Barry Knight easily won the 81st District race for the House of Delegates on Tuesday, claiming 82 percent of the vote against 24-year-old John LaCombe.
"I was happy to have a good win, but this is beyond my expectations," Knight, a Republican and member of the Virginia Beach Planning Commission, said at a victory rally in his Pungo home.
Results were in about 30 minutes after the polls closed at 7 p.m. Preliminary vote totals had Knight, a Republican with 2,435 votes while his Democratic opponent, John LaCombe received 493.
A 54-year-old farmer who raises hogs in Pungo, Knight swept all 16 precincts in the district, which covers southern Virginia Beach and a portion of southern Chesapeake. Only one precinct, Seatack in Virginia Beach, was close, where Knight received 40 votes to LaCombe's 38.
In the rural Beach areas of Creeds, Capps Shop and Blackwater, Knight garnered between 85 percent and 90 percent of the vote.
The election had only one item on the ballot, and turnout was low. Only 6.5 percent of voters cast a ballot.
"I'm not going to be a standalone delegate," Knight said. "I'm going to be a delegate who reaches out to everyone."
In an e-mail Tuesday night, LaCombe said: "I chose to run because the people deserve a voice, a chance to make a choice, especially in times so vicious to the working class. I regret nothing, and I congratulate Mr. Knight."
Knight was heavily favored to win the seat, which has been Republican since Terrie Suit defeated Glenn Croshaw, a Democrat, 10 years ago.
Suit resigned from the House in October to take a lobbying job.
Knight will have to run again this year to stay in the House; Tuesday's election only allows him to complete Suit's term.
The four-year 81st District seat will be up for grabs again during the regular election in November.
In a GOP primary several weeks ago, Knight took 59 percent of the vote against two candidates.
He will take his seat in the General Assembly when it convenes Jan. 14.
John Warren, (757) 222-5114, john.warren@pilotonline.com
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I would rather have a hog
I would rather have a hog farmer than a democrook.
A classic example.....
....of how Republicans buy an election. I know Barry and his family; he is an ok guy, but I cannot figure out why he would want the job, unless it will pay for his helicopter? I did not know Mr Lancome was running until the weekend before the election; but I knew Barry was running. I thought the high priced color glossy flyers would never stop showing up in my mail box; and the robo calls. All that advertising/propaganda [Edward Bernays, 1928] costs lots of money, which Barry and the "Party" have. Then there is the issue of Terrie Suit's "retirement"; a classic case of perfect timing for a "cut and run" in order that the election not be held at general election time. That cost the taxpayer's money. "You People" got hoodwinked again. Barry is now beholden to the party; not a man of the people. Prove me wrong Barry.
Campaign strategies
Lacombe littered my entire neighborhood with campaign fliers that they put on every front door and car windshield (which got wet and stuck to the window). Knight stuck to mailing information. I am still watching Lacombe trash blowing around my neighborhood when I walk around outside. Such a turnoff.
The Ones That Needed To Know...
...were made aware of the special election. The turnout was pathetic anyway. Mr. Knight is a hog farmer...what about the other guy(s) though? Must not have had much money. I pulled more garbage from my mailbox about Mr. Knight than I did for the elections in November. Do you think he wanted to win?
Not surprising....
This doesn't surprise me a bit. 99% of Pungo would have voted for their beloved simpleton George Bush again if they could've.
Democracy
This was hardly an ideal race. There was almost no information available about either candidate and only 6.5 percent voter turnout.
82% of how many votes
would be a nice thing to know. I didn't see it in the article...
Congrats!
I think it is a good thing that a farmer resprents the 81st. The General Assembly can benefit from a greater diversity of members. Oh, and I live in the 81st District so Mr. Knight will be my delegate in Richmond. He has a tough task to balance the budget. Hopefully he will look to reducing government spending as his first strategy, not raising taxes, fees, tolls, or taking on more debt.
A win for Virginia!
Great News! Knight has proven fiscal responsibility and will be a great representative of district.
Weeks to campaign
That's how it should be for all elections... just a few weeks, not agonizing years...