"Virginia Primary Election: Key Upsets and Controversies"

Virginia's primary election saw a historic number of state lawmakers ousted, with at least 15 new members in the 40-member Senate. Republicans nominated center-right or pragmatic candidates over far-right hardliners, while Democrats faced more primaries and ended up with more turnover, including the ouster of several moderate members. Abortion rights were in the spotlight, with Lashrecse Aird defeating incumbent and "pro-life" Democrat Sen. Joe Morrissey. Both parties quickly shifted their focus to the general election battle, with each side portraying the other as extremist.