2013 Virginia elections

The following offices were up for election in the United States Commonwealth of Virginia in the November 5, 2013 general election.

Elections in Virginia
Federal government
U.S. President
U.S. Senate
U.S. House
State government
Governor
Lieutenant Governor
Attorney General
House of Delegates
Senate
Other
Ballot measures
2016 (Fairfax County)
Alexandria
Mayor
Chesapeake
Mayor
Hampton
Mayor
Norfolk
Mayor
Richmond
Mayor
City Council
Virginia Beach
Mayor
City Council

The Republican Party selected its statewide ticket at a convention in May 2013. Primaries were held on June 11, 2013, in which the Democratic Party selected its ticket, and contested races for party nominations were decided.

Democrat Terry McAuliffe was elected governor with 48% of the vote to 45% for Republican Ken Cuccinelli. Democrat Ralph Northam was elected lieutenant governor with 55% of the vote to 45% for Republican E.W. Jackson. In the attorney general election, Democrat Mark Herring beat Republican Mark Obenshain by 1,103,777 votes to 1,103,612 - a difference of 165 votes out of more than 2.2 million cast, or 0.007%.[1][2][3] After a recount,[4] Obenshain conceded the election on December 18, and later that day, the recount ended with Herring winning by 907 votes, or 0.04%. With Herring's victory, Democrats held all five statewide offices — including both U.S. Senate seats — for the first time since 1970.

Governor
Main article: 2013 Virginia gubernatorial election

The incumbent governor, Republican Bob McDonnell, was not eligible to run for re-election due to term limits established by the Virginia Constitution. Virginia is the only state that prohibits its governor from serving immediate successive terms.

Republican candidates

Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling and Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli had both indicated that they were running for the Republican Party's nomination for governor.[5] Bolling withdrew from the race on November 28, 2012,[6] making Cuccinelli the de facto nominee. Cuccinelli was formally nominated at the state convention on May 18, 2013.

Democratic candidates

Terry McAuliffe, former chairman of the Democratic National Committee and a candidate in the Democratic gubernatorial primary in 2009, declared his intent to again seek the Democratic nomination in November 2012.[7]

On April 2, 2013, The Democratic Party of Virginia certified that McAuliffe was the only candidate to file for the June primary, and was therefore the Democratic nominee.[8]

Libertarian candidate

Robert Sarvis, a lawyer and businessman, was nominated as the Libertarian Party of Virginia's official candidate on April 21, 2013, at a special convention.[9][10]

Sarvis' campaign submitted over 17,000 signatures to meet the Virginia State Board of Elections requirement of 10,000 valid signatures.[11] On June 26, 2013, the SBE confirmed to Sarvis' campaign that he would be listed on the ballot.[12] This makes Sarvis the fourth minor party gubernatorial nominee to get on the Virginia ballot in the last 40 years.[11]

Results
Virginia gubernatorial election, 2013
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Terry McAuliffe 1,069,859[13] 47.75%[13] +6.49%
Republican Ken Cuccinelli 1,013,354[13] 45.23%[13] −13.38%
Libertarian Robert Sarvis 146,084[13] 6.52%[13] +6.52%
Write-ins 11,087[13] 0.49%[13]
Plurality 56,435 2.52% −14.86%
Turnout 2,240,314[13] 100.00%
Democratic gain from Republican Swing

Lieutenant Governor
Main article: 2013 Virginia lieutenant gubernatorial election

After Republicans took two seats in the Virginia Senate in the 2011 elections to bring the Senate to a 20–20 tie, Republican Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling gained significant power with his tie-breaking vote. The Washington Post reported in November 2011 that this led to increased interest and speculation as to who would run for the post in 2013.[14]

Republican candidates

E. W. Jackson, a pastor, conservative activist and candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2012 was nominated after four ballots at the Republican convention.[15][16] He defeated former state senator Jeannemarie Devolites Davis,[17] State Representative Scott Lingamfelter,[18] State Senator Steve Martin,[19] Prince William Board of County Supervisors Chairman Corey Stewart,[20][21] Stafford County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Susan B. Stimpson[22] and venture capitalist and Fox News commentator Pete Snyder.[23]

