Abortion & trans rights are safe in Virginia as Democrats take control of the legislature

Last night, Virginia’s entire General Assembly was on the ballot – and Democrats managed to hang on to the state Senate and flip the House of Delegates. The results are a crushing blow to the GOP and the state’s Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who was counting on gaining control of the legislature to pass a 15-week abortion ban.

Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, voters across the country have repeatedly shown that Democrats win when reproductive rights are on the ballot, and Virginia was no exception. As Slate pointed out, Democratic control of the legislature means the party will not only be able to block legislation to limit reproductive rights but will also be able to jumpstart the process of proposing a state constitutional amendment to guarantee the right to abortion.

Related:

Ohio voters defeat GOP anti-abortion agenda in resounding pro-choice victory

Republicans used many tricks to try and defeat the measure.

Virginia’s elections have also been viewed as a precursor to what might happen in the 2024 elections. As ABC News explained, the Democratic victory means the party will likely continue to campaign on abortion rights across the country. Meanwhile, Republicans are learning voters are rejecting their strategy of advocating so vehemently against abortion.

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The Democratic victory in the legislature also means the rights of trans Virginians will be protected. Last year, 12 anti-trans bills were introduced by Republican lawmakers, but Democratic control of the state Senate meant none of them were able to pass. With Democrats now controlling both chambers, that streak should continue.

Another big win in Virginia last night came from trans trailblazer Del. Danica Roem (D), who will now officially become the first out trans person in the South to serve in a state senate after winning her senate campaign. Making her victory all the more sweet, Roem defeated vocally anti-trans Republican Bill Woolf.

This is Roem’s second time making history in Virginia. In 2017, she also became the first out trans person in the state elected to the House of Delegates. She was then reelected twice.

Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson told The Hill that Roem’s win is historic for both her and Virginia, but it is also so much more.

“I think for every queer person, for every trans person, for every person of color, for anyone that’s been at the margins, it is historic for all of the gains that we’re seeing happen.”