RICHMOND, Va. (AP) _ Democrats are seeking to reshape the power structure of the Virginia Senate after winning two special elections that gave their party narrow control of the upper chamber. Over the objections of Republicans, Democrats proposed Tuesday to flip party control of senate committees. Committees typically control which legislation makes it to the Senate floor. The Senate is split 20-20 between Republicans and Democrats, with newly elected Lt. Gov. Ralph S. Northam giving Democrats the edge on tie-breaking votes. On Monday, Democrat Lynwood W. Lewis prevailed in a recount to succeed Northam in the Senate. In 2011, there was a similar fight over control of a split Senate. That year Democrats unsuccessfully sued to try and prevent Northam’s Republican predecessor from casting deciding votes on committee assignments in the Senate.
