Shelly Simonds, a Democrat, won a seat in the Virginia House of Delegates by one vote in a recount Tuesday.
Simonds picked up 11 votes in the recount to defeat Republican incumbent David Yancey in the race to the 94th House District race, The Virginian-Pilot reported, with the final tally being 11,608 to 11,607.
The outcome tips the balance of power in Virginia, with the single vote signifying the end of nearly 18 years of GOP control and bringing about a 50-50 split for Democrats and Republicans in the House of Delegates.
"With this critical win, Virginia Democrats will add another brick in our expanding blue wall as the DLCC and state Democrats fight back against detrimental policies peddled by the Trump administration and state Republicans," said Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee Executive Director Jessica Post, according to USA Today.
Simonds has voiced her support for the Medicaid health insurance program and has pledged to expand the service, while also campaigning for an increase in pay for teachers, BBC said.
She said the electoral result was "part of a huge wave election in Virginia where voters came out in record numbers to force a change in Virginia, and I'm really proud to be part of that change," The Washington Post noted.
"I knew it was going to be a roller-coaster ride, and the counts were going to change and votes were going to shift around. But I had faith in the system and final outcome," she added.
Ralph Northam, who beat Ed Gillespie in the state's gubernatorial race, congratulated Simonds in a post on Twitter, USA Today reported.
"Every vote matters," he said, adding that he was looking forward to partnering with Simonds to "make life better for every Virginian."
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