2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Virginia

The 2010 congressional elections in Virginia were held November 2, 2010, to determine who will represent the state of Virginia in the United States House of Representatives. Representatives are elected for two-year terms; those elected served in the 112th Congress from January 2011 until January 2013.

2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Virginia

← 2008November 2, 2010 (2010-11-02)2012 →

All 11 Virginia seats to the United States House of Representatives
 Majority partyMinority party
 
PartyRepublicanDemocratic
Last election56
Seats won83
Seat changeIncrease 3Decrease 3
Popular vote1,186,098911,116
Percentage54.16%41.61%
SwingIncrease 8.65%Decrease 11.40%

Primary elections were held on June 9, 2010. After a poor showing in 2008, the Republican Party made significant gains and defeated three Democratic incumbents. Republicans would go onto hold a majority of House districts in Virginia until 2018.

Overview

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United States House of Representatives elections in Virginia, 2010[1]
PartyVotesPercentageSeats BeforeSeats After+/–
Republican1,186,09854.16%58+3
Democratic911,11641.61%63-3
Libertarian23,6811.08%00-
Independent Greens21,3740.98%00-
Independents/Write-In47,5722.17%00-
Totals2,189,841100.00%1111

By district

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Results of the 2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Virginia by district:[2]

DistrictRepublicanDemocraticOthersTotalResult
Votes%Votes%Votes%Votes%
District 1135,56463.88%73,82434.78%2,8481.34%212,236100.0%Republican hold
District 288,34053.12%70,59142.45%7,3584.43%166,289100.0%Republican gain
District 344,55327.18%114,75470.02%4,5932.80%163,900100.0%Democratic hold
District 4123,65962.33%74,29837.45%4320.22%198,389100.0%Republican hold
District 5119,56050.81%110,56246.99%5,1772.20%235,299100.0%Republican gain
District 6127,48776.27%00.00%39,66723.73%167,154100.0%Republican hold
District 7138,20959.22%79,61634.11%15,5776.67%233,402100.0%Republican hold
District 871,14537.30%116,40461.02%3,1991.68%190,748100.0%Democratic hold
District 995,72651.21%86,74346.41%4,4482.38%186,917100.0%Republican gain
District 10131,11662.87%72,60434.81%4,8362.32%208,556100.0%Republican hold
District 11110,73948.79%111,72049.23%4,4921.98%226,951100.0%Democratic hold
Total1,186,09854.16%911,11641.61%92,6274.23%2,189,841100.0%

District 1

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2010 Virginia's 1st congressional district election

← 2008
2012 →
 
CandidateRob WittmanKrystal Ball
PartyRepublicanDemocratic
Popular vote135,56473,824
Percentage63.9%34.8%

County and independent city results
Wittman:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Ball:      50–60%

U.S. Representative before election

Rob Wittman
Republican

Elected U.S. Representative

Rob Wittman
Republican

Virginia's 1st Congressional District election, 2010
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanRob Wittman (incumbent) 135,564 63.87
DemocraticKrystal Ball73,82434.78
Independent GreensG. Gail Parker2,5441.20
Write-in3040.14
Total votes212,236 100
Republican hold

Republican incumbent Rob Wittman was challenged by Democratic nominee Krystal Ball, a 28-year-old accountant and businesswoman.[3][4] Independent Green candidate Gail "for Rail" Parker (campaign site, PVS), businesswoman, retired U.S. Air Force officer, and Vice Chair of the Independent Green Party of Virginia, was also on the ballot.[5]

In the Republican primary, Wittman won against self-described Tea Party movement member Catherine Crabill. Crabill's candidacy had been controversial due to her statements that the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was intended to help citizens protect themselves from tyranny.[clarification needed][6] and that citizens may have to turn from the ballot box to the bullet box.[7] In 2009, Wittman and Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell refused to endorse her for the Virginia House of Delegates.[8] McDonnell spokesman Tucker Martin stated, "It's absolutely wrong for any candidate of any party to refer to the actions of the President of the United States and members of the United States Congress as 'domestic terrorism,' and to threaten to resort to violence if one fails to prevail in elections."[9] Crabill refused to retract her remarks, saying "Those are my convictions."[10] Wittman voted against the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 during the financial crisis, against economic stimulus packages, and against the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010,[11] so had been deemed by some commentators to be difficult to get to the right of. But there was also deemed to be good reason for Wittman to worry about the primary's outcome, given the anti-government mood of the country.[10] Wittman defeated Crabill with approximately 90% of the vote.[12]

