Virginia Governor Ralph Northam issued a writ of election declaring a special election in the 38th District for March 23 of 2021. The seat was previously held by the late Senator Ben Chafin, Jr, who passed away Jaunary 1. Northam is charged with setting the special election date when a vacany occurs in the General Assembly absent of the General Assembly being in session. The last day to file papers to appear on the ballot is January 22. So far, as of Tuesday, Dickenson County Sheriff Deputy Jony Baker and Lebanon Town Council member Elijah Leonard have announced their intentions of running for the Republican nomination for the district seat.