2015 Virginia House of Delegates election

The Virginia House of Delegates election of 2015 was held on Tuesday, November 3. All 100 seats of the Virginia House of Delegates were on the ballot. While Republicans maintained an enormous edge against Democrats in the chamber, their net loss of one seat cost them their previously held veto-proof majority against Governor Terry McAuliffe.[2]

2015 Virginia House of Delegates elections

← 2013 November 3, 2015 2017 →

All 100 seats in the Virginia House of Delegates
51 seats needed for a majority
Turnout29.1% Decrease 13.9[1]
  Majority party Minority party
 
Leader Bill Howell David Toscano
Party Republican Democratic
Leader since January 8, 2003 November 19, 2011
Leader's seat 28th 57th
Last election 67 33
Seats won 66 34
Seat change Decrease 1 Increase 1
Popular vote 798,868 451,865
Percentage 60.8% 34.4%
Swing Increase 7.0% Decrease 6.0%

Results:
     Republican hold      Republican gain
     Democratic hold      Democratic gain

Speaker before election

Bill Howell
Republican

Elected Speaker

Bill Howell
Republican

Background

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The filing deadline for Republicans and Democrats to participate in the June 9 primaries was March 26.[3] Incumbents Mamye BaCote, Ed Scott, Tom Rust, Rob Krupicka, and David Ramadan announced their intent to retire from the House. Joseph E. Preston, Michael Futrell, and Scott Surovell chose to run for the 16th, 29th, and 36th district senate seats, respectively, rather than seek reelection. Freshman delegate and Tea Party activist Mark Berg was defeated in the Republican primary by Chris Collins, and twenty-year incumbent Johnny Joannou was defeated by Steve Heretick in the Democratic primary.[4] Races were uncontested in sixty-two districts, and there was only one major party candidate on the ballot in seventy-one districts.[5][6]

In October, a three-judge panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit upheld the boundaries of twelve House districts in a Democratic Party-supported lawsuit alleging racial gerrymandering.[7]

Delegates not running for re-election

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Delegate Seat First elected Party Date announced Ref.
Mamye BaCote 95th district 2003 Democratic January 15, 2015 [8]
Michael Futrell 2nd district 2013 Democratic December 3, 2014 [9]
Rob Krupicka 45th district 2012 Democratic March 16, 2015 [10]
Joseph E. Preston 63rd district 2015 Democratic March 12, 2015 [11]
David Ramadan 87th district 2011 Republican April 15, 2015 [12]
Tom Rust 86th district 2001 Republican February 25, 2015 [13]
Ed Scott 30th district 2003 Republican February 3, 2015 [14]
Scott Surovell 44th district 2009 Democratic January 18, 2015 [15]

Results

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Democrats picked up two seats, with Jennifer Boysko and John Bell being elected to succeed the retiring Tom Rust and David Ramadan. Mark Dudenhefer gave the Republicans a single pickup when he won back the seat he lost two years earlier to Michael Futrell. For the first time since the Virginia Public Access Project started tracking state elections in 1995, every single incumbent running for reelection was successful.[16]

Overall

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66 34
Republican Democratic

Seats, of total, by party

  Republican (66%)
  Democratic (34%)

Votes, of total, by party

  Republican (60.79%)
  Democratic (34.38%)
  Other (4.83%)
Party Leader Delegates Votes
Of total ± Of total ±
Republican Party William J. Howell 66 66%
66 / 100
 1 798,868 60.79%
Democratic Party David Toscano 34 34%
34 / 100
 1 451,865 34.38%
Other parties
Independent / Other N/A 0 0%
0 / 100
  47,574 3.62%
Independent Green Party N/A 0 0%
0 / 100
  8,576 0.65%
Libertarian Party N/A 0 0%
0 / 100
  4,996 0.38%
Green Party N/A 0 0%
0 / 100
  2,367 0.18%
Vote share
Republican
60.79%
Democratic
34.38%
Others
4.83%
House of Delegates seats
Republican
66%
Democratic
34%

