On Tuesday, March 28, voters in Virginia’s 9th Senate District are going to the polls to select a new state senator to replace now-US Rep. Jennifer McClellan ahead of the General Assembly veto session.
On Tuesday, voters will cast their ballots to elect a new member of the Virginia legislature to replace former state senator and newly elected US Rep. Jennifer McClellan.
Democratic Del. Lamont Bagby, who has served in the state House since 2015, faces Republican Stephen Imholt in the race to replace McClellan. The winner of this contest will have to run again in November’s general election, though the decennial redistricting process will change the district number and makeup; Bagby has already filed to run for Senate District 14, which includes most of current Senate District 9.
The winner of Tuesday’s contest will participate in the upcoming General Assembly veto session on April 12, where Democrats are keen to keep the 22-18 advantage they enjoyed over Republicans in the state Senate before McClellan’s resignation at the end of February.
Senate District 9 is heavily Democratic, and the special election is expected to be a low-turnout affair. The candidates’ respective fundraising reflects the heavy partisan lean of the district; Bagby has raised over $200,000 for the race, while Imholt has reportedly brought in less than $1,000, and his most recent campaign finance filing listed no campaign expenses.
Polls close at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 28.
