Virginia Republicans prevailed in Tuesday’s special elections for the House of Delegates’ 26th and 27th districts, two seats that had been vacated when the incumbents, Matt Lohr (R-26) and Sam Nixon (R-27), were tapped by Gov. Bob McDonnell to take positions in his administration.
Tuesday’s results for the 26th House District saw Republican Harrisonburg businessman Tony Wilt win with 65% of the vote. Democrat Harrisonburg Mayor Kai Degner got 29%, and Independent Harrisonburg City Councilwoman Carolyn Frank pulled in just 4%.
The 27th House District results saw Republican Dr. Roxann Robinson, an optometrist, winning with 72% if the vote and Democrat Bill Brown garnering 27%.
Both Districts have traditionally been Republican. Last November’s election in the 26th District which includes Harrisonburg and part of Rockingham saw a Lohr reelection with 73% and McDonnell win with 71%. In the 27th District which takes in part of Chesterfield County, Nixon won 98% of the vote last November and McDonnell won 60%. In 2008 the 27th District went for Barack Obama. 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 was able to garner only 29% of the vote.
Governor Bob McDonnell, happy with the results, commented:
“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.”
