Blowout GOP landslide in Virginia special election rattles Gov. Spanberger & Democrats | Eastern NC Now

Virginia Republicans spectacularly overperformed in a special election for a seat in the Virginia legislature, suggesting a backlash to new Governor Spanberger's stampede to the far left, along with her party's legislators.  The seat in the 98th House district was vacant due to the death of its Republican incumbent.  Democrats usually turn out heavier for special elections, closing the gap to some degree from the general election.

Against a backdrop of Gov. Spanberger making Virginia a sanctuary state for illegal alien criminals, pushing for rigid gun control, raising taxes, and attempting a congressional gerrymander that would limit the GOP to a single congressional seat in the entire state, however, it was a different ball game.  Instead of a tighter race as would normally be expected, GOP nominee Andrew Rice beat his Democrat opponent by a whopping and unexpected 28 points.   That was an overperformance compared to a normal election year of 14 points.  Indeed, in the presidential race, Trump won it by 14 points within the district.

This has rattled Virginia Democrats, especially on their intended referendum on the congressional gerrymander.  They campaigned as moderates in the last election, but went hard left upon taking office, and Virginia voters appear to have woken up and are not happy.

https://redstate.com/terichristoph/2026/03/18/big-gop-win-in-virginia-is-bad-news-for-democrats-n2200339