These 3 Races Would Flip Virginia's House Of Delegates

(Updated Nov. 14) RICHMOND, VA — While Tuesday's election was a shocking defeat for Republicans with Ralph Northam grabbing the governor's post and the Democratic Party claiming the other statewide elected offices, the nail biting isn't over yet for the GOP. Republicans weren't expected to lose their majority in the House of Delegates, where they had a massive 66-34 seat lead before Tuesday's vote, but there's a chance the chamber could still flip as recounts are possible in three races.

By the time ballots were counted on election night, Democratic victories flipped a number of seats, bringing the Republican majority to a slim 51-49. That left three tight races eligible for a recount. If Democrats would succeed in one of the recounts, the parties would tie for a majority. Two or three victories would let Democrats squeak by to control the House.

All three have 100 percent of precincts reporting totals, but the results are close enough for a recount. Virginia does not have automatic recounts, but a losing candidate can ask for a recount if the difference is no more than 1 percent.

Candidates are technically not allowed to request recounts yet. Edgardo Cortés, Commissioner of Virginia’s Board of Elections, told WAMU the state Board of Elections must certify the results on Nov. 20 before candidates can request recounts. The latest step was precincts double checking vote counts, which wrapped up Nov. 14. At the center of this was Stafford County, where the electoral board voted to throw out 55 disputed absentee ballots in the race for the 28th District, WTOP reported. These ballots had not been picked up by the registrar until 10 a.m. the day after the election.

Here is a rundown of the three tight races, according to Virginia Department of Elections data:

28th House of Delegates District

Republican Bob Thomas, Jr.: 11,842 votes, 50.08 percent

Democrat Joshua Cole: 11,760 votes, 49.73 percent

Difference: 82 votes, 0.35 percent

The 28th District includes parts of Fredericksburg and Stafford County. The seat is currently held by Republican Bill Howell, the speaker of the House since 1992. Howell did not seek re-election. Fredericksburg went for Northam by a 30-point margin, while Stafford County went for Gillespie by 5 percentage points.

40th House of Delegates District

Republican Tim Hugo: 15,110 votes, 50.10 percent

Democrat Donte Tanner: 15,004 votes, 49.74 percent

Difference: 106 votes, 0.36 percent

The 40th District includes parts of Western Fairfax County and Prince William County. Hugo has represented the district since 2003. Both counties as a whole overwhelmingly choose Northam, although a few precincts slightly favored Gillespie.

94th House of Delegates District

Republican David Yancey: 11,601 votes, 48.56 percent

Democrat Shelly Simonds: 11,591 votes, 48.52 percent

Difference: 13 votes, 0.04 percent

The 94th District includes part of Newport News. Republican David Yancey has represented the district since 2012. The city choose Northam by a nearly 32-point margin.

Image via Commonwealth of Virginia