By district

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District Incumbent This race
Number Delegate Party First
elected
Winner[17] Candidates[5]
1 Terry Kilgore Republican 1993 Terry Kilgore (R) Terry Kilgore (R) unopposed
2 Michael Futrell Democratic 2013 Mark Dudenhefer (D)
Republican gain.
Mark Dudenhefer (R) 50.4%
Joshua King (D) 49.4%
3 Will Morefield Republican 2009 Will Morefield (R) Will Morefield (R) unopposed
4 Todd Pillion Republican 2014 Todd Pillion (R) Todd Pillion (R) unopposed
5 Israel O'Quinn Republican 2011 Israel O'Quinn (R) Israel O'Quinn (R) unopposed
6 Jeff Campbell Republican 2013 Jeff Campbell (R) Jeff Campbell (R) unopposed
7 Nick Rush Republican 2011 Nick Rush (R) Nick Rush (R) unopposed
8 Greg Habeeb Republican 2011 Greg Habeeb (R) Greg Habeeb (R) unopposed
9 Charles Poindexter Republican 2007 Charles Poindexter (R) Charles Poindexter (R) unopposed
10 Randy Minchew Republican 2011 Randy Minchew (R) Randy Minchew (R) 62.0%
Peter Rush (D) 37.8%
11 Sam Rasoul Democratic 2014 Sam Rasoul (D) Sam Rasoul (D) unopposed
12 Joseph R. Yost Republican 2011 Joseph R. Yost (R) Joseph R. Yost (R) 58.3%
Laurie Buchwald (D) 41.6%
13 Bob Marshall Republican 1991 Bob Marshall (R) Bob Marshall (R) 56.1%
Don Shaw (D) 43.7%
14 Danny Marshall Republican 2001 Danny Marshall (R) Danny Marshall (R) unopposed
15 Todd Gilbert Republican 2005 Todd Gilbert (R) Todd Gilbert (R) unopposed
16 Les Adams Republican 2013 Les Adams (R) Les Adams (R) unopposed
17 Chris Head Republican 2011 Chris Head (R) Chris Head (R) unopposed
18 Michael Webert Republican 2011 Michael Webert (R) Michael Webert (R) unopposed
19 Terry Austin Republican 2013 Terry Austin (R) Terry Austin (R) unopposed
20 Richard Bell Republican 2009 Richard Bell (R) Richard Bell (R) 75.2%
Will Hammer (L) 23.9%
21 Ron Villanueva Republican 2009 Ron Villanueva (R) Ron Villanueva (R) 56.7%
Susan Hippen (D) 43.0%
22 Kathy Byron Republican 1997 Kathy Byron (R) Kathy Byron (R) unopposed
23 Scott Garrett Republican 2009 Scott Garrett (R) Scott Garrett (R) unopposed
24 Benjamin L. Cline Republican 2002 Benjamin L. Cline (R) Benjamin L. Cline (R) 70.9%
Ellen Arthur (D) 29.0%
25 Steve Landes Republican 1995 Steve Landes (R) Steve Landes (R) 66.2%
Angela Lynn (D) 33.7%
26 Tony Wilt Republican 2010 Tony Wilt (R) Tony Wilt (R) unopposed
27 Roxann Robinson Republican 2010 Roxann Robinson (R) Roxann Robinson (R) 58.5%
Marty Mooradian (D) 41.4%
28 Bill Howell Republican 1987 Bill Howell (R) Bill Howell (R) 60.3%
Kandy Hilliard (D) 39.4%
29 Mark Berg Republican 2013 Chris Collins (R)
Republican hold.
Chris Collins (R) unopposed
30 Ed Scott Republican 2003 Nicholas Freitas (R)
Republican hold.
Nicholas Freitas (R) unopposed
31 Scott Lingamfelter Republican 2001 Scott Lingamfelter (R) Scott Lingamfelter (R) 53.4%
Sara Townsend (D) 46.5%
32 Tag Greason Republican 2009 Tag Greason (R) Tag Greason (R) 53.1%
Elizabeth Miller (D) 46.9%
33 Dave LaRock Republican 2013 Dave LaRock (R) Dave LaRock (R) 59.9%
