Kim Taylor declared victory in the contested race for Virginia’s new 82nd House of Delegates seat just after midnight on Nov. 8.

According to unofficial election results, Taylor received just over 50% of 28,155 votes across the 82nd District, which includes Surry County, the city of Petersburg and parts of Dinwiddie and Prince George counties.

Her Democratic opponent, Kimberly Pope Adams, received just under 50% of the vote, with a margin of less than 200 votes between the two candidates.

Taylor carried Surry, which accounts for 8.8% of the district’s voters, with just over 50% of the county’s 3,366 votes. She also carried Dinwiddie and Prince George counties while Adams carried Petersburg.

The totals include election day voting, early in-person votes and absentee ballots but not provisional ballots.

Taylor was elected in 2022 to represent the former 63rd House District but was moved into the 82nd as a result of new legislative maps Virginia’s Supreme Court approved in 2021 based on the 2020 Census.

“Two years ago, we won a historic victory in Virginia’s House of Delegates,” Taylor said. “Tonight, we won another. I am so thankful to all of the voters who stood up and made their voices heard. Virginia families are concerned about inflation, crime, and education. They want leaders in Richmond who will take a stand and fight for the issues that matter most to them.

“I am proud of my record in Richmond, fighting to rebuild Petersburg, expand rural broadband, combat human trafficking, secure millions of dollars for our communities, and tear down the ugly Ramada Inn. Our fight started two years ago, and tonight it continues. I am humbled by the support, and I look forward to heading back to Richmond and delivering results for the 82nd district.”

Adams’ campaign, as of 9:34 a.m. on Nov. 8, hadn’t conceded and described the race as still too close to call.

“This race is tight, and it’s important for the health of our democracy and the confidence of the voters that every single vote is counted before a winner is declared,” a news release from Adams’ campaign states. “While the campaign awaits the final results, Pope Adams is spending time with family, friends, and supporters, celebrating the campaign run.

“This campaign is, and always has been, about building a future for Petersburg, Dinwiddie County, Surry County, and Prince George County where no one is left behind. No matter where you live, how much money you have, or what party you’re a member of, your freedoms are protected, your family is safe, and you have a real shot at success. This campaign is confident that when all the votes are counted, that message will have us out on top.”

Surry saw just over 60% of its 5,647 registered voters turn out to cast either on election day or by voting early.

Editor’s note: This story was updated at 12:41 p.m. on Nov. 8 with the latest unofficial vote totals.