The 2023 Virginia House of Delegates Elections: A Review

In the off-year elections of 2023 in the state of Virginia, after current Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin’s surprise victory in 2021, the state saw elections for its legislative chambers. The legislative chambers were the only elections on the ballot there, as the governor is elected to a non-consecutive four-year term. 

In the 2023 elections for the Virginia House of Delegates, multiple Youngkin-supported candidates faced off against candidates chosen by Virginia Democrats in one of the most closely watched elections of the 2023 cycle. Before the election was held, Republican had a narrow majority of 52-48 seats that they had earned in 2021, subsequently losing the chamber in 2023 in a narrow Democratic win of 51-49 seats. This article will examine districts decided by 8.00% or less.

Table Results by District and Election Maps

District	Rep Votes	Dem Votes	3rd	Total	RPCT	DCPT
1	0	24,483	0	24,483	0.00%	100.00%
2	0	17,409	0	17,409	0.00%	100.00%
3	0	17,416	3,651	21,067	0.00%	82.67%
4	0	10,843	0	10,843	0.00%	100.00%
5	0	22,359	0	22,359	0.00%	100.00%
6	12,303	20,144	0	32,447	37.92%	62.08%
7	8,199	22,705	0	30,904	26.53%	73.47%
8	7,023	14,851	0	21,874	32.11%	67.89%
9	8,989	14,226	0	23,215	38.72%	61.28%
10	10,547	15,569	0	26,116	40.39%	59.61%
11	6,530	15,863	0	22,393	29.16%	70.84%
12	0	18,550	0	18,550	0.00%	100.00%
13	0	16,778	4,323	21,101	0.00%	79.51%
14	6,056	13,870	0	19,926	30.39%	69.61%
15	11,880	19,394	0	31,274	37.99%	62.01%
16	0	16,985	0	16,985	0.00%	100.00%
17	0	17,931	0	17,931	0.00%	100.00%
18	8,293	15,973	0	24,266	34.18%	65.82%
19	0	9,937	0	9,937	0.00%	100.00%
20	7,422	9,740	0	17,162	43.25%	56.75%
21	12,951	13,926	0	26,877	48.19%	51.81%
22	16,032	14,616	0	30,648	52.31%	47.69%
23	4,733	10,155	0	14,888	31.79%	68.21%
24	0	14,614	0	14,614	0.00%	100.00%
25	8,263	13,404	0	21,667	38.14%	61.86%
26	8,362	13,119	0	21,481	38.93%	61.07%
27	9,758	13,191	0	22,949	42.52%	57.48%
28	11,048	17,583	0	28,631	38.59%	61.41%
29	13,621	18,125	0	31,746	42.91%	57.09%
30	20,741	18,238	0	38,979	53.21%	46.79%
31	16,745	9,745	1,252	27,742	60.36%	35.13%
32	13,320	8,533	0	21,853	60.95%	39.05%
33	21,554	6,139	0	27,693	77.83%	22.17%
34	10,368	7,846	0	18,214	56.92%	43.08%
35	22,104	0	0	22,104	100.00%	0.00%
36	14,154	9,383	0	23,537	60.14%	39.86%
37	18,707	8,259	0	26,966	69.37%	30.63%
38	0	12,632	0	12,632	0.00%	100.00%
39	19,077	0	0	19,077	100.00%	0.00%
40	15,889	10,667	0	26,556	59.83%	40.17%
41	12,529	12,346	0	24,875	50.37%	49.63%
42	18,743	0	0	18,743	100.00%	0.00%
43	19,016	0	3,211	22,227	85.55%	0.00%
44	19,367	0	0	19,367	100.00%	0.00%
45	14,815	0	0	14,815	100.00%	0.00%
