AP: Kamala Harris projected winner in Virginia

VIRGINIA, USA — Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris is the projected winner of Virginia’s 13 electoral votes, according to the Associated Press. 

The vice president is also the projected winner in Maryland and D.C. Of the three localities in the DMV, Virginia is the only one that has become somewhat of a swing state in the 21st century. 

As one of the 13 original colonies, the commonwealth has participated in every presidential election except the 1864 and 1868 elections due to secession. Harris’ win in Virginia marks the fifth in a row for Democrats – with Joe Biden winning over Trump by 10% in 2020 -- but until Barack Obama won the state in 2008, it had not gone blue since 1948.  

From 1952 through 2004, Virginia was reliably Republican, save for the landslide victory of Lyndon Johnson over Barry Goldwater in 1964. Obama’s 6% margin of victory over John McCain marked a turning point for the state, though his win over Mitt Romney in 2012 narrowed to just 4%. Hillary Clinton continued the trend in 2016, with a 5% win over Trump in Virginia, though she went on to lose the election.  

There are 538 electoral votes up for grabs in the election. At least 270 would put a candidate at more than 50% of the electoral vote. There has never been a 269-269 tie. If no candidate reaches 270, the presidency would be decided by the House members who are sworn in on Jan. 3. Each state's House delegation would have one combined vote. If a majority of states go to one candidate, that candidate will be president.