Former Richmond Delegate Mike Jones is returning to the General Assembly as a state senator after winning Tuesday’s special election in Virginia’s 15th Senate District, a Democratic-leaning seat left open last year when Ghazala Hashmi stepped down.
By 8 p.m., Jones had defeated Republican John Thomas by a margin of 67.8-32% out of 15,409 votes cast, according to unofficial election results, securing a seat that stretches across much of Richmond and parts of Chesterfield County.
Jones defeated Republican John Thomas in the contest to succeed Ghazala Hashmi, who was elected Virginia’s lieutenant governor in November 2025.
Democrats were favored to win the district, which former Vice President Kamala Harris carried by 30 points in 2024. Still, Jones’s victory matters because the party holds a narrow 21–19 edge in the chamber and needs every seat as it advances constitutional amendments on redistricting, reproductive rights, and other key issues.
The win is also expected to boost Democratic momentum following a series of recent victories and strong showings, including in Virginia, where the party flipped the governor’s mansion.
“Dr. Jones’ victory tonight is yet another proof point that Democrats — who remain focused on lowering costs for families — have the momentum across the country,” Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin said in a statement. “In election after election, voters are rejecting Donald Trump and his unaffordable, out-of-touch agenda and are instead putting their faith in Democrats who will fight for working families instead of billionaires.”
Jones’s win quickly set off a down-ballot outcome as well. In House District 77, the Richmond-based seat he left to seek the Senate post, Democrat Charlie Schmidt captured a special election Tuesday, defeating Republican Richard Stonage 76.5% to 23.4% among 5,970 votes cast. Schmidt will serve out the remainder of Jones’s unexpired House term.