Democratic candidates

In the June primary, State Senator Ralph Northam defeated Aneesh Chopra, former Chief Technology Officer of the United States and Secretary of Technology under Governor Tim Kaine.[21][24][25]

Results
Virginia lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2013
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Ralph Northam 1,213,155[13] 55.12%[13]
Republican E.W. Jackson 980,257[13] 44.54%[13]
Write-ins 7,472[13] 0.34%[13]
Majority 232,898 10.58%
Turnout 2,200,884[13]
Democratic gain from Republican Swing

Attorney General
Main article: 2013 Virginia Attorney General election

Incumbent attorney general Ken Cuccinelli did not run for re-election. The race was the most competitive of the three Virginia statewide elections. The Virginia State Board of Elections initially reported that Herring led Obenshain by 1,103,777 votes to 1,103,612 - a difference of 165 votes out of more than 2.2 million cast.[13] The results were certified on November 25, declaring Herring as the winner by 165 votes.[2] Obenshain requested a recount,[26] and conceded on December 18, 2013, after Herring's lead grew in the recount to 810 votes.[27]

Republican candidates

On May 18, 2013, a Republican state convention in Richmond nominated state Senator Mark Obenshain of Harrisonburg over state Delegate Rob Bell.[28]

Democratic candidates

The Democratic primary was won by State Senator Mark Herring, who defeated former Assistant United States Attorney Justin Fairfax.[24]

Results

The results were certified on November 25, 2013. Obenshain requested a recount due to the close race, as allowed for by Virginia law when the margin is under 1%.[26] After the recount did not change the results substantially, Obenshain conceded on December 18, 2013.[29]

Virginia Attorney General election, 2013
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Mark Herring 1,105,045[30] 49.91% +7.62%
Republican Mark Obenshain 1,104,138[30] 49.87% -7.64%
Write-ins 4,892[13] 0.22% +0.13%
Plurality 907 0.04%
Turnout 2,214,075
Democratic gain from Republican Swing

House of Delegates
Main article: 2013 Virginia House of Delegates election

Republicans currently hold 68 seats and Democrats hold 32 seats in the 100-seat House of Delegates.

Primaries

Four incumbent Republicans were challenged in primaries that centered around Gov. McDonnell's controversial transportation funding overhaul that imposed a $1.2 billion per year tax increase.[31] 34 House Republicans voted for the bill, causing an uproar amongst conservatives.[31] No sitting Republican delegate had faced a primary challenge since 2005.[32] In the June 11, 2013 primary, two veteran Republicans who supported the transportation plan were defeated: businessman Dave LaRock beat 33rd District Del. Joe T. May 57%-43%, and physician Mark Berg ousted 29th District Del. Beverly Sherwood by a 51%-49% margin.[32][33] Both May and Sherwood held committee chairmanships; their ouster opens the chairmanships of the Transportation Committee (chaired by May) and the Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources Committee (chaired by Sherwood).[34] House Speaker Bill Howell and Del. Bobby Orrock handily defeated their primary challengers.[32]

In the Democratic primaries, Del. Rosalyn Dance staved off a challenge from Evandra Thompson, who said Dance voted with Republicans too often, winning by less than 300 votes.[35] Del. Algie Howell easily beat his primary challenger.[36]