District 2

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2010 Virginia's 2nd congressional district election

← 2008
2012 →
 
CandidateScott RigellGlenn Nye
PartyRepublicanDemocratic
Popular vote88,34070,591
Percentage53.1%42.5%

County and independent city results
Rigell:      40–50%      50–60%
Nye:      50–60%

U.S. Representative before election

Glenn Nye
Democratic

Elected U.S. Representative

Scott Rigell
Republican

Virginia's 2nd Congressional District election, 2010
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanScott Rigell 88,340 53.12
DemocraticGlenn Nye (incumbent)70,59142.45
IndependentKenny Golden7,1944.33
Write-in1640.10
Total votes166,289 100
Republican gain from Democratic

Democratic incumbent Glenn Nye was challenged by Republican businessman Scott Rigell[13] and Independent Kenny Golden (site[permanent dead link], PVS), a retired Navy Commodore.[14][15]

Rigell won the Republican primary election over four other businessmen: Ed Maulbeck, Ben Loyola, Army Brigadier General Bert Mizusawa, former Navy SEAL turned local business owner Scott Taylor,[16][17] and Jessica Sandlin, a single mother of 5 native to Virginia Beach. Bert Mizusawa raised more money than any candidate in the last two periods, and was considered a frontrunner. Businessman Rigell was the other frontrunner, receiving major endorsements from Thelma Drake, and Bob McDonnell's daughter.[18]

District 3

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2010 Virginia's 3rd congressional district election

← 2008
2012 →
 
CandidateBobby ScottChuck Smith
PartyDemocraticRepublican
Popular vote114,75444,553
Percentage70.0%27.2%

U.S. Representative before election

Bobby Scott
Democratic

Elected U.S. Representative

Bobby Scott
Democratic

Virginia's 3rd Congressional District election, 2010
PartyCandidateVotes%
DemocraticRobert C. Scott (incumbent) 114,754 70.01
RepublicanChuck Smith44,55327.18
LibertarianJames Quigley2,3831.45
IndependentJohn D. Kelly2,0391.24
Write-in1710.10
Total votes163,900 100
Democratic hold

Democratic incumbent Bobby Scott was challenged by Republican nominee former JAG Chuck Smith (campaign site, PVS) of Virginia Beach, Libertarian James Quigley (campaign site, PVS) of Hampton, and Independent John Kelly (campaign site, PVS).[15][19]

Scott has run unopposed in five of the last six elections in what is considered a "safe" Democratic district. The district's current configuration dates to 1993, when the Justice Department ordered Virginia to create a majority-minority district.

District 4

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2010 Virginia's 4th congressional district election

← 2008
2012 →
 
CandidateRandy ForbesWynne LeGrow
PartyRepublicanDemocratic
Popular vote123,65974,298
Percentage62.3%37.5%

County and independent city results
Forbes:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
LeGrow:      50–60%      70–80%

U.S. Representative before election

Randy Forbes
Republican

Elected U.S. Representative

Randy Forbes
Republican

Virginia's 4th Congressional District election, 2010
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanRandy Forbes (incumbent) 123,659 62.33
DemocraticWynne LeGrow74,29837.45
Write-in4320.22
Total votes198,389 100
Republican hold

Republican incumbent Randy Forbes was challenged by Democratic nominee Wynne LeGrow of Emporia. Forbes retained his seat by beating his Democratic challenger by earning 62% of votes cast.[20]

Forbes was first elected to the House in 2001 to fill a vacancy caused by the death of ten-term Democratic Congressman Norman Sisisky. Forbes defeated Democratic State Senator Louise Lucas 52-48% that year. He ran unopposed by Democrats in 2002 and 2006.

District 5

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2010 Virginia's 5th congressional district election

← 2008
2012 →
 
CandidateRobert HurtTom Perriello
PartyRepublicanDemocratic
Popular vote119,560110,562
Percentage50.8%47.0%

County and independent city results
Hurt:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
Perriello:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

U.S. Representative before election

Tom Perriello
Democratic

Elected U.S. Representative

Robert Hurt
Republican

Virginia's 5th Congressional District election, 2010
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanRobert Hurt 119,560 50.81
DemocraticTom Perriello (incumbent)110,56246.99
IndependentJeffrey Clark4,9922.12
Write-in1850.08
Total votes235,299 100
Republican gain from Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Tom Perriello was challenged by Republican Robert Hurt, state Senator from Chatham,[21] and independent Jeffrey A. Clark (campaign site, PVS), a businessman from Danville.[22]

In 2008, Perriello defeated Republican incumbent Virgil Goode. Goode did not seek a rematch in 2010,[23] although he said several Conservative groups asked him to run on a pro-Tea Party ticket, due to their dissatisfaction with the Republicans.[24]

Hurt won the primary election over six other candidates: Republican activist Feda Kidd Morton, private real estate investor Laurence Verga, Albemarle County Supervisor Ken Boyd, businessman Ron Ferrin, Jim McKelvey from Franklin County, and Michael McPadden.[25] Perriello faced no opposition in the Democratic primary.

