2023 Virginia Senate election
The 2023 Virginia Senate election is scheduled to be held on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, concurrently with elections for the Virginia House of Delegates, to elect senators to all 40 seats in the Senate of Virginia for the 163rd and 164th Virginia Assembly. Nomination primaries held through the Department of Elections were held June 20, 2023. These will be the first elections held following redistricting as a result of the 2020 census. Background 
Following the 2019 election, the Democratic Party gained 2 seats in the Senate, and gained control of both chambers of the General Assembly, marking the first time that Democrats held a government trifecta in Virginia since 1993. This was short-lived, however, as Republicans regained the governorship and the House of Delegates in the 2021 elections. Retirements
Ten incumbents will not seek re-election. Republicans
District 3: Tommy Norment will retire. District 14: John Cosgrove will retire. District 23: Steve Newman will retire. District 24: Emmett Hanger will retire. District 27: Jill Vogel will retire. Democrats
District 6: Lynwood Lewis will retire. District 13: John Bell will retire. District 21: John Edwards will retire. District 32: Janet Howell will retire. District 35: Dick Saslaw will retire. Incumbents defeated

In primary election
Five incumbent senators, four Democrats and one Republican, were defeated in the June 20 primary election. Democrats
 13th district: Joe Morrissey lost renomination to Lashrecse Aird
 18th district: Lionell Spruill lost renomination to fellow incumbent Louise Lucas
 36th district: George Barker lost renomination to Stella Pekarsky
 37th district: Chap Petersen lost renomination to Saddam Salim

Republicans
12th district: Amanda Chase lost renomination to Glen Sturtevant

Special elections

District 38 (renumbered District 5 in 2023)
Incumbent Republican Ben Chafin, first elected in 2014, died on January 1, 2021. District 7

Incumbent Republican Jen Kiggans, first elected in 2019, resigned on November 15, 2022, to take office as U.S. representative for Virginia's 2nd congressional district. District 9

Democrat Jennifer McClellan, first elected in 2017, resigned on March 7, 2023, to take office as the U.S. representative for Virginia's 4th congressional district. Lamont Bagby won the special election to take the seat. Overview

Predictions

Results summary by Virginia Senate district

Polling

List of districts

District 1

Senate District 1 contains all of the city of Winchester, Clarke County, Frederick County, Shenandoah County, and Warren County. This is an open seat following redistricting. Republican primary

Nominee
 Timmy French, farmer

Defeated in primary
 Lance Allen, security company executive and candidate for Lieutenant Governor in 2021
 James Bergida, Christendom College professor
 Blaine Dunn, Vice-chair of the Frederick County Board of Supervisors and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2020
 Dave LaRock, state delegate
 John Massoud, Strasburg town councilor and nominee for HD-48 in 1997
 Brandon Monk, Frederick County school board member
 Brad Pollack, Shenandoah County supervisor

Failed to qualify
 Robert Hupman, farmer

Results

Democratic primary

Nominee
 Emily Scott, labor union employee and nominee for HD-15 in 2021

General election
Predictions

District 2

Senate District 2 contains all of the city of Harrisonburg, Bath County, Highland County, Page County, and Rockingham County, as well as portions of Augusta County. This district has two incumbents following redistricting: Republicans Emmett Hanger, who was first elected in 1995, and Mark Obenshain, who was first elected in 2003. Republican primary

Nominee
 Mark Obenshain, incumbent

Declined
 Emmett Hanger, incumbent

Democratic primary

Nominee
 Kathy Beery, retired teacher

Libertarian Primary

Nominee
 Joshua Huffman, political scientist and former candidate for Harrisonburg City Council

General election
Predictions

District 3

Senate District 3 contains all of the cities of Buena Vista, Covington, Lexington, Staunton, Waynesboro, Alleghany County, Botetourt County, Craig County, and Rockbridge County, as well as portions of Augusta County and Roanoke County. This is an open seat following redistricting. Republican primary

Nominee
 Chris Head, Delegate for Virginia's 3rd House of Delegates district (2012–present)

Declined
 Emmett Hanger, incumbent state senator

Democratic primary

Nominee
 Jade Harris, former vice mayor of Glasgow and Democratic nominee for HD-24 in the 2023 special election

General election
Predictions

District 4

Senate District 4 contains the entire cities of Roanoke and Salem, as well as portions of Roanoke County and Montgomery County. This district has two incumbents following redistricting: Democrat John Edwards, who was first elected in 1995, and Republican Dave Suetterlein, who was first elected in 2015. Democratic primary

