Norfolk State University alumnus, now Senator-Elect, Lamont Bagby (D-Va.) won a special election Tuesday, March 28, to fill the Virginia Senate seat vacated by Rep. Jennifer McClellan (D-Va.). Bagby defeated Republican Stephen Imholt in the contest. Bagby had over 89% of the votes by 9:30 p.m. the night of the election. With Bagby’s victory, the party divide in the Virginia Senate remains the same, with 22 Democrats and 18 Republicans.
Bagby, of Henrico, VA, must now vacate his seat in the Virginia House of Delegates and will begin representing the 9th state Senate District for the rest of McClellan’s term. That Senate term ends in January 2024. However, Bagby may face primary challengers as early as June this year for the 140 General Assembly election in the fall.
In a statement, Bagby said, “To all those who joined us, and to those who didn’t, know that this seat belongs to you and my door will always be open.”
Bagby was elected to represent the 74th district in the House of Delegates on Nov. 3, 2015. The district includes the City of Richmond, VA, Charles City County, and parts of Henrico County.
Bagby is a 2009 graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University and a 1999 graduate of Norfolk State University.