Special election date set to replace Hashmi in state Senate

The big picture: The date, set Tuesday by Senate President Pro Tempore Louise Lucas, allows the winner to join the General Assembly in time for the 2026 session.

• Candidates have until Monday, Dec. 8, to file for the 15th District seat — which spans most of Chesterfield and parts of Southside — per the state Department of Elections.

Zoom in: Two Democrats have already begun campaigning:

• Del. Debra Gardner, a former social worker who is backed by Lucas.
• Del. Mike Jones, a former 9th District City Councilmember who Hashmi has already endorsed.

Of note: Those two will have to first face off in a primary, which hasn't yet been set.

• So far, no Republican candidates have announced.

The intrigue: Both were just reelected in November, which means either of them winning would trigger another special election to fill their seat in the House of Delegates.

• Gardner's current district is entirely in Chesterfield, while Jones' is split between the county and South Richmond.

What we're watching: Whether any other candidates jump in the race before Monday's deadline.

Editor's note: This story has been corrected to reflect that the deadline to register to run for the seat is Monday (not Sunday).