Virginia is holding primaries for nine state Senate seats on Tuesday, kicking off the first leg of an election that could effectively end four years of Democratic control of the state Senate. Republicans are holding seven primaries and hoping to gain a majority in the Senate by winning three more seats. Democrats, who control the Senate with a 22-18 majority, are holding two primaries.
In one of the most hotly contested races in the off-year election, Democrats Jamie Areizaga-Soto and Barbara Favola are battling to replace retiring Democratic Sen. Mary Margaret Whipple in the 31st District, which includes Arlington, Fairfax and a small sliver of Loudoun County.
Meanwhile, four Republicans are competing for a chance to unseat incumbent Democratic Sens. George L. Barker and David W. Marsden in two swing districts that have repeatedly flipped between parties over the years.
A Republican takeover of the Senate would give the GOP complete control of the state government. It would also make Gov. Bob McDonnell’s job much easier, enabling him to pass a swath of conservative policies without too much friction in the legislature. Republicans already control the House of Delegates with 59 of 100 seats.
Despite the possibility of a power shift in the legislature as a result of this election, few voters are expected to turn out for Tuesday’s primaries.
The last time Virginia held a state primary in late summer was in 2001, when only 6 percent of eligible voters showed up, according to the State Board of Elections.
