With the retirement of longtime Del. Ken Melvin (who was appointed to the bench), there is no incumbent in the 80th House of Delegates district. Matthew James became the Democratic nominee in this district after winning the June primary. He faces Republican Jennifer Lee. Both candidates are, as The Virginian-Pilot pointed out, first time candidates for public office. The 80th is a majority minority district, situated primarily in Portsmouth but also containing parts of Norfolk and Chesapeake. As shown on vpap, the district heavily favors Democrats.
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The race in the 64th district was profiled by the Pilot in Sunday’s paper. Democratic incumbent Bill Barlow has two challengers, at least on the ballot. One – Republican Stan Clark – is a serious challenger. The other? Well…
“I haven’t done anything to deserve votes,” he [Albert Burckard] said. “If I got elected, I would go to Richmond kicking and screaming.”
Burckard is a light rail proponent.
The 64th lies primarily in Isle of Wight and James City counties, plus parts of Williamsburg, Franklin, Surry County and Southampton County. Te district leans Republican, although Tim Kaine won it in 2005 with 51% of the vote and Mark Warner won it in 2008 with 63% of the vote.
Early on, there was talk that this would be a competitive race. I’ve not heard that recently.
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 