Senate certifies special-election winner Michael J. Jones, adopts committee rosters and clears early calendar

The Senate of Virginia convened in Richmond on Jan. 19, 2026, certified the results of a special election for Senate District 15, and completed a series of procedural actions including adoption of committee assignments and calendar housekeeping.

The clerk read a certification from the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Elections dated Jan. 14, 2026, stating that Mike J. Jones was duly elected in a special election on Jan. 6, 2026, to fill the unexpired term for Senate District 15 ending Jan. 11, 2028. The clerk noted two certificates were delivered to the Senate office and that Michael J. Jones took the oath prescribed by law on Jan. 17, 2026, at 1:27 p.m.; the oath and certificate were referred to the committee on privileges and elections.

A senator from Norfolk introduced Reverend Dr. Michael J. Jones to the chamber, summarizing his pastoral ministry, community programs (including an initiative described in the record as "Cars for Christ," which has gifted over 65 vehicles), prior local office and service in the House of Delegates. Senators and the presiding officer welcomed Jones to the Senate.

On procedural business, the Senate waived the reading of the journals for the previous sitting (motion agreed; Ayes 36, Nos 4). The clerk read the 2026 standing committee nominations and the senator from Hampton moved to adopt the report; the committee nominations report was adopted (Ayes 40, No 0). The chamber granted unanimous consent to introduce three bills after the cutoff—on youth mentoring grants, breakthrough therapies including psilocybin for veterans, and a solar strategy fund. The Senate also suspended rules on uncontested calendar items and ordered Senate bills 95 through 81 to be "passed by for the day."

Later, the Senate recessed to convene a joint assembly to receive Gov. Abigail Davis Spanberger. After the joint assembly concluded, the Senate resumed briefly and agreed to adjourn until noon the next day.

Votes and formal motions recorded on the floor during the session include:
- Waive reading of the journals: Ayes 36, Nos 4 (motion carried).
- Committee nominations report adopted: Ayes 40, No 0 (report adopted).
- Suspension of rules for constitutional reading (uncontested calendar): Ayes 40, No 0.
- Recess to joint assembly: motion agreed.
- Adjourn until 12 noon the following day: motion agreed.

These actions were procedural and did not enact policy changes on the floor that day; the governor's address in the joint assembly contained the substantive policy proposals for the session.