Former State Lawmaker Defeats Incumbent Senator in Virginia Democrat Primary

Former Virginia State Delegate Lashrecse Aird, right, talks with poll workers as she visits a polling precinct Tuesday, June 20, 2023, in Surry, Va. AP Photo/Steve Helber

Former state lawmaker Lashrecse Aird on Tuesday defeated incumbent Sen. Joe Morrissey (D-Richmond) in a closely-watched Democrat state primary race in Virginia in which a major campaign issue was abortion.

Morrissey, who is pro-life—the only such Democrat in the Virginia state Senate—represents District 16.