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In a bevy of tight races across Virginia, voters in Senate District 17 will likely have elected Republican Emily Brewer to represent them in the Senate of Virginia.

Brewer faced Democrat Clinton Jenkins and according to unofficial vote tallies as of 11:15 p.m. captured 53% of the vote in the district, which includes Suffolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Emporia, Franklin, Southampton County, Isle of Wight County, Greensville County, Dinwiddie County, and Brunswick County.

Throughout the night, the percentages went back and forth between the two candidates.

At home in Suffolk, Jenkins carried the city with 16,648 votes, or 53% of the vote to Brewer’s 46.5%. Brewer carried Isle of Wight with a commanding 65.2% of the vote. 

Although she did not come out and declare victory, she did say she was ready to continue to be a solutionist.

“We get to represent some more folks and communities,” Brewer told The Tidewater News. “We’re honored to be able to do that, and since I’ve been doing this the past couple of years, I’ve always said that ultimately, voters want someone who’s going to be a solutionist and help them in their time of need, and that’s the way I’ve always done this.”

Likewise, Jenkins did not concede defeat. He said he was happy to be part of the process, and once it is all said and done, the voters made their choice.

“I’m excited for the opportunity to participate in the process,” Jenkins told The Tidewater News. “At the end of the day, when it’s all said and done, the citizens, the constituents would have spoken. Those who are true servants won’t stop serving.”