RICHMOND, Va. (Diya TV) — Two Indian American men helped Virginia Democrats to maintain their majority in the State Senate and House of Delegates on Tuesday after winning key special elections in Loudoun County.

Democrat Kannan Srinivasan defeated Republican Tumay Harding in the contest for the State Senate’s 10th District seat, left vacant by Suhas Subramanyam after he was elected to Congress in November. Srinivasan campaigned on reproductive rights and healthcare issues; he was the first Indian American immigrant to be elected to the Virginia House of Delegates.

In an overlapping House of Delegates district, Democrat JJ Singh won over Republican Ram Venkatachalam to fill Srinivasan’s seat that the Democrat is vacating in pursuit of a seat in the State Senate. 

The win holds for Democrats a 20-18 margin in the State Senate and sets them up to enter the 2025 session of the House of Delegates with their tenuous 50-49 margin intact.

Tuesday’s elections came with high stakes, as Democrats looked to rebuff Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin in his final year in office. The Democratic National Committee celebrated the results, emphasizing their significance for safeguarding reproductive rights and expanding voting access.

“Virginia voters rejected Republican extremism,” Democratic Party of Virginia Chairwoman Susan Swecker said. “These victories ensure we can continue passing legislation that benefits all Virginians.