What the special elections in Virginia reveal about the upcoming general elections in 2025 and 2026.

In Virginia's legislature, Democrats maintained their slim majority by winning two out of three special elections on Tuesday, marking the first ballot box contest of 2025.

The political world closely watched the contests as the first indication of voter sentiment since President-elect Trump's November victory, which also saw Republicans gain control of the Senate and maintain their slim House majority.

The upcoming primary elections in Virginia and New Jersey, as well as the midterm elections in Congress, are considered early indicators of high-profile gubernatorial and congressional races later on.

In northern Virginia, the Democrats were predicted by the Associated Press to win both special elections in Loudon County.

Democrat Kannan Srinivasan won the special state Senate election, defeating Republican Tumay Harding. The seat was vacant after Democratic state Sen. Suhas Subramanyam was elected to Congress in November.

In the special state House race to fill Srinivasan's vacant seat, JJ Singh, a small business owner and former congressional aide, emerged victorious over Republican Ram Venkatachalam.

In recent years, Loudon County, located near the metropolitan area surrounding the nation's capital, has been at the center of the national debate over bathroom policy for transgender students and their participation in female sports.

Over the past decade, Loudon County, which was once a Republican stronghold, has shifted towards the Democrats as its population has grown rapidly. In November's presidential election, Vice President Kamala Harris won the county easily, while Trump made significant gains compared to his previous performance.

In a state Senate district west of Richmond, Virginia, Democrat Jack Trammell lost to Republican Luther Cifers in the third special election on Tuesday.

In June, U.S. Rep. Bob Good lost a contentious GOP primary to state Sen. John McGuire, who won election to Congress with Trump's support.

Despite Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin's efforts, Democrats will maintain their slim majority in both the Virginia Senate and House of Delegates during his final year in office.

In 2021, Youngkin, a first-time Republican candidate from the party's business wing, energized Republicans nationwide and won the gubernatorial election in Virginia, a one-time swing state that had trended towards the Democrats over the previous decade, defeating former Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe.

Since Virginia law prohibits governors from serving two consecutive four-year terms, Youngkin cannot run for re-election next year.

Only two states in the US hold gubernatorial elections the year after a presidential election, and both receive significant national attention. Virginia, in particular, is viewed as a predictor of the national political climate and public opinion about the party in the White House.