Gov. Glenn A. Youngkin went all in on winning Republican majorities in the state House and Senate — and lost.

Unofficial results from Tuesday’s elections show Virginia Democrats again will be in charge of both houses of the General Assembly.

Democrats made protection of abortion a central theme of the campaign and the outcome showed that remains a potent message amid preparations for the 2024 presidential election.

The Virginia victories for Democrats came as voters in increasingly Republican Ohio voted to enshrine abortion protection in their state’s constitution and Kentucky voters re-elected a pro-abortion governor.

According to unofficial Virginia results, Democrats won 51 seats in the 100-member House to 49 for Republicans and secured 21 of the 40 seats in the state Senate, maintaining Democratic control of the upper chamber.

The outcome was a huge loss for Gov. Youngkin in his push to raise his profile as a potential presidential contender and his fellow Republicans who had spent heavily in a bid to win both houses and move his agenda, including a ban on abortion after 15 weeks. Instead of putting in place a new model for how Republicans can win, he now faces having to work more closely with the opposition.

Democrats celebrated at a watch party at a Downtown Richmond hotel.

“Tomorrow is the first day of a new Virginia,” said Portsmouth Delegate Don L. Scott Jr., the leader of House Democrats who is on track to become the first Black speaker of the House.

Hampton state Sen. Mamie E. Locke and Fairfax state Sen. Scott A. Surovell drew cheers as they held up two bricks painted blue symbolizing the “brick wall” that Democrats have generated in the Senate to portions of Gov. Youngkin’s agenda.

“It’s official: there will be absolutely no abortion ban legislation sent to Glenn Youngkin’s desk for the duration of his term in office, period, as we have thwarted MAGA Republicans’ attempt to take total control of our government and our bodies,” said Sen. Locke, chair of the Senate Democratic Caucus, in referencing former President Trump’s “Make America Great Again” slogan.

Jaime Harrison, chair of the Democratic National Committee, described the Virginia results as bullish for Democrats.

“This is a huge sign of Democrats’ continued momentum heading into 2024,” he wrote in a statement. “With so much on the line, voters showed up at the ballot box and sent the GOP a stark warning — betting big on the MAGA agenda doesn’t fly with everyday Americans, and it will cost them once again in 2024.”

Democrats held the Senate after winning four of the eight most competitive races. One of the critical victories was that of Henrico schoolteacher and Delegate Schuyler T. VanValkenberg who upset Republic incumbent Siobahan S. Dunnavant, a physician.

Another win that proved crucial came in the 31st Senate District where Democrat Russet Perry, a former CIA operative and prosecutor, defeated Republican businessman Juan Pablo Segura for an open seat.

Republicans countered with a big win the 24th Senate District where former York County Sheriff J.D. “Danny” Diggs upset incumbent Democratic Sen. T. Monty Mason.

Republicans also won a hard-fought contest in the 27th Senate District as Republican Delegate won over Democrat Joel Griffin and independent Monica Gary.

Democrats secured the majority of 21 senators when incumbent Democrat Aaron B. Rouse won his rematch with Republican businessman Kevin H. Adams in the 22nd Senate District in Virginia Beach.

In House races, Democrats won four of the eight most competitive races including a key win in the 87th House District in Hampton Roads where technology specialist Michael Feggans upset Republican incumbent Karen Greenhalgh. Attorney Joshua Thomas also aided the Democratic bid for a majority by defeating Republican John Stirrup in the 21st House District in Prince William County. Mr. Stirrup was caught on tape advocating for a total ban on abortion late in the campaign and was unable to recover.

Democrats, though, were unable to pad their majority when Republican incumbent Kimberly A. “Kim” Taylor held her Petersburg-area seat against Democratic challenger Kimberly Pope Adams.

Henrico County also was a House battleground, but the parties split key seats.

Incumbent Democratic Delegate Rodney Willett was able to hold off Republican challenger Riley Shaia in the 58th House District, but Democrats lost the open 57th House District seat when Republican David Owen narrowly defeated Democratic rival Susanna Gibson.

In trouble after it was discovered she was featured on an internet site having sex with her husband, Ms. Gibson won narrowly in Henrico, but fell to Mr. Owen after losing Goochland County precincts by a 2-1 margin.

While Democrats focused on abortion, gun control and environmental protection, Republicans centered their messages around issues like lowering taxes, supporting parental involvement in schools, rolling back Democrat-sponsored clean energy mandates and improving public safety.