• Democrat Mike Jones captured Virginia Senate seat by 35-point margin, preserving party’s legislative control
• Iris Sanchez won Connecticut House race by 2-1 margin in heavily Democratic New Britain district
• South Carolina race heads to automatic recount after Democrat lost by just 21 votes in Republican stronghold

RICHMOND, VA (TDR) — Democrats notched decisive victories in the first special elections of 2026 on Tuesday, with commanding wins in Virginia and Connecticut while coming within 21 votes of an upset in a deep-red South Carolina district, signaling potential momentum heading into the 2026 midterm elections.

Mike Jones, a Democrat, overwhelmed Republican challenger John Thomas with 67.8% of the vote in Virginia Senate District 15, a 35-point margin that exceeded expectations in the Richmond-area seat. In Connecticut, Iris Sanchez defeated Jamie Vaughan by approximately 2-1 in House District 25, cementing Democratic control of the New Britain seat.

Jones Victory Preserves Virginia Legislative Control

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Jones, who previously represented House District 77, will replace Ghazala Hashmi, who resigned the Senate seat after winning election as Virginia’s lieutenant governor in November. The victory preserves Democrats’ slim 21-19 majority in the Virginia Senate as lawmakers prepare for the 2026 session.

“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.

Martin emphasized the electoral trend represents a rejection of President Donald Trump’s agenda.

“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.”

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The Richmond district voted for Vice President Kamala Harris by 30 points in 2024, making it heavily Democratic territory. However, the seat’s importance grew because Democrats need every vote to advance constitutional amendments on redistricting, reproductive rights and other priorities.

Charlie Schmidt, a Democrat, simultaneously won Jones’ vacated House seat with 76.5% of the vote, defeating Richard Stonage in House District 77. The twin victories ensure Democrats maintain their trifecta control of Virginia government alongside Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger, who takes office January 17.

Connecticut Victory Maintains House Majority

In New Britain, Connecticut, Sanchez cruised to victory with nearly twice as many votes as Vaughan, winning fewer than 600 total ballots cast in the low-turnout special election.

The 50-year-old Puerto Rico native, who serves as assistant majority leader on the New Britain Common Council, will replace Bobby Sanchez (no relation), who resigned after winning election as New Britain’s mayor in November. Bobby Sanchez first won the legislative seat in a 2011 special election.

“Congratulations to CT’s newest State Rep — Iris Sánchez! Her special election win tonight gets 2026 off to a great start!” the Connecticut Democratic Party declared on social media Tuesday evening.

The victory maintains Democrats’ overwhelming 101-49 advantage in the Connecticut House, with one remaining vacancy to be filled next week in House District 139 following the death of Rep. Kevin Ryan.

South Carolina Near-Upset Triggers Automatic Recount

The night’s most dramatic result came in South Carolina House District 98, where Republican Greg Ford holds a razor-thin lead over Democrat Sonja Ogletree-Satani by just 21 votes out of 3,442 cast.

Ford finished with 50.23% (1,728 votes) compared to Ogletree-Satani’s 49.62% (1,707 votes) in the Dorchester County district northwest of Charleston. Under South Carolina law, the margin triggers an automatic recount as it falls within 1 percentage point.

The result shocked political observers because Republican Chris Murphy won the same seat by 14 points (57%-43%) against Ogletree-Satani just two months ago in November 2024. Murphy resigned effective January 5, triggering Tuesday’s special election.

“That is way too close,” Ford acknowledged after all precincts reported, adding his campaign team was investigating the results.

Ogletree-Satani, a retired U.S. Air Force veteran, educator and small business owner, declined to concede pending the recount.

“It’s not over,” she told the SC Daily Gazette, vowing to run again regardless of the final outcome.

Democrats Point to 2025 Special Election Dominance

Tuesday’s results continue a pattern from 2025, when Democrats won or overperformed in 229 of 257 key special elections throughout the year, according to DNC data. The party flipped Virginia’s governorship with Spanberger’s victory and maintained or expanded legislative majorities in multiple states.

Senate Majority Leader Lamont Bagby (D-Henrico), chair of the Democratic Party of Virginia, called Tuesday’s results “two more crucial wins” for the party.

“Senator-elect Jones has already shown what it means to lead with results, integrity, and a deep commitment to the people he serves both in his faith work and his elected positions — delivering real progress and tangible results for our community,” Bagby said in a statement.

The South Carolina near-upset particularly energized Democrats, as the party came within 0.61 percentage points of flipping a seat in a state where Republicans hold an 87-36 advantage in the House of Representatives.

Will the South Carolina recount change the outcome and give Democrats an unexpected pickup in Republican territory?

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