Republicans win special election HoD seats

Congratulations to Republicans Tony Wilt (26th House) and Roxann Robinson (27th House) on winning the open delegate seats after former Delegates Matt Lohr (R-26) and Sam Nixon (R-27) were tapped by Gov. Bob McDonnell to take jobs in his administration.

The special election held on Tuesday saw Tony Wilt (Harrisonburg-Rockingham) win with 65% of the vote while Roxanne Robinson (Chesterfield) won with 72%. Thanks to all the volunteers who pounded the signs and manned the precincts including my parents in Chesterfield who worked the polls from 4-7 p.m.

Governor Bob McDonnell (R-VA) was happy with the results and issued the following comments:

"In two different House of Delegates districts today Virginians voted for candidates who believe in limited government, fiscal responsibility, and economic growth and job creation.

"In the 26th district, former Delegate Matt Lohr served the citizens of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County admirably for four years, and I appreciate his willingness to continue his service as Virginia's Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The voters made a wise decision in electing a strong businessman and community leader in Tony Wilt to the House of Delegates, and I look forward to working with Tony on legislative matters in the coming years.

"In the 27th district, former Delegate Sam Nixon was a great public servant to the citizens of Chesterfield for the better part of two decades, and his willingness to continue that service as the Commonwealth's Chief Information Officer further demonstrates his dedication.

In Dr. Roxann Robinson the voters of Chesterfield elected a successful small business owner who understands how Virginia's small businesses are built and sustained. I look forward to working with Dr. Robinson in the General Assembly as we all work to create jobs and get Virginia's economy moving again."

The 26th and 27th delegate seats were reliably Republican but Virginia Democrats poured money into the Shenandoah Valley's 26th District which raised eyebrows from some who questioned spending that much in such a red area of the Commonwealth. Democrat Kai Degner, the Mayor of Harrisonburg, outspent Republican Tony Wilt by $50,000 but garnered only 29% of the vote. Harrisonburg City Councilwoman Carolyn Frank, running as an Independent, was able to pull in only 4%.