Nominee
 Trish White-Boyd, Roanoke City Council member

Defeated in primary
 D.A. Pierce, U.S. Air Force veteran
 Luke Priddy, Roanoke City Council member and Chief of Staff to outgoing State Sen. John Edwards

Declined
 John Edwards, incumbent state senator from SD-21

Endorsements

Results

Republican primary

Nominee
 Dave Suetterlein, incumbent

General election
Predictions

Endorsements

District 5

Senate District 5 contains all of the city of Radford, Bland County, Giles County, Pulaski County, Smyth County, and Tazewell County, as well as portions of Montgomery County and Wythe County. The incumbent is Republican Travis Hackworth, who was first elected in 2021. Republican primary

Nominee
 Travis Hackworth, incumbent state senator

Democratic primary

Nominee
 Robert Beckman

General election
Predictions

District 6

Senate District 6 contains all of the cities of Bristol, Norton, Buchanan County, Dickenson County, Lee County, Russell County, Scott County, Washington County, and Wise County. The incumbent is Republican Todd Pillion, who was first elected in 2019. Republican primary

Nominee
 Todd Pillion, incumbent

General election
Predictions

District 7

Senate District 7 contains the entire cities of Galax, Martinsville, Carroll County, Floyd County, Franklin County, Grayson County, Henry County, and Patrick County, as well as portions of Wythe County. The incumbent is Republican Bill Stanley, who was first elected in 2011. Republican primary

Nominee
 Bill Stanley, incumbent

Democratic primary

Nominee
 Deborah "Renie" Gates, attorney

General election
Predictions

District 8

Senate District 8 contains the entire city of Lynchburg, Bedford County, and Campbell County. This seat has two incumbents following redistricting: Republican Stephen Newman, who was first elected in 1995, and Republican Mark Peake, who was first elected in 2017. Republican primary

Nominee
 Mark Peake, incumbent

Declined
 Stephen Newman, incumbent

Democratic primary

Nominee
 Donna StClair, retired teacher

General election
Predictions

District 9

Senate District 9 contains the entire city of Danville, Charlotte County, Halifax County, Lunenburg County, Mecklenburg County, Nottoway County, and Pittsylvania County, as well as portions of Prince Edward County. The incumbent is Republican Frank Ruff, who was first elected in 2000. Republican primary

Nominee
 Frank Ruff, incumbent

Democratic primary

Failed to qualify
 Trudy Berry, U.S. Air Force veteran and nominee for HD-61 in 2019 and 2021

General election
Predictions

District 10

Senate District 10 contains all of Amelia County, Appomattox County, Buckingham County, Cumberland County, Fluvanna County, Goochland County, and Powhatan County, as well as portions of Hanover County, Louisa County and Prince Edward County. This is an open seat following redistricting. Republican convention

Nominee
 John McGuire, state delegate

Defeated at convention
 Duane Adams, Louisa County supervisor
 Sandy Brindley, community activist
 Jack Dyer, businessman

Results
Total vote tally were not released publicly. Democratic Priamry

Failed to qualify
 Dan Tomlinson

Withdrawn
 Jacob Boykin, university student

General election
Predictions

District 11

Senate District 11 contains the entire city of Charlottesville, Albemarle County, Amherst County, and Nelson County, as well as portions of Louisa County. The incumbent is Democrat Creigh Deeds, who was first elected in 2001. Democratic primary

Nominee
 Creigh Deeds, incumbent state senator for SD-25 (2001–present) and Democratic nominee for Attorney General in 2005 & Governor in 2009

Eliminated in primary 
 Sally Hudson, incumbent delegate for HD-57 (2020–present)

Endorsements

Results

Republican primary

Nominee
 Philip Hamilton, activist and nominee for HD-57 in 2021

Independents

Failed to qualify
 J'riah Guerrero, public transit employee

General election
Predictions

Endorsements

District 12

Senate District 12 contains the entire city of Colonial Heights, as well as portions of Chesterfield County. The incumbent is non-caucusing Republican Amanda Chase, who was first elected in 2015. Republican primary

Nominee
 Glen Sturtevant, former state senator for Virginia's 10th Senate District (2016–20)

Eliminated in primary
 Amanda Chase, incumbent state senator
 Tina Ramirez, founder of the International Religious Freedom Caucus and candidate for VA-7 in 2020

Results

Democratic primary

Nominee
 Natan McKenzie, businessman

General election
Predictions

Endorsements

District 13

Senate District 13 contains the entire cities of Hopewell, Petersburg, Charles City County, Prince George County, Surry County, and Sussex County, as well as portions of Dinwiddie County and Henrico County. Democratic primary

