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First District Rep. Rob Wittman of Westmoreland County talks with election official Darlene Sanchez Rep. Eric Cantor of Henrico County won re-election to a fifth term in the 7th District, which extends into Spotsylvania, Culpeper and Orange counties. |
By KELLY HANNON
Democrats occupy both Virginia's Senate seats for the first time since 1970, but Fredericksburg-area congressional races yesterday were dominated by Republicans.
GOP incumbent Rep. Rob Wittman won his first full term as congressman for Virginia's 1st District, and Republican Rep. Eric Cantor kept his 7th District seat for a fifth term.
"I'm very humbled by the support that people have shown me and the confidence they have placed in me," said Wittman, who commutes back and forth to Capitol Hill from Westmoreland County most nights.
At press time, Wittman won with nearly 58 percent of the vote.
Wittman, 49, was elected to serve the remaining year of Rep. Jo Ann Davis' term in a special election. Davis died from breast cancer last fall.
Wittman was sworn into office in December. He had previously served in the Virginia House of Delegates, on the Westmoreland Board of Supervisors, and Montross Town Council.
Last night, Wittman celebrated his victory at Kiln Creek Golf Club in Newport News. Wittman said voters responded to his position on four core issues: the economy, energy, expanding access to health care and cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay.
"I think those are the things that are important to people," Wittman said.
Wittman's opponent, Fauquier resident and Democrat Bill Day, 56, had 41 percent of the vote at press time.
Day faced tough odds, since a Republican has held the 1st District congressional seat for 30 years. "I think we did better than we have in the past," he said.
Day's campaign focused on expanding alternative energy sources, the economy and jobs, and universal health care.
He congratulated Wittman on running a "clean and positive" campaign. "I have a lot of respect for him for that," Day said.
He wouldn't rule out a run in the future. "It seems to be in my blood I'm certainly open to it," he said.
Libertarian candidate Nathan Larson received 1percent of the votes in the 1st District congressional race.
Cantor, 45, of Richmond, had never gotten less than 64 percent of the votes in his district, which includes parts of Caroline and Spotsylvania counties, along with Culpeper, Orange and Louisa counties.
Cantor matched that yesterday, capturing 64 percent as of press time. "It's a tough year for Republicans," he acknowledged.
Cantor is chief deputy whip in the House of Representatives, and he helped design the recent $700 billion package that assisted the financial industry.
This year, voters care about financial matters, he said.
"Obviously, the No. 1 issue on the minds of voters is the economy and it is jobs," said Cantor, who watched election results from the Marriott hotel in Richmond.
In his next term, Cantor said he wants to get the economy "back on track" by limiting tax increases on small businesses. Also, Cantor wants to help workers keep their health insurance even if they lose their job.
Cantor's opponent, Anita Hartke, a real-estate broker from Culpeper, received almost 36 percent of the vote by press time.
Hartke, 48, watched election returns from her home last night, surrounded by family.
She congratulated Cantor. "I want to work with him on what's best for Virginia, for the policies that are best for the people," Hartke said.
Hartke championed new job creation, alternative energy, and expanded health care coverage during the campaign. She said she plans to be on the ballot again in 2010. "It's just been a wonderful experience to meet all of the great people of Virginia," Hartke said.
The party balance of Virginia's 11 congressional seats in the House of Representatives has changed. Before the election, Virginia had eight Republicans in the House and three Democrats. At press time, Republicans were assured of five seats. And three seats Republicans had held were too close to call.
Kelly Hannon: 540/374-5436
Email: khannon@freelancestar.com
