The General Assembly is guaranteed to have a record number of Black members after voters cast their ballots on Election Day next Tuesday, Nov. 7.

The House of Delegates, at a minimum, is expected to have a record 23 Black members — 22 Democrats and at least one Republican.

And there is a prospect that seven other Black Democrats, now engaged in some of the most competitive races, could gain House seats.

The Virginia Senate is guaranteed to have an unprecedented seven Black senators, with a potential for another three depending on the outcome of hotly contested races in Hampton Roads and the Richmond-Petersburg area.

“I am feeling extremely encouraged,” said Richmond state Sen. Lamont Bagby, who chairs the Legislative Black Caucus and is unopposed in his bid to win the seat for the 14th District that covers most of the city.

“We are currently at 20 members,” he said, including Senate and House members. “After Tuesday, we will be at least 30.”

A record 53 Black candidates are competing for seats in the House and Senate, with more than half considered likely to win.

That includes 12 Black candidates who are unopposed. Among the dozen guaranteed to win are newcomers Destiny Bolling, Rae Cousins and Michael J. Jones and incumbent Delores L. McQuinn, who will fill House seats in theRichmond area.

The Richmond area is expected to have at least seven Black delegates, while Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads are each expected to send at least eight Black delegates.

The Richmond area is poised to have two Black state senators, Sen. Bagby and Petersburg’s Lashrecse Aird, who defeated Joe Morrissey in the June primary and appears on track to win easily in the general election next week.

In Hampton Roads, veteran state Sens.Mamie Locke and L. Louise Lucas are expected to be joined by newcomer Angelia Williams Graves, who is on track to win the Senate 21st District. And Jennifer Carroll Foy is expected to win in Senate District 33 in Northern Virginia.

A seventh Black senator is assured no matter who wins in Senate District 22. Incumbent Democrat Aaron Rouse is engaged in a tough rematch with Kevin Adams, a Black Republican.

A second Black Republican senator could emerge from Senate 24th District in the Newport News-York County area if challenger Danny Diggs knocks out incumbent Democrat Monty Mason in one of the most competitive battles this cycle.

Other districts that could produce Black senators are the Senate 4th District in the Roanoke area where Trish White-Boyd is seeking to oust a Republican incumbent and Senate 17th District in Hampton Roads, where outgoing Delegate Clinton Jenkins is battling outgoing Republican Delegate Emily Brewer.

With other minorities poised to win, including Latinos and Asians, the General Assembly in 2024 is likely to be the most diverse ever.