VIRGINIA BEACH — A special election will be held to fill the vacancy in Virginia’s 98th House District following Del. Barry Knight’s death.
Knight, a Republican, represented Virginia Beach in the House of Delegates for 17 years, died Thursday. He was 71 years old. Knight had been battling health issues and had not attended the 2026 General Assembly session in Richmond.
Knight was serving the beginning of a two-year term when he died.
The election will be held on March 17.
Early in-person voting will begin March 6 and continue through March 14, according to the Virginia Department of Elections.
Don Scott, speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates, announced the special election on Saturday.
Speaker Don Scott called for a special election to fill the vacancy created by Del. Barry Knight dying. (Courtesy/Don Scott)
House District 98 encompasses the southern part of Virginia Beach including the city’s most rural areas. The district has 65,134 voters and leans Republican, according to the Virginia Public Access Project, which tracks district profiles.
Stacy Parker, 757-222-5125, stacy.parker@pilotonline.com
