Kannan Srinivasan, JJ Singh win Virginia state elections

Indian American candidates help Democrats maintain narrow majorities in both chambers in first elections after Trump’s victory

By Arun Kumar

Two Indian American Democrats, Kannan Srinivasan, JJ Singh won a pair of special legislative elections in Northern Virginia on Tuesday, allowing the party to maintain its narrow majorities in both chambers in the state.

The outcome of the races was no surprise. But the specials, which took place amid a snowstorm in Loudoun County that shuttered schools and workplaces, were seen as an early test of the political environment in Virginia after Donald Trump’s victory in the November presidential election.

READ: Suhas Subramanyam expands ‘Samosa Caucus’ (January 6th, 2025) 

Both parties in the state, which is hosting a major governor’s race this year, eager for clues about Republicans’ durability in a Democratic stronghold that tilted toward Trump in November, according to Politico.

In a special state Senate election, Srinivasan, currently a member of the state House, defeated Republican Tumay Harding. The seat had been vacant after Indian American Sen. Suhas Subramanyam was elected to Congress in November.

And in a special House race, Democrat JJ Singh, a former Capitol Hill aide and small-business owner, defeated Republican Ram Venkatachalam. The seat was left vacant after Srinivasan decided to run for the state Senate.

Republican Luther Cifers, who runs a kayak sales company, defeated Democrat Jack Trammell in a third special election Tuesday in a Senate district west of Richmond.

After Srinivasan and Cifers take office, Democrats will hold a 21-19 majority in the state Senate. If Democrats had lost the special election for the Loudoun County seat, control of the chamber would have gone to the Republicans, because Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears holds tiebreaking authority.

After Singh is sworn in, Democrats will maintain their 51-49 majority in the House of Delegates. A win by the Republican candidate would have resulted in a 50-50 tie.

In a statement, Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee president Heather Williams, whose group helped both of the party’s candidates in the Loudoun County races, said that “the decisive victories of Delegate-elect Singh and Senator-elect Srinivasan reinforce our Democratic majorities in Virginia and keep our critical firewall of Democratic state legislatures strong.”

Srinivasan and Singh both largely focused their races on partisan control of their chambers, reproductive rights and gun safety. Democratic lawmakers in Virginia have signaled that they’ll focus on advancing a constitutional amendment that would enshrine abortion rights.

Srinivasan, who had previously made history as the first Indian immigrant elected to the House of Delegates in Virginia stated, “This win is a victory for Loudoun, its families, and every Virginian across our Commonwealth. Tonight, we have shown that when we stand together and fight for the issues we care about, we win.

“From an immigrant to a Delegate, and now Senator-elect, I am deeply humbled by the opportunity to continue representing our community and its values,” he wrote thanking “my incredible team and the extraordinary efforts of our volunteers that drove this campaign. Their passion and hard work over the last two months were instrumental in our victory.”

“Tonight, we celebrate. Tomorrow, the 2025 Legislative Session begins and we get right back to work!” he posted on X.

The son of Indian immigrants, JJ Singh also had made history as the first turbaned Sikh to serve in the Peace Corps and has worked at the White House Office of Management and Budget during the Obama administration.

“Thank you House District 26 for putting your trust in me — I am honored to represent the community that my family calls home. I’m ready to get to Richmond and get to work fighting for our values and deliver for Southeastern Loudoun County families!” he posted on X.

The results of the special elections will also have ramifications for the final year of Republican Gov. Glenn Younkgin’s tenure and the race to succeed him.

With Democrats maintaining state legislative control, it could be more difficult for Youngkin to score any meaningful policy wins as he potentially lays the groundwork for a bid for higher.