The “red wave” of conservative victories across the country continued this week with Republicans scoring another state House seat in Virginia, solidly netting the GOP a firm majority and effectively splitting the state legislature.
On Friday, a panel of three judges overseeing a recount in a tight state House political race reaffirmed the victory of a Republican candidate, Karen Greenhalgh, in Virginia Beach, the Associated Press reported.
Following the House of Delegates race in November, Democrats previously requested two recounts of races with extremely tight margins. The Virginia Beach House race was one of the two recounts. The second recount will reportedly occur next week.
In November, Democrats in the House of Delegates in Virginia conceded the majority to Republicans after conservative voters foisted Republican candidates to victory in the gubernatorial race with Glenn Youngkin and the House of Delegates races. Republicans managed to flip six House seats, barely squeezing out the Democrat majority and kicking off what many are calling not just a “red wave,” but a “red tsunami,” as the 2022 midterms creep closer.
According to the Associated Press and the official certified results, House Republicans netted victories in 52 counties from the Nov. 2 election. House Speaker-designee Todd Gilbert released an official statement after the results were announced:
“The recount has reaffirmed what Election Day and canvass already told us — that Karen Greenhalgh is the Delegate-elect from the 85th district, and Republicans will retake the majority in the House of Delegates. With only one recount outstanding, House Republicans are excited to begin working for the people of Virginia. Now that the majority is official, we can move forward with a timely transition as to be prepared to work on day one. January 12th will be here before we know it and Virginians expect us to be ready.”
This affirmation of another Republican victory in Virginia solidifies the GOP’s return to power in the Old Dominion state and bodes well for Republican candidates across the country who are gearing up to face Democrat opponents in the rapidly-approaching 2022 midterms.
