Democrats retain two Richmond-area seats in back-to-back special elections

Former Richmond Del. Mike Jones is headed back to the General Assembly — this time as a state senator — after winning Tuesday’s special election in Virginia Senate District 15, a Democratic-leaning seat vacated late last year by Ghazala Hashmi.

By 8 p.m., Jones had defeated Republican John Thomas by a margin of 67.8-32% out of 15,409 votes cast, according to unofficial election results, securing a seat that stretches across much of Richmond and parts of Chesterfield County.

The win caps a fast-moving political reshuffle sparked by November’s statewide elections and ensures Democrats retain control of the district as lawmakers prepare to convene for the 2026 General Assembly session next week.

Jones’ victory immediately triggered another result down-ballot. In House District 77 — the Richmond-based seat Jones vacated to run for the Senate — Democrat Charlie Schmidt won a special election of his own Tuesday, defeating Republican Richard Stonage by 76.5-23.4% out of 5,970 votes cast. Smith will fill the remainder of Jones’ unexpired House term.



https://virginiamercury.com/2026/01/06/democrats-retain-two-richmond-area-seats-in-back-to-back-special-elections/