Special election secures GOP control of Va. legislature

The results are expected to hamper efforts by Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe to expand Medicaid.

The Washington Post: GOP Win In Southwest Virginia Senate Race Secures Republican Control Of Legislature
Republican A. Benton Chafin Jr. won a state Senate seat Tuesday that secured GOP control of the General Assembly, , dimming Gov. Terry McAuliffe's legislative prospects .... The Senate election was the most important of the day given its impact on Richmond's upper chamber. Republicans already dominate the House, so the GOP victory in the Senate put the General Assembly fully in the hands of a party that opposes the Democratic governor's top policy aims (Vozzella and Robinson, 8/19).

The Associated Press: Republican Wins Special Va. State Senate Race
The seat was previously held by conservative Democrat Phil Puckett. His abrupt resignation in June gave control of the Senate to Republicans, who used their new leverage to prevail against McAuliffe in a monthslong showdown over whether the state budget should include Medicaid expansion. A possible job offer to Puckett by the GOP-controlled Virginia tobacco commission at the time of his resignation is the subject of an FBI investigation (8/19).