Virginia Democrats cruise to victory as the Blue Wave crushes the GOP
Northern Virginia Democrats celebrated big wins Tuesday night, as voters re-elected Sen. Mark Warner, Rep. Don Beyer, and Rep. James Walkinshaw by big margins.
All three spoke at a Democratic election night event in Alexandria, along with former Gov. Terry McAuliffe, Virginia Lt. Gov. Ghazala Hashmi, and Rep. Don Scott, speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates.
The three constitutional amendments passed, revoking the ban on same-sex marriages, guaranteeing reproductive freedom, and automatically restoring voting rights to formerly incarcerated citizens. The two bond measures on the Fairfax County ballot – for parks and health facilities – also passed.
Warner received nearly 60 percent of the vote, beating Republican challenger Bert Mizusawa. In Fairfax County, Warner got nearly 75 percent of the vote.
“I want to make it clear to every Virginian, whether you voted for me or not, I work for you. And I’m willing to work with anyone, of any political stripe,” Warner said.
First elected to the Senate in 2008, Warner told supporters that this will be his last campaign.
Warner blamed Trump’s tariffs and the “reckless war in Iran” for “Virginia families working so hard and playing by the rules and still falling behind.”
He called for universal healthcare, support for Ukraine and democracies, and an end to food insecurity in the U.S. “We must care about human rights around the world and human rights in our country,” he said. “We are America. We’re better than this.”
Voters in Virginia’s 8th congressional district re-elected Rep. Don Beyer with over 79 percent of the vote, compared to just under 18 percent for Republican candidate Tony Sabio.
“Now we have to deliver,” Beyer said. “We have to deliver lower prices. We have to deliver affordable housing. We have to reverse the healthcare cuts.”
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“Trump and his minions moved in and destroyed our government, alienated our friends and destroyed our standing in the world,” he said.
It’s been a hard year locally, Beyer said, citing the destruction of USAID, Elon Musk’s “abominations,” the heartless treatment of the federal workforce, Trump’s “birthday hijinks,” the desecration of the White House and the reflecting pool, and the shutting down of the Kennedy Center.
“Despite all this, instead of losing faith, you have fought back,” Beyer said. “And now the cruelty, destruction, and chaos are over. America is back, the real America, the America of compassion, fairness, and justice.”
Rep. James Walkinshaw was re-elected in the 11th District with 72 percent of the vote, beating Republican Arthur Purves.
“After 10 years of division, I think the American people are ready to turn the page,” said Walkinshaw. “Tonight marks the beginning of the end for Trump.”
“My constituents want results,” he said. “They want an economy where working hard actually means you can get ahead; where families can afford homes, groceries, gas, and healthcare.”
“They want a government that respects the people who serve it – our federal workers – and that delivers for the people who need it. They want leaders who will defend our democracy, protect our freedoms, uphold the rule of law, and root out corruption.”
Walkinshaw said he is optimistic for the future, because “despite our divisions, I actually still believe in our country and the basic goodness of the American people.”
“So tonight, let’s celebrate what we have accomplished together,” he said. “And tomorrow, let’s roll up our sleeves and get to work. Let’s make the American dream affordable again.”