Democrat Shelly Simonds wins Virginia House seat by 1 vote, ending GOP’s 17-year majority

The Virginian-Pilot ^ | December 19, 2017 | Jordan Pascale

[Coronal]

Every vote matters.

Canvassers say that to you when they knock on your door and call your phone before Election Day.

But contests rarely come down to a single vote.

Tuesday was an exception.

Democrat Shelly Simonds picked up 11 votes in a stunning day-long recount to upset Republican incumbent Del. David Yancey in the 94th House District Race,

11,608 to 11,607.

The recount changes the complexion of the Virginia House of Delegates as Republicans and Democrats split the chamber 50 members to 50 members and ushers in a new era of politics in the General Assembly, which begins its session Jan. 10.

Republicans have controlled the chamber for 17 years.

Simonds' win also sets of waves of ramifications not seen since 1998, the last time the House had a split power agreement.

"They've been so excited to get me up there," Simonds said of her Democratic colleagues minutes after the results were announced.

Kirk Cox, the Republican leader who was set to become Speaker in 2018, congratulated Simonds in a press statement.

"The responsibilities of the House of Delegates as an institution transcend party labels, and our obligations to govern this Commonwealth remain," Cox and other Republican leaders wrote in the statement. "As we have said for the last six weeks, we are committed to leading and governing alongside our colleagues."

Gov.-elect Ralph Northam said in a tweet: "Every vote matters — congratulations Shelly Simonds. Looking forward to partnering with you to make life better for every Virginian, no matter who you are, no matter where you live."

[SaveFerris]

[Amazing how it’s always the Democrat that picks up votes in a recount, finds late ballots, or has the counties that counts last.]

It's a miracle!! Then again, maybe not.......

[Trump20162020]

Feel sorry for western Virginia. They should split off and flee the D.C. parasites taking over the rest of the state.

[fieldmarshaldj]

Commie waves are RED. This result is bullcrap.

[ROCKLOBSTER]

Feel sorry for western Virginia. They should split off

Yeah!

They could call it "West Virginia".

[i_robot73]

If you're going to place blame, place it where blame is due: the (R)NC. They have dont ZILCH, zero, nada, N-O-T-H-I-N-G, that I am aware, to *ever* ensure the voting process. - Purge the voting rolls? ID? Get sued to halt (no fight) a/o purge within 6mo of an election (BRILLIANT, Sherlock) - Have EXPANDED early voting/say-day registration *SMH* - Chain of custody of all materials/machines, audits and verification of process(es)?? Nawww. *face palm* - Barely investigate\prosecute the obvious (100%+ eligible voters voting? *Sgt. Schultz time!) - Not even a SIMPLE, jar of PURPLE ink Face it, the uniparty in action; both believe the (D) have 'it' to run, win and *rule*. Just look at Congress today, "Vote us in, we'll do X, Y, Z...." "Uhh, we're not 'ready' w/ the bill for X, Y, Z....". Winning = having to come through w/ their promises and platform. The (R) sure haven't on either front...ANY in fact. "But, we passed TAX 'cuts'". Sorry, revenue neutral != CUTS and ~47+% still pay NO taxes (EITC anyone??), but sure do use govt 'services'.

[windsorknot]

Every vote matters

Dead or alive. Animal, vegetable, or mineral.

[pleasenotcalifornia]

Move several Government Departments to Red States were the voting is not even close for the right, this will shrink the leftist population in Virginia and perhaps turn it red again

[Terry Mross]

They found just enough votes.

[Sasparilla]

A win by one vote isn’t exactly an overwhelming accomplishment, is it?

[Maudeen]

I’m with you. . .one vote?

[Swirl]

Virginia is not tax friendly to retirees. It will likely get worse.

[Pollster1]

Democrats are expert cheats on vote recounts. Just ask Senator Franken (predator/pervert).

[CapnJack]

“Minor leagues. Who cares?”

You better care. “All politics is local” ... remember that phrase?

The Repubs are on the downslide these days and they better do some soul searching before they are on the endangered list after Nov. 2018.

[ConservaTeen]

One vote...I guess every vote matters.

[KevinB]

There is a Democrat Lt. Gov. who will break all tie votes.

I believe that only applies to the senate and there is no mechanism for a tie-break in the house.

[KevinB]

So do Democrats control both houses in Virginia?

They hold neither house. Repubs control the senate 21 to 19 and the house is even. The Republicans can still stop Democrat nonsense.

[KevinB]

Lost another good R in Fauquier/PW to a Peruvian(??) immigrant

Lingamfelter was in a tough district. He always won big in Fauquier, but Prince William was iffy at best. He won the last time by only 100 votes. It was only a matter of time.

[Rodm]

If Republicans want to win they need to turn out and vote.

[Ted Grant]

It happens

[xrmusn]

Lingamfelter was in a tough district. He always won big in Fauquier, but Prince William was iffy at best. He won the last time by only 100 votes. It was only a matter of time.
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
True, he got my vote but....I personally thought he over emphasized her bankruptcies.

‘We’ have been talking redistricting, watch the Ds carve up Fauquier so everything will be part of PW and do that to the rest of the ‘problem areas’..

About the ONLY thing that will save Northern VA is move the Capitol to the Midwest and ALL the Govt types move with them.

Remember when Sheets Byrd got all those Govt facilities moved to WV and promised ALL those jobs...

All the locals got were higher tax bills to pay for the ‘renovations’ to move the flatlanders to Eastern Panhandle WV while the locals got the ‘char jobs’.

Chris Plante(or Rush) said if they are (LIBS/RINOs) breathing they are still lying because they are dreaming up new ways to screw their constituents and STILL get reelected.