Former VEA Vice President Dom Melito used to say, "In Virginia we only have elections in years that end in a number." Dom was right, and in the months ahead we have two elections -- primaries on June 9 and the General Election on November 4.
The entire House and Senate are up for election, all 140 seats. Control of the Senate is in play -- the Republicans now have a 21-19 advantage. In the House the Republicans enjoy a super majority, but the Democrats hope to change that. They'll only need to gain two seats to do so, and that would empower them to demand recorded votes on legislation.
In many of Virginia's gerrymandered districts winning the primary is tantamount to winning the election, so participation in the primaries is important. Please check the list below to see if you live in a district with a primary. Many localities are divided, so checkhttp://whosmy.virginiageneralassembly.gov/ to find your state house and senate district numbers.
Let's take a look at June 9th to see if you have a primary.
Senate
District 8 -- Virginia Beach
Bill Desteph vs. Craig Hudgins - Republican Primary
District 10 -- Chesterfield, Richmond and Powhatan
Emily Francis, Daniel Gecker and Alexander McMurtrie -- Democratic Primary
District 11 -- Chesterfield, Colonial Heights and Amelia
Amanda Chase, Steve Martin and Barry Moore -- Republican Primary
District 12 -- Henrico and Hanover
SiobhanDunnavant, Vincent Haley, Bill Janis and Edward Whitlock -- Republican Primary
District 14 -- Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Suffolk, Portsmouth, Isle of Wight, Southampton and Franklin City
John Cosgrove vs. William Haley -- Republican Primary
District 24 -- Augusta, Rockingham, Staunton, Waynesboro, Greene and Madison
Emmett Hanger*, Dan Moxley and Pattie Marshall -- Republican Primary
*Please note that Emmett Hanger is recommended by the VEA Fund for Children and Public Education
District 29 -- Prince William, Manassas City andManassas Park
Michael Futrell, Jeremy McPike and Atif Quarni -- Democratic Primary
House
District 2 -- Prince William and Stafford
Timothy Ciampaglia vs. Mark Dudenhefer -- Republican Primary
District 17 -- Roanoke City, Roanoke County and Botetourt
Harry Griego vs. Christopher Head -- Republican Primary
District 28 -- Stafford and Fredericksburg
Bill Howell vs. Susan Stimpson -- Republican Primary
District 29 -- Frederick, Winchester and Warren
Mark Berg vs. Christopher Collins -- Republican Primary
District 44 -- Fairfax
Justin Brown vs. Paul Krizek - Democratic Primary
District 45 -- Alexandria, Arlington and Fairfax
Larry Altenburg, Craig Fifer, Julie Jacopic, Mark Levine and Clarence Tong -- Democratic Primary
District 63 -- Petersburg, Chesterfield, Dinwiddie, Prince George and Hopewell
Lashrecse Aird, Larry Brown, Mouse Jones, Atiba Muse and Derry Rawlison -- Democratic Primary
District 69 -- Richmond City and Chesterfield
Betsy Carr and Preston Brown -- Democratic Primary
District 74 -- Henrico, Charles City and Richmond City
Stephen Adkins,Lamont Bagby and Leonidas Young -- Democratic Primary
District 79 -- Portsmouth and Norfolk
Stephen Heretickand Johnny Joannou -- Democratic Primary
The voter turnout for the primary contests is historically very low. Let's make sure that VEA members show up in big numbers to prove that we are a force to be reckoned with.
Thank you,
Robley Jones
VEA GR&R