# Virginia's 21st Senate district

Virginia's 21st Senate district is one of 40 districts in the Senate of Virginia. It has been represented by Democrat John S. Edwards since 1996. Although it voted for Joe Biden, it is currently the most Republican-leaning district to be represented by a Democrat.

## Geography

District 21 comprises the most Democratic-leaning parts of Southwest Virginia, including all of the City of Roanoke and Giles County, as well as part of Montgomery County (where Blacksburg is located) and a small sliver of Roanoke County.
The district overlaps with Virginia's 6th and 9th congressional districts, and with the 7th, 8th, 11th, 12th, and 17th districts of the Virginia House of Delegates. It borders the state of West Virginia.

## Recent election results
### 2019

2019 Virginia Senate election, District 21 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | John S. Edwards (incumbent) | 26,877 | 65.5 |
| | Independent | Steven Nelson | 13,882 | 33.8 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 41,046 | 100 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### 2015

2015 Virginia Senate election, District 21 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | John S. Edwards (incumbent) | 20,881 | 50.9 |
| | Republican | Nancy Dye | 17,438 | 42.5 |
| | Independent | Donald Caldwell | 2,626 | 6.4 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 40,987 | 100 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### 2011

2011 Virginia Senate election, District 21 :
| Primary election |||||
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | David Nutter | 1,854 | 66.3 |
| | Republican | Everett Carl Tripp Godsey, III | 944 | 33.7 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 2,798 | 100 |
| General election |||||
| | Democratic | John S. Edwards (incumbent) | 21,259 | 55.9 |
| | Republican | David Nutter | 16,728 | 44.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 38,037 | 100 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### Federal and statewide results

| Year | Office | Results |
| 2020 | President | Biden 54.6–43.6% |
| 2017 | Governor | Northam 56.1–42.3% |
| 2016 | President | Clinton 50.7–42.9% |
| 2014 | Senate | Warner 54.2–42.1% |
| 2013 | Governor | McAuliffe 49.1–40.9% |
| 2012 | President | Obama 54.0–43.6% |
| 2012 | Senate | Kaine 56.9–43.1% |

## Historical results

All election results below took place prior to 2011 redistricting, and thus were under different district lines.

### 2007

2007 Virginia Senate election, District 21 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | John S. Edwards (incumbent) | 22,282 | 98.2 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 22,698 | 100 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### 2003

2003 Virginia Senate election, District 21 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | John S. Edwards (incumbent) | 21,349 | 99.9 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 21,367 | 100 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### 1999

1999 Virginia Senate election, District 21 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | John S. Edwards (incumbent) | 23,091 | 58.9 |
| | Republican | William Fralin | 16,133 | 41.1 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 39,228 | 100 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### 1995

1995 Virginia Senate election, District 21 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | John S. Edwards | 23,956 | 54.6 |
| | Republican | Brandon Bell (incumbent) | 19,946 | 45.4 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 43,909 | 100 |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |