Virginia's 85th House of Delegates district

District map from the 2023 election

Virginia's 85th House of Delegates district elects one of 100 seats in the Virginia House of Delegates, the lower house of the state's bicameral legislature. District 85 represents part of Virginia Beach, including the neighborhoods of Larkspur, Aragona, Mt. Trashmore, Fairfield and Arrowhead.[1] The seat is currently held by Marcia Price.

Elections

2017

Special election

Outgoing delegate Scott Taylor was required to resign his seat in the House of Delegates upon his election to the United States House of Representatives in Virginia's 2nd Congressional district. A special election was held on January 10, 2017, between sheriff deputy Rocky Holcomb and local science teacher Cheryl Turpin. Holcomb defeated Turpin with 52.8% of the vote to Turpin's 47.05%.[2]

General election

The following November, Holcomb and Turpin faced each other again during Virginia's general election. Turpin defeated Holcomb with 50.73% of the vote to Holcomb's 49.06%.[3]

2019

Outgoing delegate Cheryl Turpin declined to seek reelection in order to run for Virginia's 7th Senate district.[4] Former delegate Rocky Holcomb sought to reclaim his former seat but was defeated by Democrat Alex Askew by a margin of 51.7% to 48.3%.[5]

District officeholders

Years Delegate Party Electoral history
January 12, 1983
–
January 11, 1984 		Julie Leonard Smith Democratic First delegate of district
January 11, 1984
–
January 8, 2014 		Bob Tata Republican Declined to run for re-election
January 8, 2014
–
January 3, 2017 		Scott Taylor Republican Resigned; Elected to the US House of Representatives
January 11, 2017
–
January 10, 2018 		Rocky Holcomb Republican Elected via special election; Defeated in bid for re-election
January 10, 2018
–
January 8, 2020 		Cheryl Turpin Democratic Declined to run for re-election; Defeated in bid for Virginia's 7th Senate district
January 8, 2020
–
January 12, 2022 		Alex Askew Democratic Lost re-election bid
January 12, 2022
–
January 10, 2024 		Karen Greenhalgh Republican First elected in 2021. Redistricted to the 97th district where she lost reelection.
January 10, 2024
–
present 		Marcia Price Democratic First elected in 2023. Redistricted from the 95th district.

References

  1. ^ "Rocky Holcomb wins Virginia Beach House race". WAVY-TV. January 10, 2017. Retrieved November 12, 2017.
  2. ^ "2017 January GA Specials". Results.Elections.Virginia.gov. Retrieved November 12, 2017.
  3. ^ Hankerson, Mechelle (November 8, 2017). "Republican Rocky Holcomb, who lost Virginia Beach's 85th House race, may seek a recount". Virginian-Pilot. Retrieved November 12, 2017.
  4. ^ Albiges, Marie (November 7, 2019). "Democrat Cheryl Turpin concedes to Republican Jen Kiggans". Virginian-Pilot. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
  5. ^ "Virginia election House of Delegates results | The Washington Post". Washington Post. November 6, 2019. Retrieved November 8, 2019.