VIRGINIA – In Virginia’s 7th District, Democrat Abigail A. Spanberger beat out Dave Brat in a narrow win for the U.S. House of Representatives.
The two were neck and neck as more and more precincts reported, at times each reaching 49% of the vote simultaneously. In the end, Spanberger won with 50% of the votes to Brat’s 49%.
With Republicans in control of Congress, Virginia has been a hot spot for Democrats in their race to win back House and Senate seats. On Tuesday, incumbent Republican Barbara Comstock lost to Democrat Jennifer Wexton for House Representative of District 10.
Republicans maintained the Senate on Tuesday night while Democrats were projected to take back the House.
In the 7th District, there hasn’t been a Democrat since 1971.
Republican incumbent Dave Brat, who has been in office since 2014, was endorsed by Vice President Mike Pence, while Spanberger, a former CIA operative, was endorsed by former GOP Senator John Warner.
Brat issued the following statement on Wednesday morning:
"The voters of the 7th District came out in record numbers for a mid-term election yesterday. While the registrars across the district are still reviewing the votes, it is looking like the voters have spoken in this race.
"In the face of millions and millions of dollars of money from around this country that poured into Virginia to attack my record, I stayed true to my principles and did what I told the voters I would do. I am proud of what we did to get this economy moving again. Virginians have more money in their pockets and more job opportunities at higher wages. I am also proud of my work to stop online human trafficking and to fight back against the opiod epidemic. We are also rebuilding our military, giving them a much needed raise, and have taken care of our veterans by improving their health care system. Despite the fact the media would not report it, this is a record of results, not resistance.
"I want to thank the thousands and thousands of volunteers and donors who worked tirelessly and gave sacrificially to support the principles of the Virginia Republican creed and the conservative values of our founders like James Madison. We may not have won this election, but I am truly humbled by all of the support I have received over the past four years from so many Virginians. Laura, Jonathan, Sophia and I cannot thank you enough for all your hard work, your prayers and your friendship."
