Virginia is holding the first special election of the year in what is being billed as a test for Democratic enthusiasm ahead of the state’s gubernatorial race later this year.

Democrats are widely expected to hold a state House and state Senate seat in Loudoun County outside of Washington, D.C., while Republicans are expected to hold a Senate seat outside of Richmond.

Virginia Del. Kannan Srinivasan (D) is facing off against Republican Tumay Harding in the 32nd Senate District, which was previously held by now-Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (D). Meanwhile, Democrat JJ Singh is going up against Republican Ram Venkatachalam for Srinivasan’s seat in the 26th state House district. In the 10th Senate district, Republican Luther Cifers and Democrat Jack Trammell are both hoping to fill now-Rep. John McGuire’s (R-Va.) former seat.

Democrats hold small majorities in both of Virginia’s legislative chambers. In the likely scenario that Republicans keep the 10th Senate district seat, a loss in either or both of the Loudoun County-area seats could throw the party’s grip on power in Richmond into jeopardy.

But the special elections are........

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