PETERSBURG, Va. β Democrat Kimberly Pope Adams has won Virginia's 82nd House District seat, defeating Republican incumbent Kim Taylor by an overwhelming majority two years after losing the same race by less than 100 votes.
CBS 6 Senior Reporter Wayne Covil was the only television reporter present when the delegate-elect walked into her watch party to thunderous applause and screams from supporters.
"This is surreal. This is surreal," Pope Adams said as she entered the celebration.
The victory marks a dramatic turnaround from 2023, when Pope Adams lost to Taylor by a narrow margin. She said she never stopped campaigning after that defeat.
"I knew I had done everything I could but to, so it, so decisively with the voters is just, I'm speechless. I'm so grateful," Pope Adams said.
Pope Adams attributed her decisive victory to voters' desire for change in the district.
"They came out because they're ready for change. They're ready for change and they know they can trust me to give it to them," Pope Adams said.
The delegate-elect said she plans to begin work immediately on her campaign promises.
"It's time. It's time for us to get things done. It's time for us to be clear eyed and mission focused and the work starts tomorrow," Pope Adams said.
Pope Adams said the Democratic victories across the Commonwealth on election night demonstrate that people are ready for change at all levels of government.
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