Sarah Hutchins
The Virginian-Pilot
©
Regardless of their party label, incumbents easily defeated their challengers Tuesday in two Hampton Roads primaries.
In the 90th House District, which covers southeast Norfolk and a small part of Virginia Beach, four-term Del. Algie T. Howell, Jr. easily defeated retired Norfolk police officer Rick James for the Democratic nomination.
According to unofficial results, Howell received 60 percent of the votes – 1,311 to James’ 883.
About five percent of registered voters turned out for the primary.
Howell’s win ensured that he will represent the district for another term.
A spokesman for the Republican Party of Virginia said the party will not run a candidate against Howell in the November election.
In the 3rd Senate District, which stretches from the Peninsula south into Suffolk and western Tidewater, Senate Minority Leader Tommy Norment defeated Tea Party challenger Mark Frechette by a margin better than 2-1 for the Republican nomination.
Unofficial results Tuesday evening showed Norment with 11,225 votes, compared with Frechette’s 4,253. Slightly more than 10 percent of district voters turned out.
The Norment-Frechette matchup was one of seven Republican Senate nominating contests on the ballot Tuesday. The party has set its sights on regaining control of the state Senate, where Democrats presently have a 22-18 majority.
“With tonight’s results, our caucus is ideally positioned to win a majority on November 8,” said Norment, R-James City.
In Louisa County, ground zero for Tuesday’s earthquake, the shockwaves forced some polling places to operate with the aid of backup generators, according to a State Board of Elections spokeswoman.
Some precincts in Culpeper and Gloucester, York and Fairfax counties had to conduct voting in parking lots outside polling places.
Though there was some isolated voting interruption, Gov. Bob McDonnell said it didn’t appear that any polling place was inactive for more than 30 minutes.
State law permits the governor to cancel or postpone elections, McDonnell added, but not extend voting hours. He decided that option wasn’t necessary because there was so little downtime.
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hmmmmm...
"Regardless of their party label, incumbents easily defeated their challengers..."
This line makes no sense since this was a primary election, unless the writer wants to imply that the incumbents will not be voted out in the general election...
And, shouldn't it be "defeat" instead of "defeated"?
Embrace your government with - - -
"About five percent of registered voters turned out for the primary"
The other 95 per cent of registered need not complain.
Those not registered, you should not complain and shame on you!
However, you will complain (bit*h) when the government you did not elect, does not abide with your uncast vote.