Open seats
  • In the 4th District, incumbent Democrat Joseph P. Johnson is retiring.[37] Republican Ben Chafin, an attorney and farmer,[38] ran unopposed[39] as no Democrats filed to run for the seat.[40][41]
  • In the 6th District, incumbent Republican Anne B. Crockett-Stark is also retiring.[37] Jeff Campbell, former mayor of Saltville, was the Republican nominee, having won the primary with 71% of the vote.[42] Attorney and former Carroll County Democratic Party chairman Jonathan McGrady was the Democratic nominee.[43] Campbell won the general election with 57% of the vote.[41]
  • In the 16th District, incumbent Republican Donald Merricks chose not to run for re-election to focus on his business.[44] Les Adams, an attorney and former Pittsylvania County prosecutor, was the Republican nominee and was to have run unopposed in the general election.[45] Elizabeth Jones ultimately ran as the Democratic nominee, though lost to Adams' 63% of the vote.[41][46]
  • In the 19th District, the longest-serving member in the history of the House of Delegates, Lacey Putney, an independent who caucuses with the Republicans, decided to retire.[47] Botetourt County Board of Supervisors member Terry Austin won the Republican nomination at a party canvass in May,[48] and faced Democratic businessman Lewis Medlin,[49] as well as Constitution Party nominee Joshua Ball[50] in the general election.[51] Austin won with 70% of the vote.[41]
  • In the 53rd District, incumbent Democrat Jim Scott is retiring.[52] Scott's former aide Marcus Simon was the Democratic nominee for the seat.[53] Small business owner Brad Tidwell was the Republican nominee.[54] Libertarian Party candidate Anthony Gabriel Tellez also appeared on the November ballot.[55] Simon won the general election with nearly 67% of the vote.[41]
  • In the 55th District, incumbent Republican John Cox is retiring.[56] Running to succeed him were Republican Buddy Fowler, a Republican activist and former Cox aide;[57] Democrat Toni Radler, an activist; and Libertarian Christopher Sullivan, a farmer.[58] Fowler won the general election with 57% of the vote.[41]
  • In the 82nd District, incumbent Republican Harry "Bob" Purkey decided not to seek re-election.[59] Virginia Beach city councilman Bill DeSteph is the Republican nominee. Democrat Bill Fleming, who was defeated in a January 2010 state Senate special election by Sen. Jeff McWaters, is the Democratic nominee.[60] DeSteph won the general election with 60% of the vote.[41]
  • In the 84th District, incumbent Republican Sal Iaquinto is resigning to accept an appointment to serve as an interim judge on the Virginia Beach General District Court.[61] Republican Virginia Beach city councilman Glenn Davis and Democrat Brent McKenzie, a former Virginia Beach school board member, ran to replace him,[62][63] with Davis taking 57% of the general election vote.[41]
  • In the 85th District, incumbent Republican Bob Tata is retiring.[64] Businessman and former Navy SEAL Scott Taylor won a three-way primary for the Republican nomination.[65] 2012 Virginia Beach city council candidate Bill Dale was the Democratic nominee.[63] Taylor won the general election with 57% of the vote.[41]

Incumbents losing reelection

Two incumbents lost reelection. Democrat Monty Mason defeated Republican Michael B. Watson in the 93rd district, while Democrat Michael Futrell defeated Republican Mark Dudenhefer in the second district.[66]

