Jeremy McPike kept the 29th District Virginia seat firmly in the hands of Democrats Tuesday night.
His 16-point victory over Republican Manassas Mayor Hal Parrish clears the way for first-time elected official to go to Richmond and replace the long-serving Charles "Chuck" Colgan, the state's longest-serving senator who retired this year at age 89.
The win marked an expensive victory for McPike, as his campaign spent nearly $3 million compared to the Parrish campaign that reported nearly $1.2 million in expenditures. Much of it was spent on online and digital media advertising.
In the adjacent 36th District Virginia Senate race that saw Democrat Scott Surovell get a win over Republican Jerry Foreman, both candidates spent a combined $604,000.
McPike posted early gains as the election returns began to roll in Tuesday night by winning all four precincts in Manassas Park. The numbers briefly turned in Parrish's favor before turning back to McPike, as Parrish won his home city of Manassas and did well in western Prince William County precincts.
McPike picked up more votes, especially in precincts surrounding Manassas, and in the heavily populated eastern side of the Prince William County in the Dale City and Woodbridge areas. McPike won his home precinct of Rosa Parks in Dale City by more than 24 points.
"Wa have so much to work on together," said McPike during his victory speech. "This is all about making sure Virginia's future is one of commonality and how we work together to build together to build better things."
Among McPike's goals are more funding for pre-K education, helping more students leverage the opportunities of community college and apprenticeships to find careers, and Medicaid expansion.
"We still 400,000 people who deserve coverage who do not have it," said McPike.
Republicans will keep control of the Virginia Senate following Tuesday's Election. Democrats had hoped a win in the 29th, and a win in the 10th District in Richmond would make a Democratic majority. Republican Glen Sturtevant, Jr. beat Democrat Daniel Gecker, and now 21 Republicans will control the Senate to the Democrat's 19.
McPike called his opponent Parrish a gracious man during his campaign victory speech. The Republican called to concede before McPike making his speech, said McPike. The victor went on to thank his wife Sharon, and three daughters Emily, Erin, and Sarah.
McPike also thanked the father of slain Roanoke TV journalist Alison Parker, 24, who along with cameraman Adam Ward, 27, was shot to death on live TV by a former co-worker on August 26.
"To Barbara and Andy Parker, who, just shortly after tragedy stepped up to be a voice for change even after just after just moments, hours, days after losing their daughter in a very public and violent, tragic death of their daughter," said McPike. "Andy, to have the courage to do this, I don't know where you found it."
"It's called Alison is with us here tonight... she would want to be here," replied Andy Parker, who stood behind McPike during his victory speech.
The Parkers began advocating for stricter gun control laws shortly after their daughter's murder. The Parkers appeared with McPike at a campaign event in Woodbridge just before Election Day.
McPike, along with a host of other newly elected officials will be sworn in time for the 2016 General Assembly session that begins Wednesday, January 13.
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