Incumbent Rep. A. Donald McEachin of Richmond has retained his seat representing Virginia’s 4th District in the U.S. House of Representatives, while his Democratic colleague, incumbent 7th District Rep. Abigail A. Spanberger of Henrico, also appears to be returning to Washington after a seesaw race.

“I want to thank the good folks of Virginia’s 4th Congressional District for their continued confidence in me and for their resounding support,” Delegate McEachin stated in a release after defeating his GOP challenger, the Rev. Leon Benjamin Sr. Rev. Benjamin, a political newcomer, is senior pastor of the New Life Harvest Church in South Richmond and serves as chairman of Richmond’s Republican Party.

Early returns on Election Day showed Rev. Benjamin in the lead, but it evaporated as ballots were tallied from early in-person and mail-in voting in the district that encompasses all or parts of 16 cities and counties stretching from Richmond to Sussex County and east to Chesapeake.

Unofficial results posted Wednesday by the state Department of Elections showed Rep. McEachin clinching 232,563 votes, or 60.94 percent, to Rev. Benjamin’s total of 148,593, or 38.94 percent.

Rev. Benjamin’s campaign in many ways played against the political leanings of the district, emphasizing his connections to, relationship with and approval of President Trump. He also made public safety a major focus of his campaign.

Rep. McEachin campaigned on a solid Democratic platform.

“I commit to continuing to serve (the needs of the people of the district) by working to address this frightening pandemic, supporting public health, rebuilding our economy, striving to eliminate systemic racism, addressing the urgent climate crisis and creating a country that truly offers opportunity, justice and equity for all,” Rep. McEachin stated Wednesday.

Meanwhile, in the highly competitive and costly 7th congressional district race, Rep. Spanberger on Wednesday evening declared victory by a little more than 5,000 votes over her Republican challenger, Nick J. Freitas, a member of the Virginia House of Delegates from Culpeper.

Updated, but still unofficial state results showed Rep. Spanberger with 227,538 votes to Delegate Freitas’ 222,406, or 50.49 percent to 49.35, respectively.

Rep. Spanberger noted that final results from Henrico and Spotsylvania counties that were reported late Wednesday finally put her ahead.

“Tonight, the 7th District affirmed its commitment to leadership in Congress that puts Central Virginia first, works for everyone and focuses on expanding opportunity for the next generation of Virginians,” Rep. Spanberger said in a victory statement. “Serving the 7th District in Congress has been my honor, and I look forward to continuing our work to strengthen and protect our communities.”

The 7th District includes all or parts of nine counties, from Henrico and Chesterfield counties west and north to Spotsylvania County. Unofficial totals showed Rep. Spanberger winning in Henrico and Chesterfield, but trailing in the more rural areas, which helped President Trump win in the 7th congressional district.

The race has proven to be one the closest and most competitive in the state because of its electoral profile and voting history. In November 2018, Rep. Spanberger, a former CIA caseworker and political newcomer, defeated GOP incumbent Dave Brat by only 2 percentage points.

The 2020 race is also one of Virginia’s most expensive, with more than $15 million spent by the two campaigns.

In Virginia’s nine other congressional races, incumbents generally won, including Democrat Elaine G. Luria in the 2nd congressional district and the dean of Virginia’s House delegation, Robert C. “Bobby” Scott in the 3rd congressional district.

Meanwhile, Republicans held their seats, including in the 5th congressional district, where Democrat Dr. Cameron Webb of Charlottesville lost to Robert “Bob” Good of Campbell County. Mr. Good ousted the incumbent Republican, Rep. Denver Riggleman, in a primary election earlier this year because party officials disapproved of him presiding over a gay marriage.