RICHMOND, Va. -- State Senator Donald McEachin (D) and Henrico Sheriff Mike Wade (R) emerged victorious Tuesday in the Democratic and Republican primaries for Virginia’s 4th District Congressional seat.
McEachin defeated Ella P. Ward, of Chesapeake to capture the Democratic nomination.
With 99 percent of precincts reporting, McEachin had 75 percent of the vote compared to 25 percent for Ward.
State Senator Donald McEachin and Henrico Sheriff Mike Wade
McEachin has served in the Virginia House of Delegates from 1996 to 2002 and 2006 to 2008. He is currently a State Senator for the 9th district, which is made up of Charles City County, parts of Henrico County, Hanover County and the city of Richmond.
Democratic Party of Virginia Chairwoman Susan Swecker released the following statement on Donald McEachin's primary win in Tuesday:
"I'd like to congratulate Senator Donald McEachin on his win in Virginia's 4th Congressional District primary. Senator McEachin is a proven leader who fights for all Virginians, and we look forward to calling Senator McEachin 'Congressman' McEachin in the near future.
The new Congressional boundaries represent a historic step forward in ending the injustice that racial gerrymandering inflicts upon those whose voices it silences. With the new boundaries, Democrats are heavily favored to double Virginia's African American members - which will grant Virginia voters stronger representation in Congress."
Mike Wade defeated Jackee K. Gonzalez, of Chesterfield, to win the Republican nomination.
With 98 percent of precincts reporting, Wade had 65 percent of the vote compared to 35 percent for Gonzalez.
Wade has been Henrico’s sheriff for 16 years. Before being elected, he served on Henrico’s police force for 22 years.
McEachin and Wade will square off for the 4th District Congressional seat in November.
The 4th District consists of Charles City County, Chesapeake, Chesterfield County, Colonial Heights, Dinwiddie County, Emporia, Greensville County, Henrico County, Hopewell, Petersburg, Prince George County, Richmond, Southampton County, Suffolk, Surry County and Sussex County.
The recently redrawn 4th District is guaranteed to have a new representative because incumbent Congressman Randy Forbes (R) ran for Virginia's 2nd District seat.
In a stunning upset Tuesday, Forbes was defeated by Delegate Scott W. Taylor, (R) of Virginia Beach.
Virginia House of Delegates Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford) issued a statement after Taylor’s win:
"Congratulations to Scott Taylor on securing the Republican nomination for Congress in Virginia's Second District. Scott has served with passion and enthusiasm in the House of Delegates, and I know he will take the same vigor to Washington. We appreciate his service in Richmond.
Thank you to Congressman Randy Forbes for his many dedicated years of service in Congress. He has been a strong advocate for the Commonwealth, and we appreciate his work."
