VA State Senate Special Elections

[LeBron]

Ouch, I didn't even consider how the AG race could hurt VA Democrats here. If Democrats lose even one of these, McAuliffe will be a lame-duck Governor for the next 2 years or possibly his whole Governorship. There would be full Republican control of both houses and no chance of compromise unless Dems. can maintain that narrow control of the Senate.

Do you know the PVI of each one by chance? From what it seems, the 6th leans D while the 33rd could really go either way.

[LeBron]

It's being reported on Rachel Maddow's show right now and with 97% of precincts reporting, it is too close to call. The Democrat, Lynwood Lewis Jr., is leading with 10,197 votes and 50% of the vote to Republican Wayne Coleman who has 10,175 votes to his name with 49.9% of the vote. There are also 8 write-in votes.  

If Republicans win this seat or Herring's seat in two weeks, they will retain control of the State Senate and McAuliffe could be a lame-duck Governor.

[LeBron]

I'm sure those 8 voters probably feel like crap knowing that screwing around and writing some name that stood no chance of winning could be the difference between whether Lewis or Coleman picks up the win now with a margin as narrow as this and intense circumstances as vital as this.

As for the 33rd, I'm predicting a Democratic hold there because of Joe May being in the race and therefore a split in the Republican moderate and Tea Party vote, but this current race could still go either way.