GOP Scores Massive Victory in Special Election Congressional Race that Holds Majorly Good News Before the November Midterms
Republican Andrew Rice defeated Democrat Cheryl Smith in the March 17, 2026, special election for Virginia House of Delegates District 98, winning 62.5%–37.5%. The seat opened after the death of longtime Republican Delegate Barry Knight.
Rice, a Virginia Beach Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney and political newcomer, delivered a 25-point landslide that outperformed recent GOP margins in the district. Virginia Republicans hailed the result as strong conservative momentum and voter rejection of Democratic control in Richmond, especially ahead of the April 21 redistricting amendment vote.
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Noting the major upset, a political analyst said, “Congratulations, Andrew Rice! Do not let anyone in the media convince you that this wasn’t a seismic result. Andrew outran Trump by a significant margin. Voters are FIRED UP and ready to vote against Democrats. Great sign for the VOTE NO campaign.”
Another post to social media noted, “HOLY CRAP! Republicans just scored a +14 point OVER PERFORMANCE in the Virginia House of Delegates District 98 Special Election. Andrew Rice (R) defeats Cheryl Smith (D) by 28+ points, in the Trump+14 district,” joking, “Apply liberals’ logic, this means a RED TSUNAMI is coming
BIG GOP WIN: Republicans just flipped momentum in Virginia HD-98 special election! Andrew Rice (R) crushes it with ~+25-29 point lead/margin in a district that leaned Sears +7 in November’s election. That’s a massive ~22+ point swing toward the Republicans!
Explaining the possible motivations, a post asserted, “This isn’t just a win—it’s a resounding rejection of the radical left’s agenda in Richmond. I predict there will be major backlash against the policies of Governor of Virginia—the people are furious. High taxes, out-of-control spending, soft-on-crime nonsense, and woke overreach have finally hit a breaking point.”
The same source declared, “Virginians are waking up and saying ENOUGH. This district in Virginia Beach—once competitive—has flipped hard red because voters are sick of Democrat failures. America First policies work.”
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“Lower taxes, secure borders, law and order, protecting our kids—the GOP is delivering, and voters are rewarding it. Big warning shot to the left: Your time is up. The red wave is building, and 2026/2028 is going to be brutal for you,” the user concluded.
Reacting to the major win, the Virginia GOP stated, “Congratulations to Andrew Rice on winning the special election for the 98th House of Delegates district! Andrew is a common-sense conservative leader who will push back against Democrat extremism and fight for policies that benefit working families.”
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Replying to the state GOP, one comment noted, “Resounding victory. Voters are not down with gerrymandering or higher taxes or the loss of 2A rights that the Dems pushed thru.” Another added, “Four months in, and Dems have already overplayed their hand in VA. Thank God Virginians have noticed.”
One conservative woman said, “Make sure that you tell Virginians in the midterms EVERYTHING that Spanberger & democRATS are doing to the residents, from taxes to gun right violations to deviants in women’s bathrooms & ask them if that’s what they want done to them by the Federal government too!”
BREAKING: Dolly Parton’s Cause Of Death Revealed: ‘Brief Battle’
Dolly Parton’s death came after a brief battle with cancer, her representatives revealed Tuesday.
The country music legend died Aug. 25 at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville. She was 80.
Parton had been admitted to the cancer center Friday, four days before her death. Her representatives confirmed the cancer diagnosis in a statement to PEOPLE but did not disclose what type she had.
“Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched. Her unmatched generosity reached the lives of countless people whom she would never meet, yet she was always there to offer a helping hand,” the statement read.
“Whether it be the hundreds of millions of books donated through her invaluable Imagination Library or funding research that helped create a lifesaving vaccine used around the world, Dolly’s unconditional love for all people was the guiding force for her lasting impact. After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones,” the statement concluded.
The “Jolene” singer had also been dealing with kidney and autoimmune issues before her death, PEOPLE previously reported.
Just days earlier, Dolly Parton opened up about her declining health and acknowledged that she had put off addressing some medical issues while caring for her husband, Carl.
“As I’ve shared in video messages throughout the past year, I am dealing with some health issues that I just didn’t pay attention to when I was watching over [my husband] Carl. You know, this isn’t the first time I’ve had to manage something like this. Back in the early ’80s, I was down for several months with female issues, and I was struggling with my weight at the time too, so it’s not like I haven’t been through hard times with my health,” Parton told PEOPLE.
Her nephew, Bryan Seaver, announced her death in an Instagram video Tuesday on behalf of the Parton and Owens family.
“My name is Bryan Seaver, son of Cassie Parton, and I’m representing the Parton and Owens family today announcing the passing of my aunt, Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean, Sister, Sis and Granny to one generation and Gigi to the next,” he says in the video.
Seaver, who served as Parton’s head of security for more than two decades, said she had asked him years earlier to deliver the announcement.
“This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago, before I fully absorbed it as a future reality,” he continued. “As her head of security for more than two decades, a role my father Larry held before me, I have imagined the heaviness of this moment but haven’t truly felt it until now.”
Seaver said the moment brought immense pride and heartbreak, but he took comfort in his faith that Parton had been reunited with Carl and other loved ones.
Seaver added: “It is an honor, an honor that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness. But sadness lies with us, not with Dolly. Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by Carl, her parents and countless othe
Shocking 'truth' behind Prince Harry's decision to quit major role
Prince Harry should have "resigned in disgrace" from the board of a controversial African wildlife charity, a commentator says. James Walker makes the bombshell remark in Wednesday's episode of this publication's podcast, Daily Expresso.
He and the show's host, JJ Anisiobi, delve into the Duke of Sussex's dramatic decision to step down from African Parks. James, commenting on the controversy, said: "When you hear about this stuff and how long it's been going on for, you should be resigning in disgrace. [Harry] should be saying: 'I'm not touching that with a barge pole. That is a failed entity. We're going nowhere near it'.
"But no. He's still saying he's going to 'support their mission'. And again this Caroline Pearce, executive director of Survival International, goes on to say: 'His departure doesn't undo that record'.
"She alleged that African Parks was aware of the abuses for years, but it was only after Survival complained to Harry that the charity finally commissioned an investigation."
James added: "Well, she's got a point."
It emerged on Monday (August 24) that Harry was no longer a board member of the wildlife charity.
The conservation organisation has admitted that human rights abuses were committed by its rangers against members of the semi-nomadic Baka group in Congo-Brazzaville.
African Parks has said since that it has improved its safeguarding processes both in the Odzala-Kokoua National Park and institutionally.
Its admission followed an independent human rights investigation into allegations guards managed and paid by the charity had beaten, raped and tortured indigenous people in Odzala-Kokoua National Park.
Harry was president of the charity for six years before he became a member of its board of directors in 2023.
A spokesman for the Duke said he remains an active and avid supporter of African Parks. He added: "The Duke is proud of his 10 years with African Parks and fully supports the ongoing strengthening of its board.
"His commitment to conservation in Africa continues and he remains a supporter of African Parks’ mission."
Human rights organisation, Survival International, said it had been calling on Harry to step down from African Parks for years.
The group's director, Caroline Pearce, said in a statement: "It’s outrageous that for 10 years Prince Harry has served African Parks while the organisation has been responsible for abuse and violence against Indigenous people.
"His departure doesn't undo that record — African Parks itself must now be held accountable, and must abandon this model of fortress conservation for good."
Survival International said indigenous peoples know how best to manage their land and the idea outsiders know better is racist and colonial.
