Overview
- With all precincts reporting, unofficial totals show Rice with 7,316 votes (62.46%) to Democrat Cheryl Smith’s 4,392 (37.50%).
- The Virginia Department of Elections lists the figures as unofficial while absentee, provisional and post‑election ballots are processed before certification.
- The contest filled the vacancy created by the February death of longtime Republican Del. Barry Knight, and Rice will serve the remainder of his term.
- Turnout was low for the special election, with 11,714 ballots cast, about 18% of registered voters in the district.
- The result keeps the Virginia Beach–area seat in GOP hands; Rice is a deputy commonwealth’s attorney and Smith is a retired educator who previously ran against Knight.