Three special elections are taking place today to fill vacant seats in the General Assembly. State Sens. John McGuire, R-Goochland, and Suhas Subramanyam, D-Loudoun, were both elected to Congress in November and resigned their seats in the General Assembly.
In the nomination process to fill Subramanyam’s seat in the Senate, Del. Kannan Srinivasan, D-Loudoun, won the Democratic nomination, resulting in him resigning his seat in the House of Delegates and leaving a third seat vacant.
The elections to fill all three seats were scheduled for the same day, just hours ahead of the General Assembly convening for the legislative session.
Democrats hold a two-seat majority in both chambers, meaning they need to keep the two Loudoun-area seats in their control to retain their majority.
In SD-10, where McGuire represented, the district leans heavily to Republicans.
Luther Cifers won the nomination at a mass meeting last month that was not finished until after 1 am.
He describes himself as a “serial entrepreneur” with a “knack for solving problems.”
He founded YakAttack, a kayaking accessory business.
“I’m not a politician, but I believe our government functions best when working citizens participate,” Cifers said. “As a Virginia state Senator, I will advocate for simple, practical solutions that address the issues facing the citizens of the 10th District, with a focus on improving home affordability, less government intrusion, preservation of liberty, and fiscal responsibility.”
Jack Trammell was the only Democrat who sought the nomination for this seat.
Trammell ran for Congress in 2014 against Republican Dave Brat in VA-07 and is currently a college professor and sociologist at Mount St. Mary’s University in Maryland.
He owns a farm and lives in Louisa County.
“I am committed to driving positive change in our district,” he said recently. “From strengthening local economies and improving infrastructure to supporting family farms, advancing education, and protecting women’s reproductive rights, I am ready to advocate for the issues that matter most to our community.”
McGuire ran unopposed in 2023.
According to analysis from VPAP, Glenn Youngkin won this district with 65% of the vote in 2021.
In SD-32, the district Subramanyam represented, the district leans heavily to Democrats.
Srinivasan won the nomination during a firehouse primary in December.
He has represented HD-26 since he was first elected in 2023.
He grew up in the Tamil Nadu State in India and earned his bachelor’s degree in commerce from Vivekanada College at the University of Madras. He immigrated to Virginia in 1992 to pursue a master’s degree in accounting at Old Dominion University.
He was on the state Medicaid Board under Governors Terry McAuliffe and Ralph Northam.
He currently works in finance and business analytics.
“With women’s reproductive rights, common-sense gun regulations, healthcare, and our democracy under increasing Republican attacks, we have to win this special election,” Srinivasan said in a statement announcing his candidacy. “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.”
Tumay Harding won the Republican nomination to run against Srinivasan.
Harding earned a bachelor’s degree in English literature and a master’s degree in curriculum development from George Mason University. She then worked as a teacher in Prince William and Loudoun County Public Schools.
Prior to teaching, Tumay spent several years as a sales executive in the Cargo/Freight-Forwarding industry.
Her campaign website says she has focused her efforts on educational choice as a member of the Board of the Middleburg Community Charter School.
“Democrats in Richmond continually prioritize illegal immigrants who commit violent crimes over the safety of you and your family. But tomorrow, we can stop them,” Harding posted on social media Monday. “Let’s end sanctuary cities, put Virginia families first, and stop the nonsense!”
According to analysis from VPAP, Terry McAuliffe won SD-32 with 60% of the vote in 2021.
In HD-26, where Srinivasan represented, the district leans heavily to Democrats.
JJ Singh earned the nomination during a firehouse primary in December.
Singh was born in Northern Virginia after his parents moved from India in 1970.
He graduated from the University of Virginia and worked for the Peace Corps in Bolivia.
He served in the White House Office of Management and Budget during the Obama years and also worked for Senator Chris Coons as his economic policy advisor.
“My family came over from India in 1970 in search of opportunity, and I am the product of their hopes and dreams,” Singh said when he announced his campaign. “Born and raised, right here in Northern Virginia, I’m the proud graduate of our public school system and the University of Virginia. But today, the American dream is in peril. My two daughters have fewer rights than my wife. Gun violence is the number one cause of death for kids. And tuition at our public universities is skyrocketing. When I go to Richmond, I’ll fight for our families, and for the American Dream.”
Ram Venkatachalam earned the Republican nomination to run against Singh.
Venkatachalam immigrated to the United States from India after earning a bachelor’s degree in computer science engineering and a master’s in computer science.
He currently works as an IT consultant for Deloitte.
He was appointed to the Loudoun County Transit Advisory in 2017 and became chair in 2020.
“I am running for Delegate because far-left politicians in the VA House of Delegates are out of touch and failing us,” wrote when he announced his candidacy. “On Jan. 7th, reject extreme partisan politics and vote for me: a parent, your neighbor, and your friend. Let’s restore common sense to the Commonwealth!
According to analysis from VPAP, McAuliffe won this district with 61% of the vote in 2021.
Voting takes place at normal voting locations from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.