Tuesday, November 7. All 100 seats in the Virginia House of Delegates were contested. The Republican Party held a 66 -- 34 majority in the House of Delegates before the election but lost 15 seats to the Democratic Party, resulting in the Republicans holding a 50 -- 49 advantage. After a recount, the result of the election in the 94th district was called a tie. The candidate to hold the seat was determined by random drawing on January 4, 2018, which resulted in the Republicans holding a 51 -- 49 majority. The election was marred by electoral irregularities, such as robocalls falsely telling voters their polling places had changed and voters being assigned to the wrong district. These irregularities led to lawsuits and a delay in the certification of the election results. Several candidates filed for recounts, one of which changed the result, the first time in almost 30 years that a recount in a Virginia election had done so. That recount 's results were not certified, however, due to a questionable ballot ; a tie was declared and a random drawing gave the seat to the pre-recount leader. Contents 1 Background 2 Delegates not running for re-election 3 Results 3.1 Overall 3.2 By House of Delegates district 3.3 Seats that changed hands 4 Aftermath 4.1 Reaction 4.2 Misinformation 4.3 Irregularities 4.4 Recounts 4.5 Speakership 5 See also 6 References Background The election took place during the first term of President Donald Trump, a Republican who won the 2016 presidential election. Democrats fielded a larger number of candidates than usual in hopes of defying Trump. While 17 Republican delegates ' districts backed Clinton, none of the Democrats ' districts backed Trump. For this reason, Democrats focused more on picking up seats than on defending seats. Early on, it was expected that Republicans would hold the majority, but Democrats became more optimistic following the unexpectedly close result in Kansas 's 4th congressional district special election. Likewise, after Jacqueline Smith won the election for Prince William County Clerk of Circuit Court, Republicans expressed concern that Democratic momentum and Republican internal bickering could cause them to lose five to ten seats in the House of Delegates. Democratic state senator Jeremy McPike argued that Smith 's victory boded well for Democratic turnout in the state election. The filing deadline for Republicans and Democrats to participate in the June 13 primary was March 30. There were seven open House seats, as Republicans Dave Albo, Mark Dudenhefer, Peter Farrell, Bill Howell, Jimmie Massie, and Rick Morris, and Democrat Daun Hester all declined to run again. A total of 55 House of Delegates races were contested. 77 Democrats lined up to challenge 49 Republican incumbents. 35 races were uncontested in the general election, with 13 having only a Republican candidate and 22 having only a Democrat. In the 2017 election, Democrats reported 153,442 donations of $100 or less, whereas Republicans reported 7,332 such donations. Delegates not running for re-election Delegate Seat First elected Party Date announced Ref. Dave Albo 42nd district 1993 Republican 000000002017 - 04 - 05 - 0000 April 5, 2017 Mark Dudenhefer 2nd district 2015 Republican 000000002017 - 01 - 06 - 0000 January 6, 2017 Peter Farrell 56th district 2013 Republican 000000002017 - 03 - 10 - 0000 March 10, 2017 Daun Hester 89th district 2012 Democratic 000000002016 - 12 - 30 - 0000 December 30, 2016 William J. Howell 28th district Republican 000000002017 - 02 - 20 - 0000 February 20, 2017 Jimmie Massie 72nd district 2007 Republican 000000002017 - 03 - 18 - 0000 March 18, 2017 Rick Morris 64th district 2011 Republican 000000002017 - 03 - 01 - 0000 March 1, 2017 Results By November 8, the Associated Press called the elections in 96 districts, giving the Democrats a 49 -- 47 advantage but not yet the majority of seats. Upon certification of the election results on November 27, the Republicans held a 51 -- 49 majority. A recount in the 94th district resulted in the Democrats gaining one more seat, causing a 50 -- 50 split. But a three - judge panel declined to certify the result and counted another vote that tied the election, which led to the panel declaring that there was no winner. So the balance of the House of Delegates was at 50 -- 49 in the Republicans ' favor until the race was resolved through drawing lots, as per state law. On January 4, 2018, the drawing was held and Republican David Yancey was declared the winner. His opponent, Shelly Simonds, conceded on January 10. There were several notable candidates who won elections. Democratic