Heather Bell
The Democratic party gained control of the Virginia House of Delegates following Tuesday’s election, giving the party full control of both houses of the Virginia General Assembly.
Locally, the results saw victories for Republicans.
The City of Radford and parts of Montgomery County are represented by the 5th Senate district. Incumbent T. Travis Hackworth, a Republican, won the election with 68%, or 35,905 votes. Robert W. Beckman, a Democrat, received 31.86%, or 16,823 votes. There were 73 write-in votes, or 0.14%.
The remainder of Montgomery County is represented by 4th senate district. Republican David Robert Suetterlein received 53.57%, or 31,876 votes. P. A. “Trish” White-Boyd, the Democratic candidate, received 46.22%, or 27,503 votes.
There were 123 write-in votes, or 0.21% percent.
The City of Radford and parts of Montgomery County are part of the 42th district of the Virginia House of Delegates, represented by incumbent Jason Ballard, a Republican. Ballard ran unopposed in the election and received 92.48% percent, or 18,104 votes. There were 1,472 write-in votes, or 7.52% percent.
The remainder of Montgomery County is represented by the 41st district. In that race, Republican J. Christian “Chris” Obenshain received 51.93% percent, or 12,351 votes over Democratic candidate Lily V. Franklin, who received 11,408 votes, or 47.96%. There were 26 write-in votes, or 0.11%.
As of press time, the results were unofficial.