NORFOLK, Va. — Democrat Angelia Williams Graves has secured her seat in the Virginia General Assembly representing Senate District 21, which is largely comprised of the city of Norfolk.
Preliminary election results Tuesday evening show Graves leads with 78% of the votes so far.
Graves ran against Independent Giovanni "Gio" Dolmo, who previously ran as the Republican candidate for Virginia House of Delegates District 89 in 2021.
As of 9:20 a.m. Wednesday, Dolmo held just 22% of the vote in the 2023 election.
"I will say more tomorrow. But just know that I am grateful and I THANK YOU ALL," Graves wrote in a Facebook post late Tuesday night.
Since 2021, Graves has served in Virginia's House of Delegates District 90. Prior to that, between 2010 and 2021, she served on Norfolk City Council.
Graves prioritized gun safety during her campaign, previously telling 13News Now that she wanted to see more legislation aimed at addressing gun violence.
Dolmo, a disabled veteran and local preacher, told 13News Now that he wants to see families, specifically fathers, more involved in their community, which he claims is necessary to minimizing violence.
Following Graves' victory, Dolmo conceded the race, saying he would "continue the good fight in serving as a Pastor and a father."
"The City of Norfolk has spoken very loudly," Dolmo wrote. "Being authentic was the best part of running. I pray the Lord will help our new leaders make Godly decisions."
The district stretches across much of the city of Norfolk, from Campostella through downtown to Willoughby Bay and parts of Ocean View.
The 21st Senate District has strongly supported Democratic candidates in recent elections, with at least 70% of registered voters in the district voting blue in the past five years, the Virginia Public Access Project (VPAP) reports.
Graves will be sworn in on January 10, when the 2024 session of the Virginia General Assembly convenes.
This is Virginia's first election since legislative district maps were redrawn based on 2020 census data. 13News Now is tracking election results here as all 140 seats in the state's General Assembly are at stake.