candidate Chris Hurst, whose girlfriend was murdered on live television in 2015, defeated Republican incumbent and National Rifle Association - supported Joseph Yost in the 12th district. In the 13th district, Democratic candidate Danica Roem defeated Republican incumbent Bob Marshall to become the first openly transgender candidate to be elected and serve in a state legislative body in the United States. In the 21st and 42nd districts, respectively, Democratic candidates Kelly Fowler and Kathy Tran became the first Asian American women elected to the House of Delegates after defeating Republican incumbent Ron Villanueva and candidate Lolita Mancheno - Smoak. Democratic candidates Elizabeth Guzmán and Hala Ayala defeated Republican incumbents Scott Lingamfelter and Richard Anderson in the 31st and 51st districts, respectively, to also become the first two Hispanic women elected to the House of Delegates. In the 50th district, Lee Carter, the Democratic candidate and a self - described democratic socialist, defeated Republican incumbent Jackson Miller. Democratic candidate Dawn M. Adams became the first openly lesbian candidate to be elected to the House of Delegates after defeating Republican incumbent G. Manoli Loupassi in the 68th district. In the 2017 election, 25 women were elected to the House of Delegates, breaking the previous record of 19 that was set in 2013. Overall ↓ 51 49 Republican Democratic Republican ( 51 ) Democratic ( 49 ) Seats, of total, by party Republican ( 51 % ) Democratic ( 49 % ) Votes, of total, by party Democratic ( 53.17 % ) Republican ( 43.76 % ) Other ( 3.07 % ) Party Leader Delegates Votes Of total ± Of total ± Republican Party William J. Howell 51 51 % 51 / 100 15 1,075,206 43.76 % 15.84 Democratic Party David Toscano 49 49 % 49 / 100 15 1,306,384 53.17 % 17.42 Vote share Democratic 53.17 % Republican 43.76 % Others 3.07 % House of Delegates seats Republican 51 % Democratic 49 % By House of Delegates district District Incumbent This race Number Representative Party First elected Winner Candidates Terry Kilgore Republican 1993 Terry Kilgore ( R ) Terry Kilgore ( R ) 76.0 % Alicia Kallen ( D ) 23.8 % Mark Dudenhefer Republican 2015 ( 2012 -- 2014 ) Jennifer Carroll Foy ( D ) Democratic gain. Mike Makee ( R ) 36.8 % Jennifer Carroll Foy ( D ) 63.0 % Will Morefield Republican 2009 Will Morefield ( R ) Will Morefield ( R ) 78.1 % Bill Bunch ( D ) 21.6 % Todd Pillion Republican 2014 Todd Pillion ( R ) Todd Pillion ( R ) unopposed 5 Israel O'Quinn Republican 2011 Israel O'Quinn ( R ) Israel O'Quinn ( R ) unopposed 6 Jeff Campbell Republican 2013 Jeff Campbell ( R ) Jeff Campbell ( R ) 81.3 % Kenneth Browning ( I ) 17.9 % 7 Nick Rush Republican 2011 Nick Rush ( R ) Nick Rush ( R ) 66.3 % Flourette Ketner ( D ) 33.5 % 8 Greg Habeeb Republican 2011 Greg Habeeb ( R ) Greg Habeeb ( R ) 63.9 % Steve McBride ( D ) 35.9 % 9 Charles Poindexter Republican 2007 Charles Poindexter ( R ) Charles Poindexter ( R ) 70.3 % Stephanie Cook ( D ) 29.6 % 10 Randy Minchew Republican 2011 Wendy Gooditis ( D ) Democratic gain. Randy Minchew ( R ) 48.0 % Wendy Gooditis ( D ) 51.9 % 11 Sam Rasoul Democratic 2014 Sam Rasoul ( D ) Sam Rasoul ( D ) unopposed 12 Joseph R. Yost Republican 2011 Chris Hurst ( D ) Democratic gain. Joseph R. Yost ( R ) 45.5 % Chris Hurst ( D ) 54.4 % 13 Bob Marshall Republican 1991 Danica Roem ( D ) Democratic gain. Bob Marshall ( R ) 45.9 % Danica Roem ( D ) 53.7 % 14 Danny Marshall Republican 2001 Danny Marshall ( R ) Danny Marshall ( R ) unopposed 15 Todd Gilbert Republican 2005 Todd Gilbert ( R ) Todd Gilbert ( R ) unopposed 16 Les Adams Republican 2013 Les Adams ( R ) Les Adams ( R ) unopposed 17 Chris Head Republican 2011 Chris Head ( R ) Chris Head ( R ) 60.6 % Djuna Osborne ( D ) 39.3 % 18 Michael Webert Republican 2011 Michael Webert ( R ) Michael Webert ( R ) 60.4 % Tristan Shields ( D ) 34.3 % Will King ( G ) 5.2 % 19 Terry Austin Republican 2013 Terry Austin ( R ) Terry Austin ( R ) unopposed 20 Richard Bell Republican 2009 Richard Bell ( R ) Richard Bell ( R ) 54.5 % Michele Edwards ( D ) 42.6 % Will Hammer ( L ) 2.8 % 21 Ron Villanueva Republican 2009 Kelly Fowler ( D ) Democratic gain. Ron Villanueva ( R ) 47.3 % Kelly Fowler ( D ) 52.5 % 22 Kathy Byron Republican 1997 Kathy Byron ( R ) Kathy Byron ( R ) unopposed 23 Scott Garrett Republican 2009 Scott Garrett ( R ) Scott Garrett ( R ) 65.7 % Natalie Short ( D ) 34.2 % 24 Benjamin L. Cline Republican 2002 Benjamin L. Cline ( R ) Benjamin L. Cline ( R ) 71.9 % John C. Winfrey ( I ) 27.7 % 25 Steve Landes Republican 1995 Steve Landes ( R ) Steve Landes ( R ) 58.0 % Angela