Polling

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Poll SourceDates AdministeredTom Perriello (D)Robert Hurt (R)Jeffrey Clark (I)Undecided
Survey USA[26][27]September 28, 201035%58%4%3%
Benenson Strategy Group[28]September 21, 201044%46%4%5%
Global Strategy Group[29]September 7, 201042%44%6%7%
Survey USA[30]September 2, 201035%61%2%2%
American Action Forum[31]August 12, 201043%49%-8%
Survey USA[32]July 20, 201035%58%4%3%
Public Policy Polling[33]February 5–10, 201044%44%

District 6

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2010 Virginia's 6th congressional district election

← 2008
2012 →
 
CandidateBob GoodlatteJeff VankeStuart Bain
PartyRepublicanIndependentLibertarian
Popular vote127,48721,64915,309
Percentage76.3%13.0%9.2%

County and independent city results
Goodlatte:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%

U.S. Representative before election

Bob Goodlatte
Republican

Elected U.S. Representative

Bob Goodlatte
Republican

Virginia's 6th Congressional District election, 2010
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanBob Goodlatte (incumbent) 127,487 76.27
IndependentJeff Vanke21,64912.95
LibertarianStuart Bain15,3099.16
Write-in2,7091.62
Total votes167,154 100
Republican hold

Incumbent Republican Bob Goodlatte faced no primary opposition, and was re-elected to a 10th term in the general election on November 2, capturing 76% of the vote.[34][35]

Jeff Vanke of Roanoke ran as an Independent,[36] citing endorsements by the Modern Whig Party, American Centrist Party and Independent Green Party of Virginia,[37] and received 13% of the vote.[34][35]

Stuart Bain of Salem ran as a Libertarian[38][39] and received 9% of the vote.[34][35]

District 7

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2010 Virginia's 7th congressional district election

← 2008
2012 →
 
CandidateEric CantorRick Waugh
PartyRepublicanDemocratic
Popular vote138,20979,616
Percentage59.2%34.1%

County and independent city results
Cantor:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Waugh:      40–50%      50–60%

U.S. Representative before election

Eric Cantor
Republican

Elected U.S. Representative

Eric Cantor
Republican

Virginia's 7th Congressional District election, 2010
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanEric Cantor (incumbent) 138,209 59.22
DemocraticRick Waugh79,61634.11
Independent GreensFloyd Bayne15,1646.50
Write-in4130.18
Total votes233,402 100
Republican hold

Incumbent Republican Congressman and U.S. House Minority Whip Eric Cantor sought a sixth term and faced no primary opposition. Rick Waugh (campaign site, PVS) was the Democratic nominee, and Floyd C. Bayne (campaign site, PVS) was the Independent Greens of Virginia and Tea Party supported candidate. Tea Party-supported independent candidate Herb Lux (campaign site) had his emergency appeal to the United States Supreme Court turned aside on October 1, 2010, and so did not appear on the ballot.[40]

District 8

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2010 Virginia's 8th congressional district election

← 2008
2012 →
 
CandidateJim MoranJay Patrick Murray
PartyDemocraticRepublican
Popular vote116,40471,145
Percentage61.0%37.3%

County and independent city results
Moran:      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. Representative before election

Jim Moran
Democratic

Elected U.S. Representative

Jim Moran
Democratic

Virginia's 8th Congressional District election, 2010
PartyCandidateVotes%
DemocraticJim Moran (incumbent) 116,404 61.03
RepublicanJay Patrick Murray71,14537.30
Independent GreensJ. Ron Fisher2,7071.42
Write-in4920.26
Total votes190,748 100
Democratic hold

Democratic incumbent Jim Moran was challenged by Republican nominee Jay Patrick Murray, a retired United States Army Colonel,[41][42] and Independent Green Party nominee Ron Fisher (campaign site, PVS), a retired U.S. Navy captain.

