RK ARCHIVE - Democrat Shannon Valentine wins special election in blow out

Democrat Shannon Valentine wins special election in blow out

By: Corey
Published On: 1/10/2006 2:00:00 AM

With 19 of 21 precincts reporting the State Board of Elections is reporting that Democrat Shannon Valentine has defeated Republican Michael Harrington in today's special election in the 23rd district with over 54% of the vote. The election was to fill the vacated seat of moderate Republican Preston Bryant who left to join the Kaine cabinet. The victory - a DEMOCRATIC PICKUP - now gives the Democrats 40 seats in the House of Delegates (along with 56 Republicans, 3 Independents, and 1 open seat). I'll have the final numbers when they are reported.

There is a Daily Kos thread on the race here.

Update: Now 20 of 21 precincts reporting and Valentine has 56.9% of the vote.

Update 2: Unofficial results: Valentine 57.50%, Harrington 42.41%

Comments

Ooooeeeeewoweee! (KathyinBlacksburg - 4/4/2006 11:31:13 PM)

Congrats Shannon! Do (AlecBGreen - 4/4/2006 11:31:13 PM)

Congrats Shannon! Do us proud in Richmond.

-Alec

A last-minute letter (Waldo Jaquith - 4/4/2006 11:31:13 PM)

A last-minute letter was sent out by Falwell, too. This is a reminder that the man carries no weight in Lynchburg. He's a political non-entity.

Good point. Goodlat (Corey - 4/4/2006 11:31:13 PM)

Good point. Goodlatte campaigned hard. I suppose the opposite is true as well, it was a high confidence vote in Warner and Kaine who campaigned hard for Valentine.

Entrenched Congressm (Rick O'Dell - 4/4/2006 11:31:13 PM)

Entrenched Congressman Bob Goodlatte campaigned heavily for Michael Harrington. Some could view the results of the Valentine/Harrington race as a de facto no vote of confidence for Goodlatte. 'Tis time to put forth a viable Democratic candidate!