Lynn ( D ) 41.9 % 26 Tony Wilt Republican Tony Wilt ( R ) Tony Wilt ( R ) 54.5 % Brent Finnegan ( D ) 45.3 % 27 Roxann Robinson Republican Roxann Robinson ( R ) Roxann Robinson ( R ) 50.2 % Larry V. Barnett ( D ) 49.7 % 28 Bill Howell Republican Bob Thomas ( R ) Republican hold. Bob Thomas ( R ) 50.1 % Joshua Cole ( D ) 49.7 % 29 Chris Collins Republican 2015 Chris Collins ( R ) Casey Turben ( D ) 35.6 % Chris Collins ( R ) 64.2 % 30 Nicholas Freitas Republican 2015 Nicholas Freitas ( R ) Ben Hixon ( D ) 37.8 % Nicholas Freitas ( R ) 62.1 % 31 Scott Lingamfelter Republican 2001 Elizabeth Guzman ( D ) Democratic gain. Elizabeth Guzman ( D ) 54.0 % Scott Lingamfelter ( R ) 44.2 % Nathan Larson ( I ) 1.7 % 32 Tag Greason Republican 2009 David Reid ( D ) Democratic gain. David Reid ( D ) 58.5 % Tag Greason ( R ) 41.4 % 33 Dave LaRock Republican 2013 Dave LaRock ( R ) Tia Walbridge ( D ) 45.1 % Dave LaRock ( R ) 54.8 % 34 Kathleen Murphy Democratic 2015 Kathleen Murphy ( D ) Kathleen Murphy ( D ) 60.9 % Cheryl A. Buford ( R ) 39.0 % 35 Mark Keam Democratic 2009 Mark Keam ( D ) Mark Keam ( D ) unopposed 36 Ken Plum Democratic 1981 ( 1978 -- 1980 ) Ken Plum ( D ) Ken Plum ( D ) unopposed 37 David Bulova Democratic 2005 David Bulova ( D ) David Bulova ( D ) unopposed 38 Kaye Kory Democratic 2009 Kaye Kory ( D ) Kaye Kory ( D ) 73.5 % Paul Haring ( R ) 26.3 % 39 Vivian Watts Democratic 1995 Vivian Watts ( D ) Vivian Watts ( D ) unopposed 40 Tim Hugo Republican 2002 Tim Hugo ( R ) Donte Tanner ( D ) 49.7 % Tim Hugo ( R ) 50.1 % 41 Eileen Filler - Corn Democratic Eileen Filler - Corn ( D ) Eileen Filler - Corn ( D ) unopposed 42 Dave Albo Republican 1993 Kathy Tran ( D ) Democratic gain. Kathy Tran ( D ) 61.0 % Lolita Mancheno - Smoak ( R ) 38.9 % 43 Mark Sickles Democratic 2003 Mark Sickles ( D ) Mark Sickles ( D ) unopposed 44 Paul Krizek Democratic 2015 Paul Krizek ( D ) Paul Krizek ( D ) unopposed 45 Mark Levine Democratic 2015 Mark Levine ( D ) Mark Levine ( D ) unopposed 46 Charniele Herring Democratic 2009 Charniele Herring ( D ) Charniele Herring ( D ) unopposed 47 Patrick Hope Democratic 2009 Patrick Hope ( D ) Patrick Hope ( D ) unopposed 48 Rip Sullivan Democratic 2014 Rip Sullivan ( D ) Rip Sullivan ( D ) unopposed 49 Alfonso Lopez Democratic 2011 Alfonso Lopez ( D ) Alfonso Lopez ( D ) 81.3 % Adam Roosevelt ( R ) 18.5 % 50 Jackson Miller Republican 2006 Lee Carter ( D ) Democratic gain. Lee Carter ( D ) 54.3 % Jackson Miller ( R ) 45.5 % 51 Rich Anderson Republican 2009 Hala Ayala ( D ) Democratic gain. Hala Ayala ( D ) 53.0 % Rich Anderson ( R ) 46.8 % 52 Luke Torian Democratic 2009 Luke Torian ( D ) Luke Torian ( D ) unopposed 53 Marcus Simon Democratic 2013 Marcus Simon ( D ) Marcus Simon ( D ) 74.3 % Mike Casey ( I ) 24.6 % 54 Bobby Orrock Republican 1989 Bobby Orrock ( R ) Bobby Orrock ( R ) 57.9 % Al Durante ( D ) 41.9 % 55 Buddy Fowler Republican 2013 Buddy Fowler ( R ) Buddy Fowler ( R ) 59.9 % Morgan Goodman ( D ) 39.9 % 56 Peter Farrell Republican 2011 John McGuire III ( R ) Republican hold. Melissa M. Dart ( D ) 40.4 % John McGuire, III ( R ) 59.5 % 57 David Toscano Democratic 2005 David Toscano ( D ) David Toscano ( D ) unopposed 58 Rob Bell Republican 2001 Rob Bell ( R ) Kellen Squire ( D ) 38.7 % Rob Bell ( R ) 61.2 % 59 Matt Fariss Republican 2011 Matt Fariss ( R ) Matt Fariss ( R ) 61.2 % Tracy Carver ( D ) 34.1 % David Ball ( I ) 3.4 % Marcus T. Sutphin ( G ) 1.2 % 60 James E. Edmunds Republican 2009 James E. Edmunds ( R ) Jamaal Johnston ( D ) 38.0 % James E. Edmunds ( R ) 61.9 % 61 Tommy Wright Republican 2000 Tommy Wright ( R ) Tommy Wright ( R ) unopposed 62 Riley Ingram Republican 1991 Riley Ingram ( R ) Sheila Bynum - Coleman ( D ) 48.2 % Riley Ingram ( R ) 51.7 % 63 Lashrecse Aird Democratic 2015 Lashrecse Aird ( D ) Lashrecse Aird ( D ) unopposed 64 Rick Morris Republican 2011 Emily Brewer ( R ) Republican hold. Rebecca S. Colaw ( D ) 37.5 % Emily Brewer ( R ) 62.4 % 65 Lee Ware Republican 1998 Lee Ware ( R ) Lee Ware ( R ) 64.0 % Francis Stevens ( D ) 34.8 % 66 Kirk Cox Republican 1989 Kirk Cox ( R ) Katie Ann Sponsler ( D ) 36.4 % Kirk Cox ( R ) 63.5 % 67 James LeMunyon Republican 2009 Karrie Delaney ( D ) Democratic gain. Karrie Delaney ( D ) 57.9 % James LeMunyon ( R ) 42.0 % 68 Manoli Loupassi Republican 2007 Dawn M. Adams ( D ) Democratic gain. Dawn M. Adams ( D ) 50.4 % Manoli Loupassi ( R ) 49.5 % 69 Betsy B. Carr Democratic 2009 Betsy B. Carr ( D ) Betsy B. Carr ( D ) 86.6 % Jake Crocker ( L ) 8.5 % Montigue Magruder ( G ) 4.7 % 70 Delores McQuinn Democratic 2008 Delores McQuinn ( D ) Delores McQuinn ( D ) unopposed 71 