VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Democrats have taken control of the House of Delegates and defended their majority in the Senate. Several key races made this possible, one of which is heavily credited to the 97th District in Virginia Beach.
Democratic challenger Michael Feggans defeated Republican incumbent Karen Greenhalgh. According to unofficial election results, Feggans won the race with just 54% of the vote, beating out Greenhalgh's 46%.
"I am incredibly humbled to have been chosen to represent HD-97 in the Virginia House of Delegates by my neighbors in Virginia Beach," Feggans said in a statement declaring victory Tuesday night. "Virginia Beach has given me so much, whether it be the public education I received at Tallwood High School, or the relationships I have developed with fellow veterans in the military community here. I entered this race because I knew that the best way for me to give back to the community that raised me was by serving them in the General Assembly. To be selected to do just that is a dream come true for this kid from West Kempsville."
Feggans' victory marks a House seat flipping from Republican to Democratic control. Greenhalgh was first elected to the House of Delegates in 2021 and largely campaigned for re-election on addressing the cost of living.
This election marks an incredibly close race where the stakes for control were high. Voters told 13News Now they voted based on the issues most important to them.
"Freedom of women's bodies is the first for me," said one voter. "It's been a struggle in the past we've come forward, we've gone back two steps back, two steps forward and it's important for us to stand our ground."
"As a mom of five, gun control was probably most important to me," said another. "We need to make sure legislation is keeping it in safe people's hands!"
Feggans largely campaigned on protecting abortion rights and increasing funding for public schools. He is an Air Force veteran who served in the military for 20 years. He also interned with Democratic U.S. Senator Mark Warner and later became a small tech business owner.
On Tuesday, Feggans celebrated his win and posted to social media and said, "The results are bigger than me."
Voters said Tuesday night's results showed the power of their voices.
"I know it's more popular to vote in the big elections, but I feel like there is more impact in the local state ones," said one voter. "It just goes to show how even when you think it doesn't count, it does."
Following the redistricting of Virginia, District 97 covers parts of Virginia Beach, such as the Kempsville, Princess Anne, Larkspur, and Pembroke areas.
The district is comprised of a more than 57% white demographic and about a 20% Black demographic, according to the Virginia Public Access Project.
VPAP reports voters in this district voted mainly for Democratic candidates in recent state and federal elections, except for when the people voted slightly in favor of Gov. Glenn Youngkin in 2021.
13News Now reached out to Greenhalgh who has not conceded the election, and did not respond.