The party held onto two key seats in Loudoun County that will allow them to maintain control of the state’s legislature.

Special elections for a pair of seats in the state legislature could affect the Democratic majority in the state House and state Senate.

Democrat JJ Singh defeated Republican Ram Venkatachalam in the House’s 26th District election. With over 95% of the vote counted, Singh led Venkatachalam 61.6% to 38.4%, according to the New York Times. Singh’s victory ensured the party would control the state House, giving the Democrats a slim lead over the GOP, 51-49.

Two months after Democrats were locked out of power at the federal level, a pair of special elections in a part of northern Virginia where Donald Trump dramatically improved his performance in November will offer the first signs of how voters view the political landscape as the president-elect prepares to return to office.

Virginia is holding the first special election of the year in what is being billed as a test for Democratic enthusiasm ahead of the state’s gubernatorial race later this year. Democrats are widely expected to hold a state House and state Senate seat in Loudoun County outside of Washington,

Voters cast ballots in portions of Loudoun County for two special elections Tuesday.  Early voting has happened for weeks. A House and Senate seat are up for grabs as the Virginia legislature gears up for its 2025 session.