Was it a coronation....?

“The party faithful who were there were supporting their favorite son. Emmett was born and raised in Augusta County and was groomed for the job since he was in high school.”
Larry Roller

But I thought we were voting for Chairman of the Party ... not for Emmett.

From Thursday's Staunton News Virginian:

While noting the connection between some of the candidates and the state senator, [Kurt] Michael said it is “Emmett Hanger vs. Kurt Michael.”

Emmett Hanger said Wednesday that this is not the case. “That’s what he wants to make it,” he said.

It seems clear this election was not about Kurt Michael not being an effective leader. This election was about Kurt Michael supporting Scott Sayre in last year's primary.