ALEXANDRIA, VA – Republican Jeff McWaters is headed to the Virginia Senate with an overwhelming victory tonight. McWaters takes the open 8th district seat that was represented by Ken Stolle prior to his election as Virginia Beach Sheriff in November. With this special election win, 36 Republicans have won state legislative special elections across the country since November 2008. Republicans have also gained 11 seats previously held by Democrats in special elections during this time. The Republican State Leadership Committee, the nation’s largest caucus of Republican state leaders, congratulated McWaters for his strong victory in this Hampton Roads district in Virginia.

“Jeff McWaters offered a clear vision of fiscal responsibility and economic growth that attracted not only Republicans, but Independents and Democrats as well, to our winning cause,” said Republican State Leadership Committee (RSLC) President Scott Ward. “McWaters understands taxpayers are the owners of the government – and that the government ought to let individuals determine their destiny rather than government gimmicks that reduce their freedoms. McWaters will be a strong voice in the Virginia Senate for these principles.”

The Republican State Leadership Committee (RSLC) is the only national organization whose mission is electing Republicans to the office of Attorney General, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State and State Legislator. In 2009, Republicans swept all three offices in the Commonwealth of Virginia for the second time in state history and increased the Republican majority by six seats. Over the last year, Republicans have won 36 special elections for the state legislature from New Hampshire to Washington State and every region of country. During the 2008 elections, the RSLC helped maintain the number of Republican Attorneys General and Lieutenant Governors; and delivered new Republican majorities in the Montana, Oklahoma and Tennessee state senates, as well as an unprecedented majority in the Tennessee House of Representatives.

The RSLC has over 80,000 donors from all 50 states supporting the RSLC’s goals to pursue a pro-growth agenda, including reforming the tax code, healthcare and legal systems; promoting a better educational system; encouraging sound energy initiatives; and advocating public safety through tough, crime-fighting policies.