Spanberger, McAdams win party nominations in 7th, 4th districts

Abigail Spanberger, a Henrico native and Glen Allen resident, cruised to victory in the Democratic primary for Virginia’s Seventh Congressional District seat, defeating Dan Ward by earning nearly 73 percent of the vote. The district includes Henrico’s western half.

Spanberger, a former CIA official, next will face two-term incumbent Republican Congressman Dave Brat in the November general election.

“Tonight’s results prove that when we center our politics around our shared values and commitment to service and integrity, our friends and neighbors will rise to the occasion and make their voices heard,” Spanberger told a crowd of excited supporters at Henrico’s Westin hotel, where she accepted the nomination. “Tonight is because of all of you.”

Though the district spans parts of 10 counties (Henrico, Amelia, Chesterfield, Culpeper, Goochland, Louisa, Nottoway, Orange, Powhatan and Spotsylvania), about three-quarters of the votes cast in today’s primary came from Henrico (39 percent) and Chesterfield (34 percent). Spanberger won nearly 79 percent of the vote in Henrico and 76 percent in Chesterfield.

Ward, a former Marine pilot, won only two localities – Culpeper and his home county of Orange.

In the Fourth Congressional District, which includes Henrico’s eastern half, as well as portions of 15 other localities, Charles City County pastor Ryan McAdams defeated Chesterfield County office manager Shion Fenty, 72 percent to 28 percent.

McAdams won Henrico by nearly the same margin and won the Chesterfield vote by even more. He will face incumbent Democrat Donald McEachin of Henrico in November’s general election. McEachin is seeking his second term, after defeating Henrico Sheriff Mike Wade two years ago to win the newly redistricted seat.

The Spanberger-Ward race was the more heated of the two local races, with both candidates airing multiple television commercials and making publicized appearances locally and throughout the district.

Spanberger vowed that her campaign would get back to work tomorrow.

“With your help, we will flip the Seventh District,” she said. “I could not be more proud and excited for what’s next.”

Voters explain their choices

Most of the voters who spoke with the Citizen at precincts in Henrico's Three Chopt District today came out because they believe that voting is one of the most important things a citizen can do.

Henrico resident Eric Futterman was among a crowd of voters at the Tucker High School precinct at about 5 p.m. to cast his vote for Spanberger, a graduate of the school.

"I believe that you have to vote every single chance you get," Futterman said. "The more you vote, the more the power goes back to the people."

Venkat Iyer cast his vote for Spanberger at the Innsbrook precinct, believing she will bring light to issues such as immigration, equal pay and the economy.

"I'm definitely interested in having a house that is more representative of the community and of the issues that are prevalent today," Iyer said.

Barbara Salis tries her best to never miss voting in an election, and being new to Henrico didn't stop her from casting her ballot for Spanberger in the morning at Short Pump Middle School.

"I just follow who I think is best," Salis said. "Things are scary right now."

Tangela Hardy came out to cast her vote for Spanberger at the same spot because of her stance on issues such as education and healthcare.

"I'm a healthcare worker, so I have a stake in it for sure," Hardy said.

Voters who spoke with the Citizen at four different precincts in the county’s Tuckahoe District voted overwhelmingly for Spanberger, naming policy issues such as gun control, healthcare, immigration and women’s rights as the main reasons for their decisions. The majority of those voters considered themselves to be Democrats and said they were primarily concerned with selecting a candidate who would have the best chance at unseating Brat in November.

At the West End precinct, Debi Sharp cast her vote for Spanberger at about noon.

“I think she is going to put more balance into our lives,” Sharp said. “Healthcare, women’s rights, gun control. Everything.”

For Sharp, who works in the sales industry, voting for a female candidate was the most important factor in her decision.

At the Quioccasin precinct, a retiree who considers himself a Democrat voted because he doesn’t believe Brat adequately represents all of his constituents, he said.

The man, who declined to give his name, said he is a longtime Virginia resident and is particularly concerned with any issue that can help defeat Brat.

“Gun control, heathcare, moral fiber,” the man said, “Every single thing that he and his party no longer stand for.”

Henrico resident Ann Kaplan arrived at the Godwin precinct at about 10:30 a.m. to vote for Ward, who Kaplan believed would be the most competitive Democratic candidate to run against Brat in November, she said.

“I like Spanberger a lot, but part of my gut thought [Ward] might have a better chance in this district against Brat,” Kaplan said.

Kaplan, a registered nurse, cited gun control, immigration and women’s health as the most important issues she looked at when selecting a candidate.

- Citizen reporters Chelsea Jackson and Jocelyn Grzeszczak contributed to this article.