Virginia voters shift toward Democrats in Richmond area midterm races

Virginia voters showed a notable shift toward Democratic candidates in the 2026 midterm elections, including in areas around Richmond, according to a Virginia Commonwealth University political scientist interviewed by WTVR CBS 6.

John Aughenbaugh, a VCU political scientist, noted that Democratic challengers outperformed their 2024 results in much of Virginia's 1st, 2nd, and 5th Congressional Districts, which include parts of the Richmond metropolitan area. He said about 90 to 95 percent of local governments within these districts voted for Democrats at a higher percentage than in 2024.

This shift was significant because it appeared even in traditionally Republican strongholds. At the time of the interview on Election Day, Democratic challengers were slightly ahead in the 1st and 2nd Congressional Districts, with the 5th District race also highly competitive.

In addition to congressional races, Virginia voters approved a constitutional amendment to protect abortion rights, establishing a fundamental right to reproductive freedom in the state constitution, as reported by The Associated Press and WTVR CBS 6.

Local news outlets WRIC 8News and WTVR CBS 6 provided ongoing coverage of the election results as they developed throughout the evening.