Democrat Michael Feggans unseated Republican Del. Karen Greenhalgh in a race for the Virginia House of Delegates, helping Democrats flip control of the lower chamber.
Feggans, an Air Force veteran, defeated incumbent Greenhalgh, an entrepreneur, in the Virginia Beach-based 97th District, giving Democrats a win in the toss-up district.
VIRGINIA DEMOCRATS AREN’T CAMPAIGNING AGAINST YOUNGKIN AHEAD OF TUESDAY ELECTIONS
The military-heavy district’s decision to send a Democrat to Richmond was a blow to Gov. Glenn Youngkin‘s quest to retain control of the House and push a new 15-week abortion restriction, with exceptions for rape, incest, and danger to the life of the mother.
Feggans focused his campaign on retaining abortion access in the sole state in the South that permits the procedure through the second trimester. He also campaigned on “supporting our educators,” saying, “Of course, there’s gonna be lines in the sand that we must draw, especially when it comes to reproductive freedom and supporting our educators.”
Feggans pointed to Democratic state Sen. Aaron Rouse’s successful January special election victory, filling the Virginia Beach seat left by Rep. Jennifer Kiggans (R-VA), where abortion access was the overwhelming message of his campaign.
Greenhalgh supported Youngkin’s plan to restrict abortion at 15 weeks. Greenhalgh used to manage the Crisis Pregnancy Center of Tidewater.
The outgoing Republican, who is finishing her first term, campaigned on reducing taxes, supporting veterans, and improving public safety, saying, “During my time in office, I have been focused on lowering the tax burden on Virginia families, keeping our community safe, and standing up for our veterans.”
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Feggans came into the Election Day with endorsements from former Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D-VA), Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA), Rep. Elaine Luria (D-VA), Rep. Jennifer McClellan (D-VA), Planned Parenthood, the Human Rights Campaign, and several anti-gun organizations.
Greenhalgh was endorsed by Youngkin, Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares, Kiggans, and the Virginia Beach Fraternal Order of Police.
