In Richmond, Youngkin to face 'the Senate Democratic Alamo'

Republican Glenn Youngkin spent months talking to voters about his plans to roll back Democrats’ “left, liberal, progressive agenda.”

RICHMOND, Va -- Republican Glenn Youngkin spent months talking to voters about his plans to roll back Democrats' “left, liberal, progressive agenda." When he takes office in January as Virginia next's governor, he'll need to talk to Senate Democrats about that.

Youngkin's victory was part of a Republican sweep on election night that saw the GOP retake Virginia's two other statewide offices and likely flip control of the state House. But in the Senate, where no one was up for election this year, Democrats will still have a narrow majority.

“We’re the Senate Democratic Alamo,” said one Democratic member, Scott Surovell.

Days after Youngkin's defeat of Terry McAuliffe, a former governor and longtime Democratic Party fundraiser, conversations in Richmond pivoted from campaign rhetoric to rosy talk of bipartisanship, with elected officials in both parties expressing hope that next year’s legislative session will provide opportunity to find common ground. Youngkin is reaching out by phone to Democrats and Republicans and planning to meet with Senate lawmakers at a finance retreat later this month, according to Senate Minority Leader Tommy Norment. He also joined outgoing Gov. Ralph Northam for lunch, and gave public remarks suggesting he might turn to the Democrat with questions.