House Speaker Todd Gilbert, R-Shenandoah, issued a Writ of Election today, calling a special election to fill the House seat vacated by former Del. Mark Keam, D-Fairfax, who resigned his seat to join the Biden administration.

Speaker Gilbert issued the following statement:

“Earlier today, per my duties under the Constitution of Virginia, I issued a Writ of Election for the 35th House District, the seat vacated by our former colleague Del. Mark Keam. The Special Election will be held on January 10, 2023.

“This date not only gives the voters of the district an adequate opportunity to examine the candidates, but also ensures that the 35th District will have a voice in the 2023 Regular Session. Every Virginian has a right to have their voice heard in Richmond.

“Unfortunately, not everyone charged with the responsibility of calling special elections has recognized that fact. Following the death of Sen. Ben Chafin in 2021, former Governor Ralph Northam refused to call a special election in the 38th Senate District until the following legislative session was over.

“Holding the seat open in an effort to gain a partisan political advantage was an affront not only to the people of Southwest Virginia, but to every Virginian who believes that the over 8.5 million of us should have an equal voice in Richmond. Said simply, it was an attack on our democracy. People should always come before politics.”