Congratulations to Our Winners!
I always find primaries to be difficult. I was an undecided voter going to bed last night. When I got up this morning, I took my kids to the bus stop and went down to the polling place and, like many people, cast a very difficult vote.
However, the competition for these seats symbolizes The Democratic Party’s growth, energy, and popularity. The Democratic Party is the party of the future and people are fighting to be our leaders. While primaries force us to make difficult choices between our friends they improve our candidates, increase our visibility, and determine the direction of our Democratic Party.
Well, tonight Democrats have definitely spoken. In Fairfax County, 62,000 Democrats spoke representing 1 in 5 votes cast in the Commonwealth. Turnout was up by 58% in Fairfax County over the 2006 Miller-Webb primary at 9.2% versus 6.4% statewide.
Sen. Creigh Deeds and Jody Wagner decisively won victories in their races both statewide and in Fairfax County. Both won every Magisterial District in Fairfax County and have emerged from this process as improved candidates with a united Democratic Party steeled for battle against the most reactionary conservative ideological Republican statewide ticket in Virginia history.
Winner – Democratic Candidate for Governor
SEN. R. CREIGH DEEDS
- Sen. Creigh Deeds
Winner – Democratic Candidate for Lt. Governor
JODY WAGNER
- Jody Wagner
Brian Moran served as an incredible House Caucus Chair recruiting candidates and raising money to enable us to battle back from post-redistricting losses. Terry McAuliffe freed the DNC from debt, helped the DNC acquire a headquarters, and laid the seeds for our voter file and Howard Dean’s grassroots strategy that President Obama nurtured to victory. Mike Signer has aided many campaigns in Virginia and raised our awareness regarding progressive values during this campaign. All had first class campaign teams, organizers and volunteers and we look forward to their involvement. We owe them a debt of gratitude for their sacrifice, their service, and all they have done for the Democratic Party. We need their experience, ability, and passion to keep our party strong. We look forward to their continued involvement both statewide and in Fairfax County.
We also had two delegate primaries in Fairfax County.
Winner – 35th District
MARK KEAM
- Mark Keam
Mark Keam has earned the right to represent the Democratic Party in the 35th House of Delegates District with a decisive victory in the 35th. Mark raised the bar with the effort and organization he brought to the primary after having organized President Obama’s efforts in Fairfax County as a volunteer through last July. We look forward to his battle against his Republican opponent.
Winner – 35th District
KAYE KORY
- Kaye Kory
Mason District School Board Member Kaye Kory won a squeaker by 66 votes over Delegate Bob Hull in Annandale & Falls Church. We appreciate Delegate Hull’s service as a Delegate over the last sixteen years and look forward to Kaye carrying our banner into battle.
After the night’s results became apparent, many of us gathered at the Firehouse Grill in the City of Fairfax where Senator Petersen was hosting a Northern Virginia Party for Creigh Deeds. I saw five Magisterial District Chairs. Many Fairfax County supporters of Brian Moran joined the Party. I am confident that the Democratic Party has emerged from this process united.
Anyone who says our party is fatigued or not energized is not paying attention. Our turnout is up. Our gubernatorial candidates raised over $15,000,000 for this primary, people are fighting to carry our banner, and Democrats are engaged. Please join our effort as we all work towards winning three statewide races for the first time since 1989 and recapture the House of Delegates!
