On Tuesday, Democrat Chris Hurst won Virginia’s 12th district, unseating three-term incumbent and Republican, Joseph Yost.
Many locals knew Hurst as the regional channel 7 WDBJ evening news anchor, who stepped down from his position after his girlfriend and colleague at the station, Allison Parker, was shot and killed during a live news taping in 2015. Parker’s cameraman, Adam Ward was killed as well.
Following his victory, Hurst told the Huffington Post, “I owe the residents of southwest Virginia a debt of gratitude that I don’t think I’ll ever be able to repay. But this seems like something worthy of what they did for me.”
This Democratic victory is one of many for the state of Virginia but Hurst wanted to ensure voters that the party in which he ran under, was not one he would stand behind blindly. He opposed the construction of the Mountain Valley Pipeline, a project that House Democratic leader and Governor-elect Ralph Northam have supported.
“That actually shows his strength that he is willing to go against a Democratic governor if it hurts the constituents in his district,” house leader, David Toscano said of Hurst in July.
Hurst also ran on the platform of protecting reproductive rights, increasing funding for rural schools and expanding Medicaid by using funds from the Affordable Care Act.
However, many voters were curious about Hurst’s stance on gun violence and what he would do, considering his personal tie to the issue. CNN reported that addressing gun violence would be a priority following the large Democratic win in Virginia and that Hurst would bring the matter to the forefront.
"Every single idea that could possibly address and reduce the number of people dying from gun homicide, suicide and accidental fire deaths, I think, is finally on the table," Hurst said.