(The Center Square) – Virginia voters picked congressional nominees Tuesday, setting several key U.S. House matchups for November.
Virginia currently sends six Democrats and five Republicans to the U.S. House. Tuesday’s primaries decided nominees in several competitive districts.
Former U.S. Rep. Elaine Luria won the Democratic primary in the Hampton Roads-based 2nd Congressional District, Shannon Taylor won the Democratic primary in the 1st District, former U.S. Rep. Tom Perriello won the Democratic primary in the 5th District, retired Army Lt. Col. Doug Ollivant won the Republican primary in the 7th District, Rep. Don Beyer won renomination in the 8th District, Joy Powers won the Democratic primary in the 9th District and retired Air Force Col. Dave Beckwith won the Republican primary in the 10th District.
The Associated Press called each race Tuesday night.
Luria defeated Dr. Nila Devanath, Patrick Mosolf and Bill Fleming with more than 80% of the vote, according to unofficial Virginia Department of Elections results. She will face Republican Rep. Jen Kiggans in November in one of the country’s most closely watched House races.
In the 1st District, Henrico Commonwealth’s Attorney Shannon Taylor defeated Salaam Bhatti, Jason Knapp, Melvin Tull III, Elizabeth Dempsey Beggs, Ericka Kopp and Tim Cywinski with more than 52% of the vote.
She advances to face Republican Rep. Rob Wittman.
Perriello, who represented Virginia’s 5th District from 2009 to 2011, defeated Suzanne Krzyzanowski and Rob Tracinski. He will face Republican Rep. John McGuire in November.
Republicans in the 7th District chose Ollivant over Philip Harding and Ricky Smithers. He advances to face Democratic Rep. Eugene Vindman.
In Northern Virginia’s 8th District, Beyer defeated Mo Seifeldein, Michael Duffin, Adam Dunigan and Lorena Bruner. He advances to face Republican Tony Sabio.
In Southwest Virginia’s 9th District, Joy Powers defeated Adam Grayson Murphy and Douglas Crockett. She will challenge Republican Rep. Morgan Griffith in November.
Republicans in the 10th District chose Beckwith over Julie Perry and Anthony Suttles. He advances to face Democratic Rep. Suhas Subramanyam, who was unopposed for renomination.
Virginia uses an open primary system, allowing voters to choose either a Democratic or Republican ballot. Tuesday’s winners advance to the Nov. 3 general election.
