(The Center Square) – While there were some close races in Tuesday’s Virginia primary, a few candidates sailed to victory, including the Republican U.S. Senate hopeful Hung Cao.
The retired Navy captain, an early favorite, overwhelmingly defeated a crowded GOP field winning with more than 60% of the vote, according to the Virginia Department of Elections. He squares off against Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine in November.
Cao wasted no time taking a swing at the Biden administration’s border policy and fellow Democrats, including his opponent.
In a social media post, he wrote, “Thank you Virginia! For our win to coincide with the date of Joe Biden’s amnesty for illegal immigrants highlights the stakes of this November’s election. For women like Laken Riley and Rachel Morin, the Biden-Kaine open border policy was literally a matter of life and death. No matter what Tim Kaine and his super PACs say, Kaine will not secure our border or deport the illegal immigrants that should have never been in this country.”
Kaine was quick to hit out at Cao, labeling him a “MAGA extremist.”
“Virginia Republicans have officially nominated Hung Cao to run against me. He’s a MAGA extremist who looks out for himself first – not Virginians. He won’t show up for them,” Kaine posted to social media Tuesday evening.
In a bid to replace Democratic Rep. Jennifer Wexton for Virginia’s 10th Congressional District, who is stepping down due to health reasons, Mike Clancy won the Republican primary with over 64% of the vote. Clancy will face Democratic candidate and state Sen. Suhas Subramanyam, who beat Del. Dan Helmer in a close race 30%-26%.
Clancy quickly received a congratulatory post from Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin.
“Congratulations Mike Clancy! Mike will be a phenomenal leader for #VA10 and I am proud to endorse him,” Youngkin posted on social media Tuesday evening.
Subramanyam held back from taking any political hits at his opponent, rather using his victory to thank supporters and Wexton while commending her service.
“I am so thankful for our volunteers, activists, supporters, staff, and family for coming together to pull off this incredible victory,” the Democratic nominee said in a statement.
“I deeply thank my congresswoman, friend, and mentor, Jennifer Wexton, for her fearless leadership and support. Our community is so much better off because of her efforts. This district will remain blue and I will do everything in my power to make my constituents proud.”