Chuck Hedges (D) 36.4%
Mark Anderson (L) 3.6%
34 Kathleen Murphy Democratic 2015 Kathleen Murphy (D) Kathleen Murphy (D) 50.4%
Craig Parisot (R) 49.5%
35 Mark Keam Democratic 2009 Mark Keam (D) Mark Keam (D) unopposed
36 Ken Plum Democratic 1981
(1978–1980)
Ken Plum (D) Ken Plum (D) unopposed
37 David Bulova Democratic 2005 David Bulova (D) David Bulova (D) 57.3%
Sang Yi (R) 42.6%
38 Kaye Kory Democratic 2009 Kaye Kory (D) Kaye Kory (D) 73.8%
James Leslie (G) 25.1%
39 Vivian Watts Democratic 1995 Vivian Watts (D) Vivian Watts (D) unopposed
40 Tim Hugo Republican 2002 Tim Hugo (R) Tim Hugo (R) 65.2%
Jerry Foltz (D) 34.7%
41 Eileen Filler-Corn Democratic 2010 Eileen Filler-Corn (D) Eileen Filler-Corn (D) unopposed
42 Dave Albo Republican 1993 Dave Albo (R) Dave Albo (R) 63.4%
Joana Garcia (D) 36.5%
43 Mark Sickles Democratic 2003 Mark Sickles (D) Mark Sickles (D) 63.3%
Anna Urman (R) 33.4%
Paul McIlvaine (I) 3.3%
44 Scott Surovell Democratic 2009 Paul Krizek (D)
Democratic hold.
Paul Krizek (D) unopposed
45 Rob Krupicka Democratic 2012 Mark Levine (D)
Democratic hold.
Mark Levine (D) unopposed
46 Charniele Herring Democratic 2009 Charniele Herring (D) Charniele Herring (D) 67.0%
Sean Lenehan (R) 28.3%
Andy Bakker (L) 4.5%
47 Patrick Hope Democratic 2009 Patrick Hope (D) Patrick Hope (D) 77.4%
Janet Murphy (I) 21.8%
48 Rip Sullivan Democratic 2014 Rip Sullivan (D) Rip Sullivan (D) unopposed
49 Alfonso Lopez Democratic 2011 Alfonso Lopez (D) Alfonso Lopez (D) unopposed
50 Jackson Miller Republican 2006 Jackson Miller (R) Jackson Miller (R) 58.7%
Kyle McCullough (D) 41.2%
51 Rich Anderson Republican 2009 Rich Anderson (R) Rich Anderson (R) unopposed
52 Luke Torian Democratic 2009 Luke Torian (D) Luke Torian (D) unopposed
53 Marcus Simon Democratic 2013 Marcus Simon (D) Marcus Simon (D) unopposed
54 Bobby Orrock Republican 1989 Bobby Orrock (R) Bobby Orrock (R) unopposed
55 Buddy Fowler Republican 2013 Buddy Fowler (R) Buddy Fowler (R) 60.3%
Toni Radler (D) 39.5%
56 Peter Farrell Republican 2011 Peter Farrell (R) Peter Farrell (R) unopposed
57 David Toscano Democratic 2005 David Toscano (D) David Toscano (D) unopposed
58 Rob Bell Republican 2001 Rob Bell (R) Rob Bell (R) unopposed
59 Matt Fariss Republican 2011 Matt Fariss (R) Matt Fariss (R) unopposed
60 James E. Edmunds Republican 2009 James E. Edmunds (R) James E. Edmunds (R) unopposed
61 Tommy Wright Republican 2000 Tommy Wright (R) Tommy Wright (R) 71.3%
Greg Marston (D) 28.6%
62 Riley Ingram Republican 1991 Riley Ingram (R) Riley Ingram (R) 59.5%
Sheila Bynum-Coleman (D) 40.4%
63 Joseph E. Preston Democratic 2015 Lashrecse Aird (D)
Democratic hold.
Lashrecse Aird (D) unopposed
64 Rick Morris Republican 2011 Rick Morris (R) Rick Morris (R) unopposed
65 Lee Ware Republican 1998 Lee Ware (R) Lee Ware (R) unopposed
66 Kirk Cox Republican 1989 Kirk Cox (R) Kirk Cox (R) unopposed
67 James LeMunyon Republican 2009 James LeMunyon (R) James LeMunyon (R) unopposed