46	19,351	0	0	19,351	100.00%	0.00%
47	17,268	5,149	617	23,034	74.97%	22.35%
48	17,891	0	0	17,891	100.00%	0.00%
49	12,434	0	0	12,434	100.00%	0.00%
50	15,580	8,012	0	23,592	66.04%	33.96%
51	18,934	5,545	1,574	26,053	72.67%	21.28%
52	10,574	8,825	0	19,399	54.51%	45.49%
53	20,843	8,586	0	29,429	70.82%	29.18%
54	0	19,852	0	19,852	0.00%	100.00%
55	13,915	22,183	0	36,098	38.55%	61.45%
56	20,968	0	0	20,968	100.00%	0.00%
57	18,198	17,483	0	35,681	51.00%	49.00%
58	15,317	18,367	0	33,684	45.47%	54.53%
59	18,529	13,275	0	31,804	58.26%	41.74%
60	24,395	11,735	0	36,130	67.52%	32.48%
61	20,612	10,952	0	31,564	65.30%	34.70%
62	16,402	10,169	0	26,571	61.73%	38.27%
63	21,645	0	0	21,645	100.00%	0.00%
64	15,326	12,778	0	28,104	54.53%	45.47%
65	13,656	15,406	0	29,062	46.99%	53.01%
66	13,592	10,786	0	24,378	55.76%	44.24%
67	19,303	9,854	629	29,786	64.81%	33.08%
68	27,516	0	0	27,516	100.00%	0.00%
69	23,189	0	0	23,189	100.00%	0.00%
70	9,664	13,836	674	24,174	39.98%	57.24%
71	18,152	17,485	0	35,637	50.94%	49.06%
72	22,684	10,585	0	33,269	68.18%	31.82%
73	19,435	16,216	0	35,651	54.51%	45.49%
74	19,418	0	0	19,418	100.00%	0.00%
75	11,042	9,831	0	20,873	52.90%	47.10%
76	8,185	14,541	0	22,726	36.02%	63.98%
77	0	18,587	0	18,587	0.00%	100.00%
78	0	27,269	0	27,269	0.00%	100.00%
79	0	20,225	0	20,225	0.00%	100.00%
80	0	20,570	0	20,570	0.00%	100.00%
81	0	18,355	0	18,355	0.00%	100.00%
82	14,286	14,208	0	28,494	50.14%	49.86%
83	18,811	13,361	0	32,172	58.47%	41.53%
84	14,046	15,899	0	29,945	46.91%	53.09%
85	0	12,335	0	12,335	0.00%	100.00%
86	14,362	11,083	0	25,445	56.44%	43.56%
87	4,234	14,847	0	19,081	22.19%	77.81%
88	6,145	12,240	0	18,385	33.42%	66.58%
89	14,739	14,218	0	28,957	50.90%	49.10%
90	17,131	10,000	0	27,131	63.14%	36.86%
91	5,547	13,310	0	18,857	29.42%	70.58%
92	3,313	11,807	0	15,120	21.91%	78.09%
93	3,911	12,460	0	16,371	23.89%	76.11%
94	6,481	8,187	0	14,668	44.18%	55.82%
95	0	12,637	0	12,637	0.00%	100.00%
96	8,749	11,723	0	20,472	42.74%	57.26%
97	11,555	12,734	0	24,289	47.57%	52.43%
98	17,426	0	0	17,426	100.00%	0.00%
99	15,126	11,253	0	26,379	57.34%	42.66%
100	15,685	10,581	0	26,266	59.72%	40.28%
Total	1,144,704	1,186,887	15,931	2,347,522	48.76%	50.56%
Margin		D +42,183		D +1.80%

Virginia State House District 21

The 21^st State House district of Virginia is located on the outskirts of the Northern Virginia region and is a strongly Democratic leaning district, as it is a district Biden heavily won in 2020. The district is entirely composed of a portion of Prince William County. However, it has been more open to voting for Republicans down ballot in off-year elections, as the 2021 election saw a remarkably close race for the district.

