‘A Blue Tsunami Is Coming’: Internet Celebrates After Virginia Democrat Beats GOP Incumbent By One Vote

Four weeks after a historic blue wave propelled Democrats to sweeping electoral victories across the country, a race for the Virginia House of Delegates garnered, even more, media attention Tuesday after a recount declared Democrat Shelly Simonds the winner of her seat by a single vote over the GOP incumbent.

Yes, every vote counts. Simonds win shifts the balance of power in the House of Delegates out of Republicans’ hands for the first time in 18 years — and naturally, Twitter was in a celebratory mood.

Simonds fellow candidate for the Virginia House, Elizabeth Miller, pointed out the significance of the single-vote win.

One. Vote. Was it your vote? Did you knock on the door that got that vote? Did you make the phone call that got that vote? Remember this win every time you’re asked to do just a little more, because that little bit more can make the difference #EveryVoteCounts @shelly_simonds

— Elizabeth Miller (@DoorbellQn) December 19, 2017

“Never let anyone tell you your vote doesn’t matter,” Planned Parenthood’s Cecile Richards tweeted in response to the news.

Never let anyone tell you one vote doesn’t matter. https://t.co/Zg1VR2jBsW

— Cecile Richards (@CecileRichards) December 19, 2017

The rest internet joined in to celebrate the important victory. Check out some of the reactions:

Shelly Simonds celebrating outside. pic.twitter.com/YiPzCJfTqq

— Reema Amin (@reemadamin) December 19, 2017

Congratulations to my amiga @shelly_simonds on her win today! She is Delegate-elect now! Welcome to the @VAHouseDems ! pic.twitter.com/3Z3j6UGb3v

— Delegate-Elect Elizabeth Guzman (@guzman4delegate) December 19, 2017

Goes to show that one vote can make or break someone's victory or defeat. https://t.co/q72OEZ1VuC

— Fire Dom Capers…a long time ago (@SariLinkGaming) December 19, 2017

Once certified, a Simonds victory would mean SIXTEEN pick-ups for Democrats in VA.

This is what a wave election looks like. Let's make 2018 a tsunami across the country. #VAelection #VApol https://t.co/TLI8pIYPTx

— BoldProgressives.org (@BoldProgressive) December 19, 2017

Congratulations @shelly_simonds – I look forward to serving with you and working with our colleagues in the #VA House of Delegates to ensure that our Commonwealth is a place where all can thrive. #EveryVoteCounts https://t.co/4hwfnXaN8U

— Kathy Tran (@KathyKLTran) December 19, 2017

ARE YOU KIDDING ME – this is amazing. Literally a single constituent's vote determines this Virginia House Delegate seat, and wrests control of the House from the GOP. This was an Indivisible target, but a long shot nonetheless. Bravo @_AliciaJones17 + team. WHEN WE FIGHT WE WIN. https://t.co/hCazgwu1qR

— Ezra TrumpTaxScam.org Levin (@ezralevin) December 19, 2017

For 18 years, Democrats have not controlled the Virginia House of Delegates.

In one cycle, they went from a 66-34 minority to what looks like a 50-50 split, meaning a majority with the new Dem Lt. Gov.

By literally one vote.

Every. Vote. Counts. https://t.co/WNCKjG963c

— Charlotte Clymer🏳️‍🌈 (@cmclymer) December 19, 2017

If you know anyone who doesn't participate in the voting process because they think their vote doesn't matter, show them this…#EveryVoteMatters https://t.co/Wg2oRg7rLJ

— The Muslim Marine🕊 (@MuslimMarine) December 19, 2017

I wonder if there's a better demonstration of this principle than the fact that thousands of Virginians may get health care in part because of the 50-50 VA House made possible by a seat won by one. single. vote.

If there is, I can't think of it. #everyvotecounts https://t.co/dDYsibvhju

— Adam Jentleson (@AJentleson) December 19, 2017

Morning Edition will have that one person on for an interview tomorrow. Tune in! https://t.co/i4AftPHBeP

— Phil Harrell (@PhilHarrellNPR) December 19, 2017

Virginia House of Delegates:
The current final tally:

Shelly Simonds (D)—11,608 votes
David Yancey (R)—11,607 votes pic.twitter.com/iLZFAHNIeD

— Publimetro (@Publimetro) December 19, 2017

BREAKING: After a very close recount from November’s election, @shelly_simonds has officially won the election in HD94 – BY ONE VOTE – flipping the seat from red to blue. Congratulations, Shelly! pic.twitter.com/Du9V8DrcTt

— DLCC (@TheDLCC) December 19, 2017