There were several notable candidates who won elections . Democratic candidate Chris Hurst , whose girlfriend was murdered on live television in 2015 , defeated Republican incumbent and National Rifle Association-supported Joseph Yost in the 12th district . In the 13th district , Democratic candidate Danica Roem defeated Republican incumbent Bob Marshall to become the first openly transgender candidate to be elected and serve in a state legislative body in the United States . In the 21st and 42nd districts , respectively , Democratic candidates Kelly Fowler and Kathy Tran became the first Asian American women elected to the House of Delegates after defeating Republican incumbent Ron Villanueva and candidate Lolita Mancheno-Smoak . Democratic candidates Elizabeth Guzmán and Hala Ayala defeated Republican incumbents Scott Lingamfelter and Richard Anderson in the 31st and 51st districts , respectively , to also become the first two Hispanic women elected to the House of Delegates . In the 50th district , Lee Carter , the Democratic candidate and a self-described democratic socialist , defeated Republican incumbent and House Majority Whip Jackson Miller . Democratic candidate Dawn M. Adams became the first openly lesbian candidate to be elected to the House of Delegates after defeating Republican incumbent G. Manoli Loupassi in the 68th district
murdered on live television
Murders of Alison Parker and Adam Ward
2017 Virginia House of Delegates election