68 Manoli Loupassi Republican 2007 Manoli Loupassi (R) Manoli Loupassi (R) 61.3%
Bill Grogan (D) 36.7%
Michael Dickinson (I) 1.9%
69 Betsy B. Carr Democratic 2009 Betsy B. Carr (D) Betsy B. Carr (D) unopposed
70 Delores McQuinn Democratic 2008 Delores McQuinn (D) Delores McQuinn (D) unopposed
71 Jennifer McClellan Democratic 2005 Jennifer McClellan (D) Jennifer McClellan (D) 88.3%
Steve Imholt (I) 11.1%
72 Jimmie Massie Republican 2007 Jimmie Massie (R) Jimmie Massie (R) unopposed
73 John O'Bannon Republican 2000 John O'Bannon (R) John O'Bannon (R) unopposed
74 Lamont Bagby Democratic 2015 Lamont Bagby (D) Lamont Bagby (D) 77.9%
David Lambert (I) 21.1%
75 Roslyn Tyler Democratic 2005 Roslyn Tyler (D) Roslyn Tyler (D) unopposed
76 Chris Jones Republican 1997 Chris Jones (R) Chris Jones (R) unopposed
77 Lionell Spruill Democratic 1993 Lionell Spruill (D) Lionell Spruill (D) unopposed
78 Jay Leftwich Republican 2013 Jay Leftwich (R) Jay Leftwich (R) unopposed
79 Johnny Joannou Democratic 1997
(1976–1984)
Steve Heretick (D)
Democratic hold.
Steve Heretick (D) unopposed
80 Matthew James Democratic 2009 Matthew James (D) Matthew James (D) unopposed
81 Barry Knight Republican 2008 Barry Knight (R) Barry Knight (R) 69.1%
Jeff Staples (G) 30.1%
82 Bill DeSteph Republican 2013 Jason Miyares (R)
Republican hold.
Jason Miyares (R) 65.2%
Bill Fleming (D) 34.6%
83 Chris Stolle Republican 2009 Chris Stolle (R) Chris Stolle (R) unopposed
84 Glenn Davis Republican 2013 Glenn Davis (R) Veronica Coleman (D) unopposed
85 Scott Taylor Republican 2013 Scott Taylor (R) Scott Taylor (R) unopposed
86 Tom Rust Republican 2001 Jennifer Boysko (D)
Democratic gain.
Jennifer Boysko (D) 54.5%
Danny Vargas (R) 42.0%
Paul Brubaker (I) 3.5%
87 David Ramadan Republican 2011 John Bell (D)
Democratic gain.
John Bell (D) 49.9%
Chuong Nguyen (R) 47.9%
Brian Suojanen (L) 2.1%
88 Mark Cole Republican 2001 Mark Cole (R) Mark Cole (R) unopposed
89 Daun Hester Democratic 2012 Daun Hester (D) Daun Hester (D) unopposed
90 Joe Lindsey Democratic 2014 Joe Lindsey (D) Joe Lindsey (D) unopposed
91 Gordon Helsel Republican 2011 Gordon Helsel (R) Gordon Helsel (R) unopposed
92 Jeion Ward Democratic 2003 Jeion Ward (D) Jeion Ward (D) unopposed
93 Monty Mason Democratic 2013 Monty Mason (D) Monty Mason (D) 54.7%
Lara Overy (R) 45.2%
94 David Yancey Republican 2011 David Yancey (R) David Yancey (R) 57.4%
Shelly Simonds (D) 42.3%
95 Mamye BaCote Democratic 2003 Marcia Price (D)
Democratic hold.
Marcia Price (D) 75.8%
Priscilla Burnett (G) 22.9%
96 Brenda Pogge Republican 2007 Brenda Pogge (R) Brenda Pogge (R) 61.1%
Brandon Waltrip (I) 38.7%
97 Chris Peace Republican 2006 Chris Peace (R) Chris Peace (R) 78.5%
Erica Lawler (G) 21.1%
98 Keith Hodges Republican 2011 Keith Hodges (R) Keith Hodges (R) unopposed
99 Margaret Ransone Republican 2011 Margaret Ransone (R) Margaret Ransone (R) unopposed
100 Robert Bloxom Jr. Republican 2014 Robert Bloxom Jr. (R) Robert Bloxom Jr. (R) 57.9%
Willie Randall (D) 42.0%