Jeff Bourne Democratic 2017 Jeff Bourne ( D ) Jeff Bourne ( D ) unopposed 72 Jimmie Massie Republican 2007 Schuyler T. VanValkenburg ( D ) Democratic gain. Schuyler T. VanValkenburg ( D ) 52.7 % Eddie Whitlock ( R ) 47.1 % 73 John O'Bannon Republican 2000 Debra H. Rodman ( D ) Democratic gain. Debra H. Rodman ( D ) 51.5 % John O'Bannon ( R ) 48.4 % 74 Lamont Bagby Democratic 2015 Lamont Bagby ( D ) Lamont Bagby ( D ) 76.0 % Preston Brown ( I ) 23.3 % 75 Roslyn Tyler Democratic 2005 Roslyn Tyler ( D ) Roslyn Tyler ( D ) unopposed 76 Chris Jones Republican 1997 Chris Jones ( R ) Chris Jones ( R ) unopposed 77 Cliff Hayes, Jr. Democratic 2016 Cliff Hayes, Jr. ( D ) Cliff Hayes, Jr. ( D ) 82.6 % Jeff Staples ( G ) 16.9 % 78 Jay Leftwich Republican 2013 Jay Leftwich ( R ) Jay Leftwich ( R ) unopposed 79 Steve Heretick Democratic 2015 Steve Heretick ( D ) Steve Heretick ( D ) unopposed 80 Matthew James Democratic 2009 Matthew James ( D ) Matthew James ( D ) unopposed 81 Barry Knight Republican 2008 Barry Knight ( R ) Kimberly Anne Tucker ( D ) 40.1 % Barry Knight ( R ) 59.0 % 82 Jason Miyares Republican 2015 Jason Miyares ( R ) Leigh Anne Bowling ( D ) 41.0 % Jason Miyares ( R ) 58.9 % 83 Chris Stolle Republican 2009 Chris Stolle ( R ) Chris Stolle ( R ) 56.6 % David Rose - Carmack ( D ) 43.3 % 84 Glenn Davis Republican 2013 Glenn Davis ( R ) Veronica Coleman ( D ) 48.1 % Glenn Davis ( R ) 51.7 % 85 Rocky Holcomb Republican 2017 Cheryl Turpin ( D ) Democratic gain. Cheryl Turpin ( D ) 50.7 % Rocky Holcomb ( R ) 49.1 % 86 Jennifer Boysko Democratic 2015 Jennifer Boysko ( D ) Jennifer Boysko ( D ) 68.5 % Linda C. Schulz ( R ) 31.3 % 87 John Bell Democratic 2015 John Bell ( D ) John Bell ( D ) 61.7 % Subba R. Kolla ( R ) 38.0 % 88 Mark Cole Republican 2001 Mark Cole ( R ) Steve Aycock ( D ) 37.3 % Mark Cole ( R ) 52.7 % Amanda Blalock ( I ) 8.9 % Gerald Anderson ( G ) 1.0 % 89 Daun Hester Democratic 2012 Jay Jones ( D ) Democratic hold. Jay Jones ( D ) 84.5 % Terry Hurst ( L ) 15.0 % 90 Joe Lindsey Democratic 2014 Joe Lindsey ( D ) Joe Lindsey ( D ) unopposed 91 Gordon Helsel Republican 2011 Gordon Helsel ( R ) Michael Wade ( D ) 43.6 % Gordon Helsel ( R ) 56.2 % 92 Jeion Ward Democratic 2003 Jeion Ward ( D ) Jeion Ward ( D ) unopposed 93 Michael Mullin Democratic 2016 Michael Mullin ( D ) Michael Mullin ( D ) 60.0 % Heather Cordasco ( R ) 39.9 % 94 David Yancey Republican 2011 David Yancey ( R ) Republican hold after tiebreaker. Shelly Simonds ( D ) 48.638 % David Yancey ( R ) 48.638 % 95 Marcia Price Democratic 2015 Marcia Price ( D ) Marcia Price ( D ) unopposed 96 Brenda Pogge Republican 2007 Brenda Pogge ( R ) Kelly DeLucia ( D ) 42.9 % Brenda Pogge ( R ) 56.9 % 97 Chris Peace Republican 2006 Chris Peace ( R ) Chris Peace ( R ) 72.2 % Cori Johnson ( D ) 27.6 % 98 Keith Hodges Republican 2011 Keith Hodges ( R ) Sheila Crowley ( D ) 34.9 % Keith Hodges ( R ) 65.1 % 99 Margaret Ransone Republican 2011 Margaret Ransone ( R ) Francis N. Edwards ( D ) 37.7 % Margaret Ransone ( R ) 62.2 % 100 Robert Bloxom Jr. Republican 2014 Robert Bloxom Jr. ( R ) Willie Randall ( D ) 47.7 % Robert Bloxom Jr. ( R ) 52.1 % Seats that changed hands Republican to Democratic ( 15 ) 2nd district 10th district 12th district 13th district 21st district 31st district 32nd district 42nd district 50th district 51st district 67th district 68th district 72nd district 73rd district 85th district Aftermath Reaction Frank Bruni, a columnist for The New York Times, said the Republican Party should be `` scared '' as a result of the Virginia elections. Slate writer Mark Stern blamed gerrymandering as the reason why the Democrats did not win a majority in the House of Delegates. Chicago Tribune editorial board member Clarence Page called the election an `` unmistakable anti-Trump backlash. '' Misinformation On November 7, a Twitter account called `` MAGA Mike King '' was suspended after it tweeted more than a dozen times a graphic purportedly instructing Virginians on how to vote by text. On the same day, Harry Wiggins, the chair of the Prince William County Democratic Committee, told The Intercept that voters in his county were receiving robocalls falsely telling them their polling places had changed. Irregularities On November 13, the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund filed a lawsuit in the state court alleging that conflicting and misleading instructions from the Stafford County Electoral Board would ultimately prevent provisional ballots from being counted. Their lawsuit was thrown out on November 14 by judge Victoria Willis because it was not clear that the two voters named