Virginia’s 6th Congressional District runs the length of the Shenandoah Valley from south of Winchester to Roanoke in the western part of the state. For the past 19 years it has been represented by Republican Congressman Bob Goodlatte of Roanoke.
The district is overwhelmingly rural and generally known to be Republican and conservative although clashes have occurred throughout the years between Mountain Valley Republican moderates, conservatives, and further-right conservatives. The 6th District Convention, held last weekend at Lynchburg’s Liberty University, became a battle between those factions.
When long-time District Chairman Fred Anderson, who had served for the past decade, announced his retirement in February, two candidates emerged.
Long-time GOP activist Trixie Averill of Salem (Roanoke County), fresh off the successful Bob McDonnell gubernatorial campaign, threw her hat in the ring and had the support of Gov. McDonnell, Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, and Rep. Bob Goodlatte. She had worked campaigns for 30 years for Republican candidates such as George Allen, Jim Gilmore, Jerry Kilgore, and 2009’s historic win with Bob McDonnell, Bill Bolling, and Ken Cuccinelli. A member of the Republican Party of Virginia’s Central Committee for 20 years, she was voted in as its Western Vice Chairwoman in 2006.
Danny Goad of Botetourt County also threw his hat in the ring and was supported by Del. Bob Marshall (R-13th) and former Virginia RPV Chairman Pat McSweeney. He had been involved in GOP politics on and off for 18 years, most recently as vice chairman of the Botetourt GOP Committee, and had often been at odds with Rep. Goodlatte.
In Saturday’s election, Mrs. Averill pulled out the moderate and conservative vote while Mr. Goad pulled out the further-right conservative and tea party vote. Tempers flared as the two sides clashed through speeches, resolutions, and votes for other leadership positions prior to voting for chairman.
At the end of the day, Trixie Averill won the chairmanship in a landslide with 73% of the vote. She will represent the 6th District on State Central’s executive committee, the governing body of the Republican Party of Virginia, as the 6th District Republicans work to reelect Bob Goodlatte in November.
