Villanueva re-elected to 21st House District seat

Posted to: Elections News Nov. 8 Results Politics State Government Virginia Beach
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By Aaron Applegate
The Virginian-Pilot
© November 9, 2011

VIRGINIA BEACH

After squeaking out a victory two years ago, Republican Del. Ron Villanueva put a definitive stamp on the 21st House District on Tuesday, soundly defeating Democratic newcomer Adrianne Bennett to earn his second term.

Villanueva, thronged by supporters and fellow elected officials, said it felt good to win by more than 16 votes - his margin of victory over Democrat Bobby Mathieson in 2009.

In his victory speech at Guadalajara restaurant in Town Center, Villanueva took a veiled jab at Bennett, who during the campaign said he wasn't well-known in the district.

"For the citizens of the 21st District, my name is Ron Villanueva!" he boomed.

During the campaign, Villanueva, a 41-year-old executive vice president of a defense contracting firm, stressed his seven years on the Beach City Council and his business experience as well as his opposition to a gas tax for transportation projects.

He touted his support for Gov. Bob McDonnell's $4 billion transportation plan, which is likely to include tolls.

Bennett, a 39-year-old attorney, ran on her support for public education and a willingness to consider a gas tax to help pay for transportation projects.

Villanueva had the fundraising edge.

He raised $284,000 and spent $218,000 as of Oct. 26, according to the Virginia Public Access Project, which tracks campaign spending.

The Republican Party of Virginia and associated party groups spent more than $100,000 on his campaign.

Bennett raised $164,000 and spent $149,000. About half of her money - $82,500 - came from her uncle, Carlton Bennett, a Beach lawyer.

Aaron Applegate, (757) 222-5122, aaron.applegate@pilotonline.com

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We certainly didn't need

Submitted by keithh41833 on Fri, 11/11/2011 at 12:03 pm.

We certainly didn't need another liberal democrat attorney in the state House of Delegates. Congratulations Ron!

Fundraising

Submitted by run4fun on Wed, 11/09/2011 at 8:40 am.

Great win for our District!! No more taxes

if i was able to, i

Submitted by jfr on Wed, 11/09/2011 at 3:43 am.

sure would have voted for almost anyone OTHER than him (this race not on my ballot)! I don't consider this a win for us at all, IMHO.

I don't know VA politics, but . . .

Submitted by Quandary on Tue, 11/08/2011 at 9:54 pm.

I don't get it. Never have I heard more be-aching and whining about roads than I have here in Tidewater, but you've re-elected a guy who is against gas taxes? Hate to break it to you, but roads get paid for with taxes, be they at the pump or at the toll. BTW, I think the roads her are atrocious too, but I didn't realize that ultimately it was the voters themselves who were responsible for this deplorable state of affairs. Good goin', guys, but please. No more whining and complaining about the roads in Hampton Roads. You're getting exactly what you've told your elected representatives you want.

Not in Va.Beach

Submitted by tm74368 on Wed, 11/09/2011 at 1:08 am.

In Va.Beach, taxes already in place are used to build hotels and parking garages. Then in a few years, our taxes have to be used to repair and maintain these parking garages (around 300,000 to 400,000) to enable our "private partners" to maintain their lifestyles.