Democrat state Sen. Jennifer Wexton beat out five other candidates to challenge incumbent Republican Barbara Comstock in the race for the 10th District of Virginia.
Wexton continues the recent pattern of Virginia Democrats nominating women for competitive congressional races in the commonwealth.
Comstock is one of the most vulnerable Republicans in the House, winning re-election narrowly in 2016 even as her district backed Democrat Hillary Clinton in the presidential election.
The race is considered a toss-up and presents a key pickup opportunity for Democrats as they try to retake the House majority. Wexton and the five other Democrats in the race spent a whopping $3.8 million. Comstock’s spending exceeded $1.7 million. The district went for Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam by 55 percent in 2017 and 52 percent for Clinton in 2016.
Democrats are hopeful they can flip at least two seats in Virginia after the party made historic gains down ballot in 2017.