Nominee 
 Lashrecse Aird, former Delegate for Virginia's 63rd House of Delegates district (2016–22)

Eliminated in primary 
 Joe Morrissey, incumbent state senator

Withdrawn 
 Angela Rowe, retired bank executive

Endorsements

Results

Republican primary

Nominee
 Eric Ditri, corporate financier

Independents

Failed to qualify
 Daniel Muniz

General election
Predictions

Endorsements

District 14

Senate District 14 contains portions of the city of Richmond and Henrico County. The incumbent is Democrat Lamont Bagby, who was first elected in 2023. Democratic primary

Nominee
 Lamont Bagby, incumbent

Defeated in primary
 Katie Gooch, community organizer and minister

Endorsements

Results

General election
Predictions

District 15

Senate District 15 contains portions of the city of Richmond and Chesterfield County. The incumbent is Democrat Ghazala Hashmi, who was first elected in 2019. Democratic primary

Nominee
 Ghazala Hashmi, incumbent

Endorsements

Republican primary

Nominee
 Hayden Fisher, attorney

Withdrawn
 Elmer Diaz, realtor

General election
Predictions

District 16

Senate District 16 contains portions of Henrico County. The incumbent is Republican Siobhan Dunnavant, who was first elected in 2015. Republican primary

Nominee
 Siobhan Dunnavant, incumbent state senator

Democratic primary

Nominee
 Schuyler VanValkenburg, Delegate for HD-72 (2018–present)

Endorsements

General election
Predictions

District 17

Senate District 17 contains the entire cities of Emporia, Franklin, Suffolk, Brunswick County, Greensville County, Isle of Wight County, and Southampton County, as well as portions of the city of Portsmouth and Dinwiddie County. This is an open seat following redistricting. Democratic primary

Nominee
 Clint Jenkins, state delegate

Endorsements

Republican primary

Nominee
 Emily Brewer, state delegate

Defeated in primary
 Hermie Sadler, former NASCAR driver

Endorsements

Results

General election
Predictions

District 18

Senate District 18 contains portions of the cities of Chesapeake and Portsmouth. This district has two incumbents following redistricting: Democrat Louise Lucas, who was first elected in 1991, and Democrat Lionell Spruill, who was first elected in 2016. Democratic primary

Nominee
 L. Louise Lucas, President pro tempore of the Virginia Senate (2020–present) from Virginia's 18th Senate district (1992–present)

Eliminated in primary 
 Lionell Spruill, incumbent State Senator for Virginia's 5th Senate district (2016–present)

Endorsements

Results

Republican primary

Nominee
 Tony Goodwin, businessman and candidate for Mayor of Portsmouth

General election
Predictions

District 19

Senate District 19 contains portions of the cities of Chesapeake and Virginia Beach. The incumbent is Republican John Cosgrove, who was first elected in 2013. Republican primary

Nominee
 Christie Craig, former Chesapeake School Board member and Chief of Staff to John Cosgrove

Defeated in primary
 Tim Anderson, delegate
 Jeff Bruzzesi, businessman

Declined
 John Cosgrove, incumbent state senator

Results

Democratic primary

Nominee
 Myra Payne

General election
Predictions

District 20

Senate District 20 contains all of Accomack County and Northampton County, as well as portions of the cities of Norfolk and Virginia Beach. This district has two incumbents following redistricting: Democrat Lynwood Lewis, who was first elected in 2014, and Republican Bill DeSteph, who was first elected in 2015. Democratic primary

Nominee
 Victoria Luevanos, U.S. Navy veteran

Declined
 Lynwood Lewis, incumbent

Republican primary

Nominee
 Bill DeSteph, incumbent

General election
Predictions

District 21

Senate District 21 contains portions of the city of Norfolk. This is an open seat following redistricting. Democratic primary

Nominee
 Angelia Williams Graves, Delegate for Virginia’s 90th House of Delegates district (2021–present)

Defeated in primary
 Andria McClellan, Norfolk city councilor and candidate for Lieutenant Governor in 2021

Withdrawn
 Mike Pudhorodsky, activist

Endorsements

Results

Independents
 Giovanni Dolmo, Republican nominee for HD-89 special election in 2022

General election
Predictions

District 22

Senate District 22 contains portions of Virginia Beach. The incumbent is Democrat Aaron Rouse, who was first elected on January 10, 2023, in a special election triggered by the resignation of the previous incumbent, Jen Kiggans, who resigned this seat after winning her election to Virginia's 2nd congressional district in the 2022 election, defeating incumbent Elaine Luria. Democratic primary

