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RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — The lone Democratic senator who joined Republicans in voting for a Virginia budget says the move was made in error.
State Sen. Lynwood Lewis voted Thursday to approve a budget aimed at ensuring Gov. Terry McAuliffe cannot expand Medicaid without legislative approval. Lewis was the only Democrat to join 20 Republicans on the vote.
The Virginia General Assembly's online vote tracker shows that Lewis indicated after the vote that he meant instead to vote against the budget. Lewis aide Charles Stanton confirmed Friday that Lewis intended to vote no.
Lewis's office did not immediately respond to questions about how the mistaken vote occurred.
Republicans still would have had enough votes to pass the budget without Lewis. They have a 20-19 advantage after another Democratic senator unexpectedly resigned Monday.
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