Virginia House District 97 winner: Michael Feggans

Democrat Michael Feggans declared victory in the close Virginia House District 97 race, one of the most competitive races in Hampton Roads.

Feggans, 40, ousted incumbent Del. Karen Greenhalgh, 67. He was leading at 11:45 p.m. with 53.9% of the vote. The two candidates were separated by about 2,000 votes. The Associated Press called the race for Feggans at 11:53 p.m.

The win gives Democrats a 51 seat majority in the House of Delegates.

“We knew early on that this was going to be the majority maker,” said Feggans. “That it was going to take 19 hard months to flip an incumbent.”

As he prepares to take his newly claimed seat, Feggans is ready to be a voice for all in his district — not just those who voted for him.

“You can’t take Virginia Beach voters for granted. This is a purple city, and it is going to continue to be a purple city,” he said.

Money poured in to both campaigns. As of Oct. 30, campaign finance reports from 2023 show Feggans raised $3.18 million; Greenhalgh, the Republican incumbent, raised $2.73 million.

The district includes parts of Virginia Beach and has 63,376 registered voters.

As the vote tallies started to roll in Tuesday night, music was bumping at the Democrats’ watch party at a Holiday Inn in Virginia Beach.

“Any action yet?” One woman shouted over the tunes.

“Nothing yet,” responded another.

Approximately 125 people were expected at the event hosted by Feggans and Senate District 22 candidate Aaron Rouse.

The energy was high. The only sign of nerves in the tightly contested races were the cellphones in almost everyone’s hands as they looked up live election results.

At the Republican watch party in Town Center, more than 100 supporters — many of them donning red attire — watched two projection screens showing the vote tallies.

At 9:15 p.m., Greenhalgh said she wasn’t looking at numbers yet.

“Staring at it isn’t going to change a thing,” the incumbent delegate said.

Virginia Beach Sheriff Rocky Holcomb arrived early in the evening, but later left to visit the Democrat watch party. Former Gov. Bob McDonnell, Virginia Beach Mayor Bobby Dyer, Vice Mayor Rosemary Wilson and City Councilman Michael Berlucchi also attended Greenhalgh’s watch party.

“I’d like to see Gov. Youngkin’s ideals prevail,” said Dyer. “We’ve got to get the government working together whether in the Beltway or Richmond.”

Sen. Bill DeSteph claimed victory just before 11 p.m., thanking volunteers while noting that the absentee and early votes had not yet been tallied.

Greenhalgh then took to the stage, calling up a group of teenagers who had traveled to Virginia Beach to help her campaign this week. She described the race as “neck and neck,” and had not yet conceded. She later said she was ready to go home.

Greenhalgh has served in the House since 2022 representing the 85th District. She sits on three committees: finance, education and public safety.

Feggans, a Democrat and retired U.S. Air Force veteran, has not held elected office. He is the founder of Outerbridge Technical Solutions, a cybersecurity business in Virginia Beach. Former Congresswoman Elaine Luria was among those who rallied for Feggans during this campaign season.

He identified his desire to protect abortion access in Virginia as the biggest difference between him and his opponent, citing Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s 15-week restriction proposal which Greenhalgh and many other Republicans have rallied behind.

One of Greenhalgh’s bills, which was signed into law, allowed a $500 tax deduction for educators who spend money on classroom supplies. The Virginia Education Association criticized the measure and said it would save the average teacher less than $30. Greenhalgh responded by saying it was a crucial “first step” that could be expanded upon, The Virginian-Pilot has reported.

Feggans supports enhancing teachers’ pay. He wants to help prevent gun violence by passing safe storage laws.

Cait Burchett contributed to this report.

Stacy Parker, 757-222-5125, stacy.parker@pilotonline.com