Nominee
 Aaron Rouse, incumbent state senator

Endorsements

Republican primary

Nominee
 Kevin Adams, U.S. Navy veteran and nominee for the SD-7 2023 special election

General election
Predictions

District 23

Senate District 23 contains the entire city of Hampton, as well as portions of the city of Newport News. The incumbent is Democrat Mamie Locke, who was first elected in 2003. Democratic primary

Nominee
 Mamie Locke, incumbent state senator

Endorsements

General election
Predictions

District 24

Senate District 24 contains the entire cities of Poquoson, Williamsburg, and York County, as well as portions of the city of Newport News and James City County. The incumbent is Democrat Monty Mason, who was first elected in 2016. Democratic primary

Nominee
 Monty Mason, incumbent state senator

Endorsements

Republican primary

Nominee
 Danny Diggs, former York-Poquoson sheriff (2000–22)

General election
Predictions

District 25

Senate District 25 contains all of Caroline County, Essex County, King George County, King William County, Lancaster County, Middlesex County, Northumberland County, Richmond County, and Westmoreland County, as well as portions of King & Queen County and Spotsylvania County. The incumbent is Republican Richard Stuart, who was first elected in 2007. Republican primary

Nominee
 Richard Stuart, incumbent

Democratic primary

Nominee
 Jolicia Ward, community activist and candidate for HD-99 in 2021

General election
Predictions

District 26

Senate District 26 contains all of Gloucester County, Mathews County, and New Kent County, as well as portions of Hanover County, James City County, and King & Queen County. This district has two incumbents following redistricting: Republican Ryan McDougle, who was first elected in 2006, and Republican Tommy Norment, who was first elected in 1991. Republican primary

Nominee
 Ryan McDougle, incumbent

Declined
 Tommy Norment, Senate Minority leader

Democratic primary

Nominee
 Pam Garner, U.S. Air Force veteran

General election
Predictions

District 27

Senate District 27 contains the entire city of Fredericksburg, as well as portions of Spotsylvania County and Stafford County. This is an open seat following redistricting. Democratic primary

Nominee
 Joel Griffin, U.S. Marine veteran

Eliminated in primary 
 Ben Litchfield, attorney

Failed to qualify
 Luke Wright, U.S. Marine Corps veteran

Endorsements

Results

Republican primary

Nominee
 Tara Durant, Delegate for Virginia’s 28th House of Delegates district (2022–present)

Eliminated in primary 
 Matt Strickland, U.S. Army veteran

Endorsements

Results

Independents

Declared
 Monica Gary, Stafford County supervisor for the Aquia District (2023–present)

General election
Predictions

District 28

Senate District 28 contains all of Culpeper County, Greene County, Madison County, Orange County, and Rappahannock County, as well as portions of Fauquier County and Spotsylvania County. The incumbent is Bryce Reeves, who was first elected in 2011. Republican firehouse primary

Nominee
 Bryce Reeves, incumbent

Defeated in primary
 Mike Allers, teacher

Results

Democratic primary

Nominee
 Jason Ford, manager

Independents

Declared
 Elizabeth Melson, President of FairVote Virginia

Did not qualify
 Tawana Campbell, tax professional

General election
Predictions

District 29

Senate District 29 contains portions of Prince William County and Stafford County. The incumbent is Democrat Jeremy McPike, who was first elected in 2015. Democratic primary

Nominee 

 Jeremy McPike, incumbent state senator (2016–present)

Defeated in primary
 Elizabeth Guzmán, Delegate for Virginia's 31st House of Delegates district (2018–present)

Endorsements

Results

Republican primary

Nominee
Nikki Baldwin, U.S. Navy veteran

Defeated in primary
Maria Martin, author

Results

General election
Predictions

District 30

Senate District 30 contains all of the cities of Manassas and Manassas Park, as well as portions of Prince William County. This is an open seat following redistricting. Democratic primary

Nominee
 Danica Roem, Delegate for Virginia's 13th House of Delegates district (2018–present)

Endorsements

Republican primary

Nominee
 William "Bill" Woolf, nonprofit founder and former DOJ employee

Endorsements

Defeated in primary
 Robert Ruffolo, U.S. Army veteran

Withdrawn
 Ian Lovejoy, former Manassas City Councilor and nominee for HD-50 in 2019 (running for House of Delegates)

Results

General election
Predictions

District 31

Senate District 31 contains portions of Fauquier County and Loudoun County. The incumbent is Republican Jill Vogel, who was first elected in 2007. Republican primary

