Democrat Eugene Vindman won Virginia’s most competitive congressional race on Wednesday, defeating his opponent in a blow to the GOP’s hopes of flipping the vacant House seat, the Associated Press reports.
However, NBC News has not yet projected a winner in this race.
In Virginia’s 7th District, Vindman narrowly defeated Republican Derrick Anderson after conservatives targeted the House seat. Democratic U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger, a three-term incumbent in the district, has decided to run for governor in 2025, presenting a vacancy in the contested district.
Vindman, despite being a political newcomer, developed a national profile after speaking out alongside his brother during the first impeachment trial of then-President Donald Trump.
The former Army officer focused his campaign on abortion rights and the threat of MAGA extremism in democracy. Anderson, a fellow veteran and former Green Beret, presented himself as the more affable candidate and focused his campaign on the economy.
The race between Vindman and Anderson quickly became one of the most competitive in the country, with Republicans hoping to make gains in districts where they are not facing an incumbent. The heated dispute was full of insults and barbs.
Republicans represented the district consistently for nearly 50 years until Spanberger defeated former Republican Rep. David Brat in 2018.