In the 2023 primaries for the 21^st House District of Virginia, the Democratic incumbent retired rather than attempt to seek re-election after the redistricting process was completed. Democratic nominee Josh Thomas ran unopposed in that party primary, while Republican John Stirrup placed first with 2,881 votes (65.06%) in the Republican primary, with the runner-up, Josh Quill, earning 1,547 votes (34.94%). Both Thomas and Stirrup advanced to the general election in November.

21^st District Election Data (In November Election)

County	Stirrup	Stirrup %	Thomas	Thomas %	3rd	Total
Prince William	12,951	48.10%	13,926	51.72%	50	26,927
Total	12,951	48.10%	13,926	51.72%	50	26,927
Margin			D +975	D +3.62%

In the general election, Thomas won the district 13,926 – 12,951 votes (51.72-48.10%) against Stirrup, with a margin of 975 votes (3.62%). This district will be a Republican target in the 2025 elections, when the Virginia State House is next up for election.

Virginia State House District 22

The 22^nd State House District of Virginia is located on the outskirts of Northern Virginia, to the south of the 21^st District, and is a competitive district, was won by President Joe Biden in his 2020 election victory, but is more open to voting for Republicans down-ballot. The district was host to an open election in 2023 after redistricting. The district is composed entirely of a portion of Prince William County.

In the primary elections for the district, Republican candidate Ian Lovejoy and Democratic candidate Travis Nembhard ran unopposed in their respective primaries, advancing to the general election automatically. Both candidates faced off in a highly competitive November election.

22^nd District Election Data (In November Election)

County	Lovejoy	Lovejoy %	Nembhard	Nembhard %	3rd	Total
Prince William	16,032	52.19%	14,616	47.58%	70	30,718
Total	16,032	52.19%	14,616	47.58%	70	30,718
Margin	R +1,416	R +4.61%

In the general election, Lovejoy defeated Nembhard 16,032 – 14,616 votes (52.19-47.58%) in the district, running ahead of former President Trump’s share of the vote. He finished with an overall margin of 1,416 votes (4.61%). This will be another closely fought district in 2025.

Virginia State House District 30

The 30^th State House District of Virginia is in the upper middle portion of Northern Virginia and is composed of parts of Fauquier and Loudoun counties. It is a district that President Biden narrowly won in 2020 but is moderately more Republican down-ballot. The Republican incumbent, Dave LaRock entered the race for the 1^st State Senate District of Virginia, so this seat was host to an open election.

In the primary elections for the 30^th State House District, Republican Geary Higgins and Democrat Robert Banse ran unopposed in their respective primaries, advancing to the general election in November.

30^th District Election Data (In November Election)

County	Higgins	Higgins %	Banse	Banse %	3rd	Total
Fauquier	2,603	55.64%	2,072	44.29%	3	4,678
Loudoun	18,138	52.78%	16,166	47.04%	63	34,367
Total	20,741	53.12%	18,238	46.71%	66	39,045
Margin	R +2,503	R +6.41%

In the general election, Geary Higgins won both counties in the district by a combined 20,741 – 18,238 votes (53.12 – 46.71%), winning with a margin of 2,503 votes (6.41%). This seat will be competitive in 2025.

Virginia State House District 41

The 41^st State House District of Virginia is comprised of portions of Montgomery and Roanoke counties and is a battleground district as it was narrowly won by former President Trump in his re-election bid. In 2023, the seat was host to an open election as there was no incumbent running.

In the primary elections for the 41^st House of Delegates seat, Republican Chris Obenshain emerged victorious from a hard-fought Republican convention with 294 votes (58.00%) while the other Republican candidate in the election, Lowell Bowman, won 213 votes (42.00%). Lily Franklin, the Democratic nominee, did not face primary opposition and Obenshain and Franklin advanced to the general election in November.