Nominee
 Juan Pablo Segura, entrepreneur

Withdrawn
Geary Higgins, former Loudoun County supervisor and nominee for SD-13 in 2019

Declined
 Jill Vogel, incumbent state senator

Democratic primary

Nominee
 Russet Perry, attorney

Defeated in primary
 Zach Cummings, Leesburg town councilor (2021–present)

Endorsements

Results

General election
Predictions

District 32

Senate District 32 contains portions of Loudoun County. The incumbent is Democrat John Bell, who was first elected in 2019. Democratic primary

Nominee
 Suhas Subramanyam, Delegate for Virginia's 87th House of Delegates district (2020–present)

Defeated in primary
 Ibraheem Samirah, former Delegate for Virginia's 86th House of Delegates district (2019–22)

Declined
 John Bell, incumbent state senator

Endorsements

Results

Republican primary

Declared
 Greg Moulthrop, tech entrepreneur and nominee for HD-87 in 2021

General election
Predictions

District 33

Senate District 33 contains portions of Fairfax County and Prince William County. This is an open seat following redistricting. Democratic primary

Nominee
 Jennifer Carroll Foy, former Delegate for Virginia's 2nd House of Delegates district (2018–20) and candidate for Governor in 2021

Defeated in primary
 Hala Ayala, former Delegate for Virginia's 51st House of Delegates district (2018–22) and Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor in 2021

Endorsements

Results

Republican primary

Nominee
 Michael Van Meter, U.S. Navy veteran

General election
Predictions

District 34

Senate District 34 contains portions of Fairfax County. The incumbent is Democrat Scott Surovell, who was first elected in 2015. Democratic primary

Nominee
 Scott Surovell, incumbent state senator

Republican primary

Nominee
 Mark Springman, research analyst

Endorsements

General election
Predictions

District 35

Senate District 35 contains portions of Fairfax County. This district has two incumbents following redistricting: Democrat Dave Marsden, who was first elected in 2010, and Democrat Dick Saslaw, who was first elected in 1980. Democratic primary

Nominee
 Dave Marsden, incumbent state senator

Defeated in primary
 Heidi Drauschak, public advocate

Declined
 Dick Saslaw, incumbent state senator

Endorsements

Results

Republican primary

Nominee
 Mark Vafiades, contractor for U.S. Customs and Border Protection

General election
Predictions

District 36

Senate District 36 contains portions of Fairfax County. The incumbent is Democrat George Barker, who was first elected in 2007. Democratic primary

Nominee
 Stella Pekarsky, Fairfax County school board member

Defeated in primary
 George Barker, incumbent

Endorsements

Results

Republican primary

Nominee
 Julie Perry, teacher and nominee for HD-86 in 2021

General election
Predictions

District 37

Senate District 37 contains the entire cities of Falls Church and Fairfax, as well as portions of Fairfax County. The incumbent is Democrat Chap Petersen, who was first elected in 2007. Democratic primary

Nominee
 Saddam Azlan Salim, financial consultant

Defeated in primary
 Chap Petersen, incumbent

Withdrawn
 Erika Yalowitz, community organizer (endorsed Salim)

Endorsements

Results

Republican primary

Nominee
 Ken Reid, former Loudoun County supervisor

General election
Predictions

District 38

Senate District 38 contains portions of Fairfax County. This district has two incumbents following redistricting: Democrat Jennifer Boysko, who was first elected in 2019, and Democrat Janet Howell, who was first elected in 1991. Democratic primary

Nominee
 Jennifer Boysko, incumbent state senator

Declined
 Janet Howell, incumbent state senator

Endorsements

Republican primary

Nominee
 Matthew Lang, U.S. Navy veteran and nominee for HD-36 in 2021

General election
Predictions

District 39

Senate District 39 contains the entire city of Alexandria, as well as portions of Arlington County and Fairfax County. The incumbent is Democrat Adam Ebbin, who was first elected in 2011. Democratic primary

Nominee
 Adam Ebbin, incumbent

Endorsements

Republican primary

Nominee
 Sophia Moshasha, VR technology advocate

General election
Predictions

District 40

Senate District 40 contains portions of Arlington County. The incumbent is Democrat Barbara Favola, who was first elected in 2011. Democratic primary

Nominee
 Barbara Favola, incumbent state senator

Defeated in primary
 James DeVita, attorney

Endorsements

Republican primary

Nominee
 David Henshaw, U.S. Air Force veteran

Results

General election
Predictions

See also 
 2023 United States state legislative elections

Notes

References 

Virginia Senate
Senate
Virginia Senate elections