Moran ran for re-election for an 11th term, and faced no primary opposition. Former Republican primary candidates were:

Polling

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SourceDates AdministeredJim Moran (D)Patrick Murray (R)Undecided/Other
Pollster unavailable, results via the Washington PostOctober 201058%31%11%
McLaughlin & AssociatesSeptember 201045%32%23%

District 9

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2010 Virginia's 9th congressional district election

← 2008
2012 →
 
CandidateMorgan GriffithRick Boucher
PartyRepublicanDemocratic
Popular vote95,72686,743
Percentage51.2%46.4%

County and independent city results
Griffith:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
Boucher:      40–50%      50–60%

U.S. Representative before election

Rick Boucher
Democratic

Elected U.S. Representative

Morgan Griffith
Republican

Virginia's 9th Congressional District election, 2010
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanMorgan Griffith 95,726 51.21
DemocraticRick Boucher (incumbent)86,74346.41
IndependentJeremiah Heaton4,2822.29
Write-in1660.09
Total votes186,917 100
Republican gain from Democratic

Democratic incumbent Rick Boucher was challenged by Republican nominee Morgan Griffith, the Majority Leader of the Virginia House of Delegates, and Independent Jeremiah Heaton (campaign site, PVS), a U.S. Army veteran, farmer and businessman.[47]

Boucher, who had represented the district since 1983, was unopposed on the Democratic side. On the Republican side, Griffith was selected by a convention held on May 22, 2010 at Fort Chiswell High School in Max Meadows. Delegates to the convention were selected by 23 local committee mass meetings held between February 25 and April 29.[48][49] Other Republican candidates for the nomination were:

The 9th District covers much of Southwest Virginia.

District 10

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2010 Virginia's 10th congressional district election

← 2008
2012 →
 
CandidateFrank WolfJeff Barnett
PartyRepublicanDemocratic
Popular vote119,56072,604
Percentage62.9%34.8%

County and independent city results
Wolf:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

U.S. Representative before election

Frank Wolf
Republican

Elected U.S. Representative

Frank Wolf
Republican

Virginia's 10th Congressional District election, 2010
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanFrank Wolf (incumbent) 131,116 62.87
DemocraticJeff Barnett72,60434.81
LibertarianBill Redpath4,6072.21
Write-in2290.11
Total votes208,556 100
Republican hold

Republican incumbent Frank Wolf was running for re-election for a 16th term. He was challenged by Democrat Jeff Barnett (campaign site, PVS) and Libertarian William Redpath.

Wolf was unopposed on the Republican side. Barnett won the Democratic primary election against Richard Anthony[55] and Julien Modica.[56]

Former candidates were:

  • Dennis Findley (D) - McLean resident and architect[57]
  • Jim Trautz (R) - Loudoun County resident and former naval officer[58]

The district, located in northern Virginia, includes some Washington, D.C. suburbs, but extends far west and north along the border of Maryland and West Virginia. In most Presidential elections of the past few decades, the district has been won by Republican candidates. The most recent exception is the 2008 election when Democratic then-Senator Barack Obama won the district, and became the first Democrat since Johnson to win Virginia's electoral votes. Republican Governor Mitt Romney won the district 2012, but President Obama again won Virginia.

District 11

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2010 Virginia's 11th congressional district election

← 2008
2012 →
 
CandidateGerry ConnollyKeith Fimian
PartyDemocraticRepublican
Popular vote111,720110,739
Percentage49.2%48.8%

County and independent city results
Connolly:      50–60%
Fimiam:      50–60%

U.S. Representative before election

Gerry Connolly
Democratic

Elected U.S. Representative

Gerry Connolly
Democratic

Virginia's 11th Congressional District election, 2010
PartyCandidateVotes%
DemocraticGerry Connolly (incumbent) 111,720 49.23
RepublicanKeith Fimian110,73948.79
IndependentChristopher DeCarlo1,8460.81
LibertarianDavid Dotson1,3820.61
Independent GreensDavid Gillis, Jr.9590.42
Write-in1710.08
Total votes226,951 100
Democratic hold

Democratic incumbent Gerry Connolly faced Republican Keith Fimian, who lost to Connolly in 2008. Also on the ballot were Libertarian David L. Dotson (campaign site, PVS),[59] Independent Green David William Gillis, Jr. (campaign site, PVS), and Independent Christopher F. DeCarlo (campaign site, PVS).[15]

Connolly was unopposed for the Democratic nomination. Fimian won against Pat Herrity in the Republican primary election,[60][61] beating him 56%-44%, with 35,890 votes cast.[62]

References

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