41^st District Election Data (In November Election)

County/City	Obershain	Obershain %	Franklin	Franklin %	3rd	Total
Montgomery	7,780	43.65%	10,022	56.22%	23	17,825
Roanoke	4,749	67.09%	2,324	32.83%	6	7,079
Total	12,529	50.31%	12,346	49.57%	29	24,904
Margin	R +183	R +0.74%

In the general election, Obershain won an extremely narrow victory by limiting Franklin’s margins in Montgomery County (Franklin won 10,022 – 7,780 votes), while winning Roanoke County (Obershain won it 4,749 – 2,324 votes). When the results were tallied, Obershain’s margin in Roanoke had led to a 12,529 – 12,346 vote (50.31% -49.57%) victory in the district, allowing Obershain to win by a razor thin margin of 183 votes (or by 0.74%).

Virginia State House District 57

The 57^th State House District of Virginia is made up of portions of Goochland and Henrico Counties, and was a district that President Biden won in 2020 by a larger margin than some of the other battleground districts covered in this article. The district was host to an open seat election.

In the primary elections, the only Republican to file in the Republican primary, David Owen, did not face any primary opposition, so Owen advanced the general election. In the Democratic primary, Susanna Gibson won first place with 3,181 votes (55.27%), while the runner up, Bob Shippee, secured 2,574 votes (44.73%). The Democratic nominee was tarred by an online sexual scandal involving both her husband and her heading into the general election, which was thought to be a blow to her electoral chances. Elections Daily’s rating for this election was Lean Republican.

57^th District Election Data (In November Election)

County	Owen	Owen %	Gibson	Gibson %	3rd	Total
Goochland	3,802	65.96%	1,945	33.74%	17	5,764
Henrico	14,396	47.86%	15,538	51.65%	148	30,082
Total	18,198	50.77%	17,483	48.77%	165	35,846
Margin	R +715	R +2.00%

In the general election, Owen won Goochland by 65.96% – 33.74% and held Gibson to a 51.65% -47.86% victory in Henrico County (which constitutes the population base of the district), which allowed Owen to win the district 18,198 – 17,483 votes (50.77% – 48.77%), with a margin of 715 votes (2.00%).

Virginia State House District 65

The 65^th State House District of Virginia is composed of parts of Spotsylvania and Stafford Counties, while including the city of Fredericksburg. The district was won by President Biden in 2020 and is slightly to moderately Democratic leaning in most election years. The Republican incumbent, Tara Durant, chose not to run for re-election and instead ran for State Senate, so this district saw an open seat race.

In the primary elections for the 65^th State House District, Joshua Cole ran unopposed in the Democratic primary, while Republican candidate Lee Peters won that respective primary with 4,470 votes (78.93%). Michael Kasey placed second in the primary with 1,193 votes (21.07%). Both Cole and Peters advanced to the November election.,

65^th District Election Data (In November Election)

County/City	Peters	Peters %	Cole	Cole %	3rd	Total
Spotsylvania	1,938	50.87%	1,866	48.98%	6	3,810
Stafford	8,847	52.34%	7,993	47.29%	62	16,902
Fredericksburg City	2,871	34.01%	5,547	65.71%	24	8,442
Total	13,656	46.84%	15,406	52.84%	92	29,154
Margin			D +1,750	D +6.00%

In the general election, Peters won both Spotsylvania and Stafford Counties by a combined margin of 10,785 – 9,859 votes, amounting to a 926-vote advantage. However, Cole won Fredericksburg City by 2,676 votes, allowing Cole to win the district 15,406 – 13,656 votes (52.84% – 46.84%), or by a margin of 1,750 votes (6.00%).

Virginia State House District 71

The 71^st State House District of Virginia is comprised of parts of James City and New Kent Counties, as well as the entirety of the city of Williamsburg. The district is a slightly Democratic leaning battleground district, as the 2020 presidential election results would suggest. The Republican incumbent, Amanda Batten, ran for re-election.

