VIRGINIA BEACH
Republican Chris P. Stolle unseated Democratic Del. Joe F. Bouchard on Tuesday night, avenging his narrow loss to Bouchard in 2007.
"This was a long time coming, let me tell you," Stolle told a cheering crowd of supporters about 9:30 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Virginia Beach. He was surrounded by family members, including his brother, Ken, a longtime state senator who on Tuesday was elected sheriff. Ken introduced his brother, a first-time elected official, as the "real politician in the Stolle family."
During the campaign, Stolle, 52, pledged to create jobs and said he'd push to levy taxes of future port earnings to pay for transportation projects.
A former Navy nuclear engineer, he is an obstetrician/gynecologist and vice president of medical affairs at Riverside Regional Medical Center in Newport News.
Bouchard beat Stolle in 2007 by 131 votes to win the seat vacated by longtime delegate Leo Wardrup, a Republican. The 83rd District covers the Bayside section of Virginia Beach.
"It was so close two years ago - this time to come out on top - winning feels a lot better than losing," Stolle said after his speech.
He said Bouchard called him to congratulate him.
Bouchard, 55, conceded just before 9 p.m., in a press release.
"I have tried to be an independent, common sense voice for Virginia Beach residents, and I am proud of what we were able to accomplish together in just two short years," said the release.
As in 2007, the campaign was both expensive and negative. Bouchard blamed Stolle for high infant mortality rates at his hospital, an accusation that drew criticism from medical groups. Stolle accused Bou-chard of voting for tax increases in his first term.
Aaron Applegate, (757) 222-5122, aaron.applegate@pilotonline.com
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brotherly love
VaBeach must love the Stolle brothers.
I'm glad for...
Mr. Stolle! After the despicable campaign ads that accused him of being a child killer, I'm glad the good guy really won! And given the disgusting letters the Pilot chose to be printed, which said that Stolle received all his money from outside the state, which was a blatant lie (and giving Bouchard a free pass, despite the fact the HE received most of his money from the state Dem Party, just like Stolle received the bulk of his from the STATE Republican party) I look at this as a referendum on the PILOT'S dishonesty in their part in all this as well! THEY endorsed Bouchard! Again, good for Mr. Stolle!