A New York Times reporter was struck by the success of Democrats in Virginia's statewide election on Tuesday, arguing that it's poised to become the "biggest" election for the state's party in decades.
On Tuesday, Democrats captured Virginia's governor and Lt. governor's offices, and took back control of the state's House of Delegates. It would be the first time since 2021 that Democrats have a trifecta in state government, according to data from Ballotpedia.
Reporter Reid Epstein wrote in the outlet's live election coverage that former Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger's margin of victory helped lift other Democrats down ballot.
"Virginia Democrats now hold a 51-49 advantage in the House of Delegates, and party leaders are hoping to flip as many as nine Republican seats," Epstein wrote. "It could be the biggest Democratic election in Virginia since 1989."
CNN and The Associated Press projected Spanberger to win the governor's race in less than an hour after the polls closed in Virginia.
Her opponent, incumbent Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, ran a campaign that was closely aligned with President Donald Trump, although he refused to formally endorse her ahead of the election.