References
  1. "Virginia Board of Elections – Election Night Results". November 7, 2013. Archived from the original on November 9, 2013. Retrieved November 7, 2013.
  2. Vozzella, Laura (November 25, 2013). "Herring wins Virginia attorney general race, elections board announces". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 25, 2013.
  3. Rogers, Alex (November 13, 2013). "With 164 Vote Attorney General Victory, Virginia Democrats Sweep State". Time Magazine. Swampland. Retrieved November 12, 2013.
  4. "Obenshain to request recount in attorney general race". Richmond Times-Dispatch. November 26, 2013. Retrieved November 27, 2013.
  5. Kumar, Anita (March 22, 2012). "Cuccinelli files papers for gubernatorial run". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 25, 2012.
  6. Times-Dispatch Staff (November 28, 2012). "Bolling exits governor's race, clearing GOP path for Cuccinelli". The Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved November 28, 2012.
  7. Burns, Alexander (November 9, 2012). "McAuliffe emails: 'I plan on running for Governor of Virginia in 2013'". Politico. Retrieved November 9, 2012.
  8. Walker, Julian (April 2, 2013). "McAuliffe named Dem governor nominee, 4 others make ballot". The Virginian-Pilot. Retrieved April 3, 2013.
  9. Montoni, Marc (April 4, 2013). "LPVA Calls Special Convention for April 21". Libertarian Party of Virginia. Retrieved April 27, 2013.
  10. Lesiak, Krzysztof (April 22, 2013). "Robert Sarvis Receives Libertarian Party of Virginia Nomination for Governor in 2013". Independent Political Report. Retrieved April 27, 2013.
  11. Winger, Richard (June 12, 2013). "Rob Sarvis, Libertarian Candidate for Governor of Virginia, Submits 18,000 Signatures". Ballot Access News. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  12. "Libertarian Candidate Robert Sarvis Makes the Ballot in Virginia Governor's Race". Charlottesville Newsplex. June 26, 2013. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  13. "Unofficial Results – General Election – November 5, 2013". Virginia State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on November 9, 2013. Retrieved November 7, 2013.
  14. Pershing, Ben; Kumar, Anita (November 16, 2011). "Corey Stewart, Keith Fimian among hopefuls weighing 2013 run for Va. lieutenant governor". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 21, 2012.
  15. Walker, Julian (November 20, 2012). "Chesapeake's Jackson confirms LG plans". The Virginian-Pilot. Retrieved November 28, 2012.
  16. Schmidt, Markus (May 18, 2013). "Minister and lawyer E.W. Jackson wins GOP nomination". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved May 19, 2013.
  17. Haines, Errin (September 24, 2012). "Jeannemarie Devolites Davis running for lieutenant governor". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 21, 2012.
  18. Kumar, Anita (June 28, 2012). "Scott Lingamfelter announces run for lieutenant governor". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 21, 2012.
  19. Vozzella, Laura (June 20, 2012). "Virginia Sen. Stephen Martin plans run for lt. governor". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 21, 2012.
  20. Nobles, Ryan (April 11, 2012). "Stewart gets jump on unsettled 2013 field". Decision Virginia. Retrieved May 3, 2012.
  21. Borden, Jeremy (April 9, 2012). "Prince William's Stewart announces run for lieutenant governor". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 3, 2012.
  22. Vozzella, Laura (August 23, 2012). "Susan Stimpson announces lieutenant governor bid". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 21, 2012.
  23. "Snyder announces LG run on NBC12 First at 4". NBC12 News. November 26, 2012.
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  25. Nobles, Ryan (July 12, 2012). "Chopra jumps into race for Lt. Governor". WWBT. Retrieved July 13, 2012.
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  29. Obenshain concedes in Va. AG race
  30. Ress, Dave (December 19, 2013). "It's official: Recount results show 907 vote margin for Herring". Daily Press. Archived from the original on January 3, 2014. Retrieved January 2, 2014.
  31. Laura Vozzella (September 15, 2011). "Virginia primary: House Republicans face rare challenges in wake of transportation bill". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
  32. Laura Vozzella (September 15, 2011). "2 GOP delegates ousted in Va. primary". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
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  45. "Former Pittsylvania County prosecutor to run for 16th District House seat". Wsls.com. Archived from the original on December 2, 2013. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
  46. "16th District". VPAP. Archived from the original on December 2, 2013. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
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  48. Dwayne Yancey (May 7, 2013). "Austin wins Republican nomination for House of Delegates". Blogs.roanoke.com. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
  49. Jordan Fifer (May 21, 2013). "Lewis Medlin joins race to represent 19th District in House of Delegates". Roanoke.com. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
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  51. "19th District". VPAP. Archived from the original on December 2, 2013. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
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  53. "State Del. Jim Scott, Human Rights Champion, Won't Seek 12th Term". Fcnp.com. March 6, 2013. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
  54. "F.C.'s Tidwell to Seek GOP Nod in 53rd District". Fcnp.com. May 20, 2013. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
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  57. "Fowler running for GOP in 55th House district". News.fredericksburg.com. March 13, 2013. Archived from the original on December 2, 2013. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
  58. "Hanover has race for House of Delegates seat". Timesdispatch.com. May 23, 2013. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
  59. "Longtime Va Del. Purkey won't seek re-election". Wtop.com. Archived from the original on December 3, 2013. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
  60. "Bill Fleming". VPAP. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
  61. Gonzalez, Veronica (June 1, 2013). "Va. Beach Del. Iaquinto appointed to judgeship". Hamptonroads.com. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
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  64. "Long-serving Va. Beach delegate won't seek re-election". Hamptonroads.com. March 27, 2012. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
  65. Adams, Kathy (June 12, 2013). "Opponents concede to Taylor in 85th District primary". Hamptonroads.com. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
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