'He still lost Virginia': Lawmaker lays out state Dems’ plan to keep majority ahead of critical election

In less than two weeks, a special election in Virginia will determine whether Democrats get to keep their majority in both chambers of the state's legislature — or lose to their right-wing colleagues.

Speaking with Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates, Don Scott, on Thursday, MSNBC's Katie Phang asked the Democratic leader, "How do you get support up among democrats for a special election that is going to take place within days after the holidays?"

Scott replied, "I think it is very important that we realize what happens in this election is so important in making sure that Virginia stays on the right path. In spite of the fact that Donald Trump won the election, he still lost Virginia, and I think everyone knows how important it is that we continue to protect reproductive healthcare in Virginia, that we continue to press forward with our public safety initiatives, and making sure we remain the number one state for business."

READ MORE: 'Dumpster fire': Democrats reportedly watching with 'glee' as Republicans self-destruct

The top state Democrat added, "CNBC rated us the number one state for business because we worked well across the aisle, and I think people just want to see us get things done. So, I'm excited about this election, we should win these elections, but I won't take anything for granted because we know in a special election with low turnout, anything could happen."

Phang replied, "I'm glad that you brought it up because I like to say democracy is local. A lot of us actually experience democracy on a local level when we interact with our local governments, and sometimes the state races kind of get lost in all of the noise when we're looking at a presidential election, for example, like we had in November. The idea of states maintaining their rights, and their ability and their autonomy to make critical decisions like reproductive rights access is really a highlight of now the Democrats' argument and strategy. Because there is a trifecta right now with the US Senate, the House of Representatives, and the Oval Office. So what is Virginia going to do to try to protect the grounds that it's always had, but maybe lost a little bit in November?"

Scott said, "I think Virginia has been paying very close attention, because we have over 140,000 federal civil servants who live in Virginia. President-elect Trump has already said he's going to get rid of a lot of jobs, move them away from Virginia, away from Maryland, to middle states, and I think that would be a mistake and it could impact our economy. We are hoping we will be able to protect the stops, I think people are paying very close attention here in Virginia because we have to protect reproductive healthcare, we have a constitutional amendment in this next election to enshrine and protect in our constitution the right to bodily autonomy. We're going to pass a bill to make sure that we also take out the antiquated ban on same marriage that's also in Virginia's constitution, so we have a lot of work ahead of us. "

The state House speaker noted, "We have two great candidates, JJ Singh running in the House, and [state Rep.] Kannan Srinivasan running in the Senate. And I think they're out door knocking, they're are out working, they're messaging our opponents. We have a very, very slim majority. So, these two races are literally the difference between helping and protecting our healthcare, making sure that we continue to protect our voting rights freedoms, and make sure that we continue to create work and economic opportunities for all hardworking Virginians."

READ MORE: 'I would lead the charge': Trump says he agrees with Democrats on this major policy issue

Watch the video below or at this link.

- YouTubewww.youtube.com