Republican Rice Wins Virginia District 98 Special Election

Republican Andrew Rice secured a decisive victory in a special election for Virginia's House of Delegates District 98 on Tuesday, defeating Democrat Cheryl Smith by 25 percentage points in a district long held by the GOP.

With all votes counted, Rice received 7,316 votes, or 62.5 percent, while Smith garnered 4,392 votes, or 37.5 percent, according to results from the Virginia Department of Elections. The election, which saw about 18 percent voter turnout and more than 11,700 ballots cast, filled the vacancy left by the death last month of longtime Republican Delegate Barry Knight. Knight had represented the Virginia Beach-area district for over a decade, winning reelection in 2025 with 56.6 percent against Smith, who received 43.2 percent that year.

Rice, a deputy commonwealth's attorney in Virginia Beach and a lifelong resident of the district, advanced to the general election after defeating five other Republicans in a February firehouse primary. Speaking to reporters after the results were certified early Wednesday, Rice expressed gratitude to voters. "I'm so thankful for their support and I can't wait to get to work for them in Richmond," he said. During his campaign, Rice...