Virginia Democrats Hold State Senate Seat, Keep Trifecta Ahead of Spanberger Inauguration

Mike Jones won a special election in a Richmond-area district, preserving Democrats’ Senate majority as they prepare to take full control of the state.

Virginia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger arrives on stage at her election night watch party at the Greater Richmond Convention Center in Richmond, Va., on Nov. 4, 2025. Alex Wong/Getty Images

Virginia Democrats held onto a Richmond-area state Senate seat in a special election this week, preserving their narrow majority in the state’s upper chamber as Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger (D) prepares to take office later this month.

Voters in Virginia’s 15th Senate District elected Democrat Mike Jones on Jan. 6, defeating Republican John Thomas by about 67.8 percent to 32 percent, according to unofficial results from the Virginia Department of Elections. The contest drew roughly 15,409 votes, the department stated.