Virginia voters chose Democrat James Walkinshaw to succeed the late U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly, NBC News projects, filling a vacant seat to represent a deep-blue, D.C.-area suburb in a closely divided House.

NBC News called the race about 35 minutes after polls closed at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

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In a special election in Virginia’s 11th Congressional District, home to more than 700,000 people, Walkinshaw faced Republican Stewart Whitson.

Republicans only have a razor-thin edge in the House of Representatives, and the contest’s results in a reliably Democratic district could be critical ahead of l ooming spending battles that may result in a government shutdown.

The special election also was watched as an indicator of how vo

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