Seats that changed hands

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Democratic to Republican (1)
Republican to Democratic (2)

Aftermath

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Reaction

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FairVote criticized the election results as demonstrative of Republican gerrymandering and the failures of winner-take-all voting.[18] Stephen J. Farnsworth, a University of Mary Washington described the election in The Washington Post as a "tribute to gerrymandering," highlighting the lack of competitive races.[19] The Democratic Party of Virginia framed "Democratic gains" in the House as having successfully "bucked the national trend as both a Southern state and presidential battleground state."[2]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Registration/Turnout Statistics". Virginia Department of Elections. Archived from the original on October 18, 2018. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
  2. ^ a b Nolan, Jim (November 6, 2015). "Both sides declare win, but neither really did". Woodbridge: Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
  3. ^ "November 3, 2015 General Election: Candidacy Requirements for General Assembly Offices" (PDF). Elections.virginia.gov. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
  4. ^ Nolan, Jim (June 10, 2015). "Low turnout exposed incumbents vulnerable to upsets". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
  5. ^ a b "List of Candidates, 2015 November General, Member House of Delegates" (PDF). Elections.virginia.gov. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
  6. ^ Cain, Andrew (October 22, 2015). "Larry J. Sabato's Crystal Ball - Vying for Virginia: The 2015 General Assembly Elections". University of Virginia Center for Politics. Retrieved December 29, 2017.
  7. ^ Cain, Andrew (October 22, 2015). "Three-judge panel upholds boundaries in 12 House of Delegates districts". Woodbridge: Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
  8. ^ Fain, Travis (January 15, 2015). "Newport News Delegate BaCote likely to retire post-session". Daily Press. Woodbridge. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
  9. ^ Kiser, Uriah (December 3, 2014). "Futrell Eyes Senate, Won't Seek Woodbridge — Stafford House Seat". Woodbridge: Potomac Local. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
  10. ^ Rothstein, Ethan (March 16, 2015). "Del. Rob Krupicka Won't Seek Re-Election". Arlington: ARLnow. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
  11. ^ "Preston to challenge Dance for Senate seat". Richmond Free Press. March 12, 2015. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
  12. ^ Portnoy, Jenna; Vozzella, Laura (April 15, 2015). "Del. David Ramadan, vocal critic of Dulles Greenway tolls, calls it quits". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
  13. ^ "Del. Rust announces he will not seek 8th term". Leesburg: InsideNoVA. February 25, 2015. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
  14. ^ "Ed Scott won't seek re-election to state House". The Daily Progress. February 3, 2015. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
  15. ^ "Surovell to announce run for state Senate". The Washington Post. January 17, 2015. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
  16. ^ Wilson, Patrick (November 5, 2015). "In a first, every Virginia General Assembly incumbent re-elected". The Virginian-Pilot. Retrieved December 29, 2017.
  17. ^ "2015 November General". results.elections.virginia.gov. Archived from the original on April 7, 2017. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
  18. ^ Smith, Haley (November 9, 2015). "Virginia Legislative Elections Highlight Problems with Winner-Take-All Elections". FairVote. Retrieved December 29, 2017.
  19. ^ Farnsworth, Stephen J. (November 5, 2015). "The 2015 election in Virginia: A tribute to gerrymandering". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 29, 2017.