Both Batten and the Democratic nominee, Jessica Anderson, ran unopposed in their respective primaries, advancing to the general election. Elections Daily ranked this race as Likely Republican, signifying that Republicans had a sizable advantage in the district in the general.

71^st District Election Data (In November Election)

County/City	Batten	Batten %	Anderson	Anderson %	3rd	Total
James City	13,316	51.95%	12,308	48.01%	10	25,634
New Kent	3,271	67.61%	1,558	32.20%	9	4,838
Williamsburg City	1,565	30.17%	3,619	69.77%	3	5,187
Total	18,152	50.90%	17,485	49.03%	22	35,659
Margin	R +667	R +1.87%

In the general election, Batten won both James City and New Kent Counties by a combined margin of 16,587 – 13,866 votes, providing Batten with a net margin of 2,721 votes, which was enough to overpower Anderson’s win in Williamsburg City of 2,054 votes, allowing Batten to win the district 18,152 – 17,485 votes (50.90% – 49.03%), or with an overall margin of 667 votes (1.87%).

Virginia State House District 75

The 75^th State House District of Virginia is composed of parts of Chesterfield and Prince George Counties, as well the entirety of Hopewell city. The district is a marginal battleground district won by President Biden in his 2020 presidential bid. The Republican incumbent, Carrie Coyner, ran for re-election in the 2023 elections.

Both Coyner and the Democratic nominee, Stephen Miller-Pitts, ran unopposed in their respective primaries, so both advanced to the general election held in November. Elections Daily rated this district as one with a Likely Republican advantage.

75^th District Election Data (In November Election)

County/City	Coyner	Coyner %	Miller-Pitts	Miller-Pitts %	3rd	Total
Chesterfield	7,545	55.19%	6,088	44.53%	38	13,671
Prince George	1,231	46.02%	1,441	53.87%	3	2,675
Hopewell City	2,266	49.43%	2,302	50.22%	16	4,584
Total	11,042	52.76%	9,831	46.97%	57	20,930
Margin	R +1,211	R +5.79%

In the general election, Miller-Pitts won Prince George County and Hopewell City by a combined 3,743 – 3,497 votes, netting a margin of 246 votes from those two counties. However, Coyner won the population center of the district, Chesterfield County, 7,545 – 6,088 votes, netting a margin of 1,457 votes, which was enough to overpower Miller-Pitt’s edge in the other two counties, allowing Coyner to win the district 11,042 – 9,831 votes (52.76 – 46.97%), with a margin of 1,211 votes (5.79%).

Virginia State House District 82

The 82^nd State House District of Virginia contains parts of Dinwiddie, Prince George, and all of Surry County, as well as the entire city of Petersburg. Based on the 2020 Presidential election results, Biden would have won the district. The Republican incumbent, Kim Taylor, ran for re-election in 2023.

In the Republican primary, Taylor ran unopposed, while in the Democratic primary, Kimberly Pope Adams won the nomination with 5,199 votes (60.69%). Victor McKenzie placed second with 3,368 votes (39.31%). Both Taylor and Adams advanced to the general election in November, which Elections Daily rated as Lean Republican.

82^nd District Election Data (In November Election)

County/City	Taylor	Taylor %	Adams	Adams %	3rd	Total
Dinwiddie	5,802	62.58%	3,447	37.18%	22	9,271
Prince George	5,782	69.38%	2,541	30.49%	11	8,334
Surry	1,701	50.21%	1,683	49.68%	4	3,388
Petersburg City	1,001	13.26%	6,537	86.59%	11	7,549
Total	14,286	50.05%	14,208	49.78%	48	28,542
Margin	R +78	R +0.27%

In the general election, Taylor won Dinwiddie, Prince George, and Surry counties by a combined 13,285 – 7,671 votes, providing Taylor a net margin of 5,614 votes. Adams won Petersburg City by 6,537 – 1,001 votes, which netted a margin of 5,536 votes. Taylor narrowly won the district 14,286 – 14,208 votes (50.05% – 49.78%), with a margin of seventy-eight votes (0.27%).

