As announced on Twitter Tuesday, Hampton Roads will have two more special elections for the General Assembly on the ballot this November. In addition to the two Senate contests – in the 1st and 5th Senate districts – will be those in House districts 77 and 93. Incumbents in both House districts have resigned effective November 21, as each is seeking election to the Senate.

Incumbent 93rd district delegate Monty Mason faces two underfunded challengers in his quest to claim the 1st Senate district seat, which became vacant due to the death of John Miller. First out of the gate – I received the email announcement nearly three hours before the governor’s tweet – was Mike Mullin, a Newport News Democrat who ran unsuccessfully for the Newport News City Council earlier this year. According to this article, a couple of Republicans are considering entering the race, including Laura Overy, who lost to Mason in 2015. The 93rd is primarily based in Newport News but also includes parts of James City County, York County, and the city of Williamsburg.

In the 77th, incumbent delegate Lionell Spruill, Sr. is unopposed for the 5th Senate district seat, which became available due to the election of Kenny Alexander as mayor. At his victory party, Spruill endorsed former Chesapeake City Council member Cliff Hayes as his successor. Unlike the 93rd, which can be a competitive district, the 77th is a minority-majority, heavily Democratic district. I’ve heard no other names mentioned for this seat, which lies mostly in Chesapeake but also includes part of Suffolk.

Per the writs, candidates have until August 19 to qualify for the House special elections. Stay tuned for more information as it becomes available.

Filed under: 2016 Elections, Hampton Roads, Local, Politics, Virginia