Virginia witnessed its largest wave election in decades on Tuesday, Nov. 7.
Voter turnout was at an all-time high with a statewide average of over 47%. It’s usually 43% in a non-presidential year.
Virginia Republicans suffered a disastrous evening, losing all three statewide candidates. Gov.-elect Ralph Northam, Lt. Gov.-elect Justin Fairfax, and Attorney General Mark Herring will be sworn into office in January.
Recounts are likely in three House races:
District 28 (formerly held by Speaker Bill Howell), where Republican Bob Thomas leads by 82 votes.
District 40, where incumbent Republican Tim Hugo leads by 106 votes.
District 94, where incumbent Republican David Yancey is only leading by 10 votes.
The recount process will begin after the Thanksgiving holiday, and it will be December before we know the final outcomes. Should the three Republican candidates remain the winners, the House Republican Caucus will retain a slim majority, 51-49.
The state Senate remains a 21-19 Republican majority.
Whatever the outcome of the recounts, there is little doubt that the 2018 General Assembly will be one of the most challenging small businesses have faced in years.
We’ve experienced a very pro-small business environment in the General Assembly. However, the 15 incoming Democratic legislators ran on issues such as increasing to a $15 an hour minimum wage, guaranteed paid leave, and Medicaid expansion. Other possible issues include tax increases and regulations.
NFIB will continue to fight for small businesses, but we need your help in making sure legislators understand the challenges these types of policies will have on your business.
If you’d like to learn more about how to get involved, please contact Virginia State Director, Nicole Riley at 804-377-3661 or [email protected].