Virginia State House District 84

The 84^th State House District of Virginia is composed of Isle of Wight County, with part of Suffolk City and the entirety of Franklin City rounding out the remainder of the district boundaries. The district was won by President Biden in 2020 by a significant margin. As a result of redistricting, Republican incumbent Emily Brewer (who chose to seek election to the State Senate), and Democratic incumbent Nadarius Clark were put together in the same district. Clark ran for re-election to the 84^th district in 2023.

In the Democratic primary, Nadarius Clark won the nomination with 4,176 votes (81.72%), while Michele Joyce finished second with 934 votes (18.28%). In the Republican primary, Michael Dillender won the Republican nomination with 3,741 votes (67.33%), while Rod Thompson places second with 1,815 votes (32.67%). Both Clark and Dillender advanced to the general election in November.

84^th District Election Data (In November Election)

County/City	Dillender	Dillender %	Clark	Clark %	3rd	Total
Isle of Wight	2,970	68.06%	1,389	31.83%	5	4,364
Chesapeake City	13	12.50%	90	86.54%	1	104
Franklin City	1,095	42.82%	1,457	56.98%	5	2,557
Suffolk City	9,968	43.38%	12,963	56.41%	47	22,978
Total	14,046	46.82%	15,899	52.99%	58	30,003
Margin			D +1,853	D +6.17%

In the general election, Dillender won Isle of Wight County 2,970 – 1,389 votes, netting a margin of 1,581 votes, but Clark won the three cities in the district by a combined 14,510 – 11,076 votes, which allowed a net margin of 3,434 votes. Because of the margin in the three cities, Clark carried the district 15,899 – 14,046 votes (52.99% – 46.82%), with a margin of 1,853 votes (6.17%).

Virginia State House District 89

The 89^th State House District of Virginia is composed of parts of Chesapeake and Suffolk Cities and is a battleground house district, as President Biden would have won the district by a narrow margin in 2020. The Democratic incumbent, Clint Jenkins, instead opted to run for State Senate, leaving the district open.

In the Democratic primary, Karen Jenkins, ran unopposed, while the Republican firehouse primary nominated Baxter Ennis with 814 votes in the second round. Don Carey finished second in the firehouse primary with 594 votes, while Jason Wooldridge was eliminated after the first round. Both Jenkins and Ennis advanced to the general election, where Elections Daily rated the race as having a Leans Republican tilt.

89^th District Election Data (In November Election)

County/City	Ennis	Ennis %	Jenkins	Jenkins %	3rd	Total
Chesapeake City	10,117	51.07%	9,645	48.69%	48	19,810
Suffolk City	4,622	50.11%	4,573	49.58%	29	9,224
Total	14,739	50.76%	14,218	48.97%	77	29,034
Margin	R +521	R +1.79%

In the general election, Ennis won both cities in the district, allowing Ennis to earn a 14,739 – 14,218 vote (50.76% – 48.97%) victory district-wide, with a winning margin of 521 votes (1.79%).

Virginia State House District 97

The 97^th State House District of Virginia is entirely composed of parts of Virginia Beach, and is a moderately Biden won district in 2020. The Republican incumbent, Karen Greenhalgh, ran for re-election in 2023.

Both Greenhalgh and Michael Feggans (the Democratic nominee), advanced unopposed from their respective primaries to the general election.

97^th District Election Data (In November Election)

County	Greenhalgh	Greenhalgh %	Feggans	Feggans %	3rd	Total
Virginia Beach City	11,555	47.52%	12,734	52.37%	28	24,317
Total	11,555	47.52%	12,734	52.37%	28	24,317
Margin			D +1,179	D +4.85%

In the general election, Feggans won the only part of the district, enabling a 12,734 – 11,555 vote victory (52.37% – 47.52%), with a margin of 1,179 votes (4.85%).