as plaintiffs had been harmed. On November 20, the Virginia State Board of Elections voted unanimously to delay certification of elections in the 28th and 88th districts after Elections Commissioner Edgardo Cortés announced that in April 2016, Fredericksburg registrar Juanita Pitchford erroneously assigned 83 voters from the 28th to the 88th. On November 22, federal judge T.S. Ellis III rejected the Virginia Democratic Party 's bid to halt the Virginia State Board of Elections from certifying the vote totals in the 28th district. After certifying the final results on November 27, Virginia State Board of Elections Chairman James Alcorn acknowledged the possibility of other voters being erroneously assigned to the wrong district. On December 7, the Democrats filed an amended complaint that asked the judge to order the state to decertify the election, block Republican candidate Robert Thomas from being seated as a delegate when the General Assembly convenes in January, and hold a new election for the seat. On January 2, 2018, it was reported that the Virginia Department of Elections, Speaker Bill Howell, and Fredericksburg 's Electoral Board knew there were problems with voters assigned to the wrong House districts in the Fredericksburg area since at least early 2015. Recounts On November 29, Democratic candidates Shelly Simonds and Donte Tanner filed for recounts in the 94th and 40th districts, respectively. On November 30, Republican incumbent Manoli Loupassi, who lost to Democratic candidate Dawn Adams, filed for a recount in the 68th district. On December 3, Democratic candidate Joshua Cole filed a request for a recount in the 28th district. On December 14, Republican incumbent Tim Hugo won the recount in the 40th district, defeating Donte Tanner by 99 votes. On December 20, Adams ' victory over Loupassi was confirmed by the recount. On December 21, Republican candidate Robert Thomas defeated Joshua Cole in the recount of the 28th district election. On December 19, the recount in the 94th district determined that Simonds defeated Republican incumbent David Yancey by one vote, which ended the 18 - year Republican majority in the House of Delegates and created an even 50 -- 50 split. It was the first time in almost thirty years that a recount changed an election result in Virginia. However, a three - judge panel declined to certify the results, citing a questionable ballot that had previously not been counted, which they deemed should be counted in favor of the Republican instead. Judge Bryant Sugg said, `` The court declares there is no winner in this election. '' In the event of a tie in a House of Delegates election, state law says the winner is chosen by lot. On December 21, James Alcorn tweeted that a random drawing would occur on December 27. On December 26, the drawing was postponed after Simonds filed a legal motion challenging the validity of a ballot counted in Yancey 's favor. On December 28 on CNN 's New Day, Simonds said, `` I do have a problem with doing a game of chance now, because I do feel now I did win fair and square during the recount. '' On December 29, Alcorn tweeted, `` The State Board of Elections will convene on Thursday, January 4 at 11 : 00 am. Unless the court system intervenes, the Board will draw a winner for ( the 94th district ). '' In the legal case, Yancey filed paperwork arguing that Simonds had presented no grounds for a recount court to reconsider its decision. On January 3, 2018, the recount panel rejected Simonds ' motion, allowing the random draw to proceed as planned. On January 4, the tie - breaking drawing was held and Yancey was the winner. Simonds conceded on January 10. Speakership If the Republicans retained a majority in the House of Delegates, Kirk Cox was in line to become speaker. On December 8, Kenneth R. Plum, a Democrat and the most senior member of the House of Delegates, voiced the possibility of him becoming speaker while minority leader David Toscano is named the majority leader. In an email disclosed by The Washington Post on December 27, Toscano accused the Republicans of trying `` to undermine ( Democratic ) unity by offering deals to various members in exchange ( for ) a vote for Speaker. '' Toscano also warned his fellow Democratic delegates against calling in sick when the legislature convenes or taking an ill - timed bathroom break during the floor session, fearing that in an evenly split chamber, the Republicans might seize any opportunity to call a vote and take control. After the Republicans retained a majority in the House of Delegates, Cox was elected speaker by a vote of 98 -- 0 on