RICHMOND, Va. -- State Republican officials voted Saturday to hold a primary in 2017 for all of their state-wide offices.
This is the first time since 2005 that Republicans will have a primary instead of a convention.
"Our 2016 presidential primary was the highest turnout in the history of Virginia for either party," Virginia GOP Chairman John Whitbeck said.
Whitbeck said that the party believes that a primary will allow its candidates to expand the party's outreach.
Democratic officials are not buying it.
"Virginia Republicans' decision to hold a primary provides the same nominating mechanism that delivered Donald Trump a victory on Super Tuesday against a crowded field of candidates.," said Susan Swecker in an emailed release.
The party switched from a primary to a convention for their 2013 election of candidates. Many believed that move may have cost Republicans the governorship as then Lt. Governor Bill Bolling was expected to win the primary but could not defend a push in the convention against then Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, who many saw as more conservative than Bolling.
Democrats won all three offices that year.
