This story was updated Thursday at 10:40 a.m. with additional endorsements for Srinivasan.
Del. Kannan Srinivasan and former Del. Ibraheem Samirah announced their candidacy for SD-32 Wednesday. This comes after the current senator for the district, Suhas Subramanyam won the VA-10 congressional election Tuesday.
A special election to replace him in the Senate will likely occur in early January.
Srinivasan is being endorsed by Loudoun legislators Sen. Russet Perry and Del. Marty Martinez, and he has the support of several Loudoun Board of Supervisors members.
Democratic mega-donor Clean Virginia is also backing him. In October, they gave his House campaign account $50,000, which he can transfer to the Senate campaign.
Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax, and Speaker of the House Don Scott, D-Portsmouth, announced their support for Srinivasan Wednesday morning.
“We can’t let Trump take the Virginia State Senate too,” Srinivasan said in a statement.
He was first elected to represent Loudoun County in the House of Delegates in 2023.
“With women’s reproductive rights, common-sense gun regulations, healthcare, and our democracy under increasing Republican attacks, we have to win this special election,” he continued. “This seat is the last thing protecting a Democratic majority in the Virginia Senate, so it is absolutely critical that MAGA extremists do not win and take Loudoun families backwards. I have a proven track record of winning elections, which is why Loudoun Democrats who know how to win elections are supporting our campaign. Over the coming days, I look forward to earning your vote and working together to ensure Donald Trump’s hateful, divisive rhetoric does not take over Virginia.”
Samirah announced the endorsements of several progressive groups, including Our Revolution and MPower Action.
“I am proud to announce that I am running for the State Senate after serving in the Virginia House of Delegates on behalf of the people of Loudoun County from 2019-2022,” Samirah said in a statement.
Samirah lost his House seat in a primary challenge to Irene Shin in 2021. He then lost the primary race to Subramanyam for the SD-32 seat in 2023.
“Congressman-elect Subramanyam leaves big shoes to fill from his service to the people of the 32nd State Senate District,” he continued. “Loudouners deserve a State Senator who will champion their progressive vision for the Commonwealth of Virginia through a Virginian Green New Deal, state-level Medicare for All, and quality affordable housing.”
Democrats are hosting a firehouse primary on Saturday, Nov, 16, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to choose their nominee.
Hurunnessa Fariad, Sreedhar NagiReddi and Puja Khanna have also filed to run for the Democratic nomination in this district.