January 10, 2018. Cox did n't vote for himself, and one Democratic delegate did n't appear to be in the chamber. See also United States elections, 2017 Virginia elections, 2017 Virginia gubernatorial election, 2017 Virginia lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2017 Virginia Attorney General election, 2017 References Jump up ^ `` Registration / Turnout Statistics ''. Virginia Department of Elections. Retrieved December 20, 2017. Jump up ^ GRAHAM MOOMAW ( March 11, 2017 ). `` Amid Trump resistance, Virginia Democrats see surge of candidates for House of Delegates Virginia ''. Richmond.com. Retrieved June 23, 2017. Jump up ^ Singer, Jeff ( January 23, 2017 ). `` Virginia 's House is the most important legislature up this year, and Clinton won a majority of seats ''. Dailykos.com. Retrieved June 23, 2017. Jump up ^ `` All 100 House of Delegates Seats Are Up This Year, and They 're Getting More Attention Than Usual ''. WVTF. March 7, 2017. Retrieved June 23, 2017. Jump up ^ `` What Could Happen If There Were a KS04 - Style Swing Towards Dems in Virginia This Year ? - Blue Virginia ''. Bluevirginia.us. April 12, 2017. Retrieved June 23, 2017. Jump up ^ Thomas Bowman ( April 12, 2017 ). `` Virginia Dems Should be Over the Moon about Kansas Vote CCFund ''. Bluevirginia.us. Retrieved June 23, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Editorial : What do Kansas results mean for Virginia ? Opinion ''. Roanoke.com. April 14, 2017. Retrieved June 23, 2017. Jump up ^ Brian Schoeneman ( April 19, 2017 ). `` Prince William Clerk of Court Race Loss is Warning for November ''. Bearing Drift. Retrieved June 23, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Democrats emboldened by win ; Jackie Smith ' ready to get to work ' Headlines ''. Insidenova.com. April 20, 2017. Retrieved June 23, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Candidacy Requirements for the November 7, 2017 General Election '' ( PDF ). Elections.virginia.gov. Retrieved June 23, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Eight House of Delegates Members Wo n't Seek Re-Election ; Seven Republicans and One Democrat ''. WVTF. March 16, 2017. Retrieved June 23, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Field set for June primaries, November House lineup News ''. Heraldcourier.com. April 1, 2017. Retrieved June 23, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Del. Ken Plum : A Sense of Impending Changes in the Legislature ''. Reston Now. April 13, 2017. Retrieved June 23, 2017. Jump up ^ `` The Impact of Small Donations in House Elections ''. Virginia Public Access Project. December 15, 2017. Retrieved December 25, 2017. Jump up ^ Moomaw, Graham ( April 5, 2017 ). `` Del. Dave Albo, head of House courts, wo n't seek re-election ''. Richmond Times - Dispatch. Retrieved December 19, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Exclusive : Mark Dudenhefer wo n't seek reelection to House of Delegates ''. Stafford : Stafford Local. January 6, 2017. Retrieved December 19, 2017. Jump up ^ Wilson, Patrick ( March 10, 2017 ). `` Del. Peter Farrell of Henrico wo n't seek re-election ''. Richmond Times - Dispatch. Retrieved December 19, 2017. Jump up ^ Hartley, Eric ( December 30, 2016 ). `` Del. Daun Hester to run for Norfolk treasurer ''. Norfolk : The Virginian - Pilot. Retrieved December 19, 2017. Jump up ^ Vozzella, Laura ; Schneider, Gregory S. ( February 20, 2017 ). `` Va. House Speaker William Howell, a pragmatic Republican, will not run again ''. Richmond : The Washington Post. Retrieved December 19, 2017. Jump up ^ Moomaw, Graham ( March 18, 2017 ). `` Republican Del. Jimmie Massie wo n't seek re-election in western Henrico district ''. Richmond Times - Dispatch. Retrieved December 19, 2017. Jump up ^ Pascale, Jordan ( March 1, 2017 ). `` Del. Rick Morris, who faces felony abuse charges, wo n't seek re-election to dedicate more time to family ''. Richmond : The Virginian - Pilot. Retrieved December 19, 2017. Jump up ^ Barakat, Matthew ( November 7, 2017 ). `` Virginia House up for grabs after Democrats ' historic gains ''. The Seattle Times. Fairfax : Associated Press. Retrieved December 19, 2017. Jump up ^ Moomaw, Graham ( November 27, 2017 ). `` State Board of Elections certifies disputed Fredericksburg - area results despite 147 people voting in the wrong House race ''. Richmond Times - Dispatch. Retrieved December 19, 2017. ^ Jump up to : Pascale, Jordan ( December 19, 2017 ). `` Democrat Shelly Simonds wins Virginia House seat by 1 vote, ending GOP 's 18 - year majority ''. The Virginian - Pilot. Retrieved December 19, 2017. ^ Jump up to : Morrison, Jim ; Nirappil, Fenit ( December 20, 2017 ). `` Court tosses out one - vote victory in recount that had briefly ended a Republican majority in Virginia ''. The Washington Post. Retrieved December 20, 2017. ^ Jump up to : Schwartzman, Paul ; Vozzella, Laura ( 2018 - 01 - 10 ). `` Democrat who lost random drawing for Va. House seat concedes to Republican ''. Washington Post. ISSN 0190 - 8286. Retrieved 2018 - 01 - 11. Jump up ^ Morris, Chris ( November 8, 2017 ). `` Boyfriend of Reporter Killed On Air Wins Virginia House Seat ''. Fortune. Retrieved December 19, 2017. Jump up ^ Park, Madison ( November 8, 2017 ). `` Election night brings historic wins for minority and LGBT candidates ''. CNN. Retrieved December 19, 2017. Jump up ^ Moore, Jack ( November 8, 2017 ). `` Why women won big in Va. House of Delegates races ''. Washington : WTOP. Retrieved December 19, 2017. Jump up ^ Nuño, Stephen A. ( November 8, 2017 ). `` First Two Latinas Are Elected to Virginia House of Delegates, Making History ''. NBC News. Retrieved December 19, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Unofficial results : Guzman beats incumbent Scott Lingamfelter in 31st District ''. Fauquier Times. November 7, 2017. Retrieved December 19, 2017. Jump up ^ Austermuhle, Martin ( November 14, 2017 ). `` Meet Lee Carter, The Democratic Socialist Heading To Virginia 's House Of Delegates ''. WAMU. Retrieved December 19, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Dawn Adams is first open lesbian in Virginia House ''. PBS NewsHour. Richmond : Associated Press. November 9, 2017. Retrieved December 19, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Democrat unseats Loupassi by 325 votes ''. Richmond : WWBT. November 9, 2017. Retrieved December 19, 2017. Jump up ^ Bryan, Alix ( November 8, 2017 ). `` The historic firsts that happened as Virginia ' turned blue ' ''. Richmond : WTVR. Retrieved December 19, 2017. Jump up ^ `` 2017 November General ''. results.elections.virginia.gov. Retrieved November 8, 2017. Jump up ^ `` List of Candidates, 2017 November General, Member House Of Delegates '' ( PDF ). Virginia Department of Elections. September 21, 2017. Retrieved October 3, 2017. Jump up ^ How the ' Resistance ' Helped Democrats Dominate Virginia, by Gideon Lewis - Kraus, Nov. 13, 2017, New York Times Jump up ^ `` Republican Tim Hugo survives recount to win in Northern Virginia House district ''. Richmond Times - Dispatch. December 14, 2017. Retrieved December 15, 2017. ^ Jump up to : McCammon, Sarah ( January 4, 2018 ). `` Virginia Republican David Yancey Wins Tie - Breaking Drawing ''. NPR. Retrieved January 4, 2018. Jump up ^ `` Special Election - State House District 097 ''. Commonwealth of Virginia. January 24, 2006. Archived from the original on May 15, 2008. Jump up ^ Bruni, Frank ( November 7, 2017 ). `` The G.O.P. Should Be Scared by Virginia ''. The New York Times. Retrieved December 22, 2017. Jump up ^ Stern, Mark Joseph ( November 8, 2017 ). `` Blue Wave, Meet Red Wall ''. Slate. Retrieved December 22, 2017. Jump up ^ Page, Clarence ( November 10, 2017 ). `` Do n't underestimate the anti-Trump revenge vote ''. Chicago Tribune. Retrieved December 22, 2017. Jump up ^ O'Sullivan, Donie ( November 8, 2017 ). `` Virginia voter suppression tweets went undetected by Twitter for hours ''. CNN. Retrieved December 22, 2017. Jump up ^ Jilani, Zaid ; Fang, Lee ( November 7, 2017 ). `` Virginia Voters Get Mysterious Robocalls That Their Polling Places Have Changed ''. The Intercept. Retrieved December 22, 2017. Jump up ^ `` LDF Files Emergency Lawsuit in Virginia State Court Seeking Relief for Voters on Election Day ''. NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund. November 13, 2017. Retrieved December 19, 2017. Jump up ^ Vozzella, Laura ( November 14, 2017 ). `` Judge throws out lawsuit in key Virginia House race ''. Stafford : The Washington Post. Retrieved December 19, 2017. Jump up ^ Vozzella, Laura ( November 20, 2017 ). `` Va. holds off certifying tight House race amid new claims of ballot mix - ups ''. Richmond : The Washington Post. Retrieved December 19, 2017. Jump up ^ Moomaw, Graham ( November 22, 2017 ). `` Federal judge rejects Va. Democrats ' bid to bar state elections officials from certifying result in House District 28 ''. Richmond Times - Dispatch. Retrieved December 19, 2017. Jump up ^ Smith, Max ( November 28, 2017 ). `` More bad ballots may have been cast in Va ''. Richmond : WTOP. Retrieved December 26, 2017. Jump up ^ Vozzella, Laura ( December 7, 2017 ). `` Democrats ask federal judge for new election in tainted Va. House race ''. Richmond : The Washington Post. Retrieved December 19, 2017. Jump up ^ Smith, Max ( January 2, 2018 ). `` Exclusive : Va. knew of issues with voting in wrong House districts before 2017 election ''. Washington : WTOP. Retrieved January 2, 2018. Jump up ^ Nirappil, Fenit ( November 29, 2017 ). `` With control of Virginia House at stake, Democrats seek recounts in two races ''. The Washington Post. Retrieved December 19, 2017. Jump up ^ Moomaw, Graham ; Cain, Andrew ( December 1, 2017 ). `` Loupassi, who previously conceded to Adams, files for recount in Richmond - area House race ''. The Roanoke Times. Retrieved December 19, 2017. Jump up ^ `` 3rd Democratic House candidate files for recount ''. WTOP. Stafford : Associated Press. December 3, 2017. Retrieved December 19, 2017. Jump up ^ Olivo, Antonio ( December 14, 2017 ). `` Republican delegate prevails after recount in key Va. House race with 100 - vote margin ''. The Washington Post. Retrieved December 19, 2017. Jump up ^ Oliver, Ned ( December 20, 2017 ). `` Recount confirms Democrat Dawn Adams ' victory over Loupassi in Richmond - area House of Delegates seat ''. Richmond Times - Dispatch. Retrieved January 2, 2018. Jump up ^ Smith, Max ( December 21, 2017 ). `` Thomas wins recount in disputed Stafford Co. House race ''. Stafford : WTOP. Retrieved December 25, 2017. Jump up ^ Anapol, Avery ( December 21, 2017 ). `` Virginia election board to pick winner of tied race by random draw ''. The Hill. Retrieved December 21, 2017. Jump up ^ Vozzella, Laura ( December 26, 2017 ). `` Name - drawing in tied Va. House race delayed after Democrat announces court challenge ''. The Washington Post. Retrieved December 26, 2017. Jump up ^ Beavers, Olivia ( December 28, 2017 ). `` Democrat in Virginia : I feel like I won ' fair and square ' ''. The Hill. Retrieved December 28, 2017. Jump up ^ Clark, Dartunorro ( December 29, 2017 ). `` Random - winner drawing in tied Virginia House race back on as politicians trade barbs ''. NBC News. Retrieved December 30, 2017. Jump up ^ Amin, Reema ( December 29, 2017 ). `` In tied 94th race, Yancey files rebuttal to Simonds reversal motions ''. Newport News : Daily Press. Retrieved December 31, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Judges reject Democrat 's request to undo tie in Newport News House district, setting up Thursday tiebreaker ''. Richmond Times - Dispatch. Retrieved 2018 - 01 - 03. Jump up ^ Martz, Michael ( November 8, 2017 ). `` With recounts pending, leaders eye balance of power in House of Delegates ''. The Roanoke Times. Retrieved December 28, 2017. Jump up ^ Moomaw, Graham ( December 9, 2017 ). `` Plum, Toscano face potential speakership showdown ''. The Daily Progress. Richmond : Richmond Times - Dispatch. Retrieved December 30, 2017. Jump up ^ Vozzella, Laura ; Morrison, Jim ( December 27, 2017 ). `` In a House divided, Democrats say Va. GOP is offering perks for speaker votes ''. Richmond : The Washington Post. Retrieved December 28, 2017. Jump up ^ Moomaw, Graham ( January 10, 2018 ). `` Kirk Cox elected speaker of the House on 98 - 0 vote ''. Richmond Times - Dispatch. Retrieved January 15, 2018. ( 2016 ← ) 2017 United States elections ( → 2018 ) U.S. Senate Alabama U.S. House California 's 34th Georgia 's 6th Kansas 's 4th Montana 's at - large South Carolina 's 5th Utah 's 3rd Governors New Jersey Virginia Mayors Albuquerque, NM Atlanta, GA Atlantic City, NJ Birmingham, AL Boston, MA Buffalo, NY Charlotte, NC Cincinnati, OH Cleveland, OH Detroit, MI El Paso, TX Frederick, MD Hoboken, NJ Jackson, MS Jersey City, NJ Los Angeles, CA Miami, FL Minneapolis, MN New Orleans, LA New York, NY North Miami, FL Omaha, NE Pittsburgh, PA Raleigh, NC Rochester, NY St. Louis, MO St. Paul, MN St. Petersburg, FL San Antonio, TX Seattle, WA City Houston, TX Minneapolis, MN State New Jersey Virginia Territories Puerto Rican status referendum Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Virginia_House_of_Delegates_election,_2017&oldid=826058908 '' Categories : Virginia elections, 2017 November 2017 events in the United States Hidden categories : Use mdy dates from November 2017 Pages using deprecated image syntax Pages using bar box without float left or float right Talk Contents About Wikipedia Add links This page was last edited on 16 February 2018, at 23 : 25. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution - ShareAlike License ; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia ® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization. About Wikipedia

Question: who won control of the virginia house of delegates
Answer: Republicans