Republican Tammy Brankley Mulchi Prevails in Virginia State Senate District 9

The special election was called following the resignation of State Senator Frank Ruff (R).

The special election occurred today to fill a vacancy in the Virginia State Senate. This is the first special election in 2024 for the state’s upper legislative chamber. The Democratic and Republican candidates were chosen by local party leaders.

The special election for Virginia State Senate District 9 was called following the resignation of State Senator Frank Ruff, a Republican, after being diagnosed with cancer. He represented this district from December 2000 to January 2024. Ruff was just re-elected unopposed in November 2023 but won’t be sworn in to the new four-year term.

Republican Tammy Brankley Mulchi has been declared the winner in the special election. The race was called in her favor as she’s currently leading with 63.9% against Democrat Tina Wyatt Younger with 36.1%. 19,686 votes have been counted.

Mulchi previously served as Legislative Chief of Staff to Senator Ruff from January 1994 to December 2006. Since September 2017, she has been a licensed realtor in Clarksville, Virginia. She has owned Integrity Property Transformations, LLC since January 2022.

Younger served on the South Boston Town Council from June 2012 to July 2020. She held the role of Vice Mayor from July 2018 to July 2020.

Virginia State Senate District 9 covers Pittsylvania, Halifax, Mecklenburg, Nottoway, Lunenburg and Charlotte Counties as well as parts of Prince Edward and Danville Counties. 

Once Mulchi is sworn-in, Democrats will maintain control of the Virginia State Senate with a 21-19 majority against Republicans. During the November 2023 elections, Democrats held control of the State Senate and flipped the House of Delegates. All 40 seats in the State Senate will next be up for regular four-year terms in November 2027.