Former state legislator Lashrecse Aird has defeated incumbent Democratic Sen. Joe Morrissey in a closely watched primary election in Virginia that centered on abortion rights
Former state legislator Lashrecse Aird defeated incumbent, self-described “pro-life” Democrat Sen. Joe Morrissey on Tuesday in a closely watched primary election in Virginia that centered on abortion rights.
Aird, a former member of the state House of Delegates, ran a campaign heavily focused on Morrissey’s position on abortion. A veteran lawmaker and one of the most controversial figures in Virginia politics, Morrissey had expressed a willingness to vote with Republicans to enact stricter limits on abortion in Virginia sought by Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin.
Morrissey was just one of many incumbents facing spirited challenges Tuesday in an election season that’s been upended by redrawn political maps legislative candidates are running in for the first time this year.
In another high-profile race, Democrat L. Louise Lucas, a veteran legislator, defeated fellow Sen. Lionell Spruill. The race in the heavily Democratic Hampton Roads seat was one of only two featuring incumbents from the same chamber running against one another. It was marked by particularly sharp personal attacks lobbed on social media and in TV ads.
Lucas, who has served in the Senate since 1992, campaigned as a fighter. She donned boxing gloves in some ads, promising to take on Youngkin.
“MOMMA SAID KNOCK YOU OUT!” she tweeted.
In a contentious Republican contest for a southwest Virginia House seat, freshman Del. Wren Williams defeated fellow Del. Marie March. In northern Virginia, former CIA officer Russet Perry secured the Democratic nomination in a Senate seat expected to be a key battleground in the general election.
