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Virginia State Senate elections, 2011
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Virginia's 2011 elections State Senate • State House • Candidate ballot access |
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Elections for the office of Virginia State Senator were held on November 8, 2011. Each of the state's 40 senators were up for election. Members are elected to four-year terms.
The 2011 election was the state's first election under its new legislative maps. Following the 2010 census, the state redrew its legislative boundaries to account for growth and shifts in the state's population. The Virginia General Assembly was responsible for the redistricting process. Virginia's 40 senate seats are comprised of 40 single-member legislative districts.
Virginia was one of four states that held state senate elections in 2011. The other three states that hold their state senate elections in odd-numbered years are New Jersey, Mississippi, and Louisiana.
Virginia's primary was rescheduled from June 14 to August 23 to allow time for legislative redistricting.[1] Candidates wishing to run for the Virginia State Senate were required to file their petitions or candidate filing fees by June 15.
As a result of the 2011 elections, Democrats lost two seats, meaning they no longer held a majority in the chamber, and members were split evenly between the two major parties.
General election results
The following candidates won election on November 8, 2011:
- Richard Black (Virginia)
- Thomas Garrett
- Barbara Favola
- Thomas Norment Jr.
- Adam Ebbin
- John Miller (Virginia)
- Mamie Locke
- Ryan McDougle
- Yvonne Miller
- Ralph Northam
- Frank Wagner
- Harry Blevins
- Jeffrey McWaters
- Louise Lucas
- Dick Saslaw
- Donald McEachin
- Dave Marsden
- John Watkins (Virginia)
- Steve Martin (Virginia)
- Walter Stosch
- Frank Ruff
- Henry Marsh (Virginia)
- Stephen Newman
- Emmett Hanger
- Jill Vogel
- Richard Stuart, Virginia Senator
- Charles Colgan
- Janet Howell
- Mark Herring
- John Chapman "Chap" Petersen
- Linda Todd "Toddy" Puller
- Ralph Smith (Virginia)
- Bill Stanley
- Bryce Reeves
- Mark Obenshain
- Bill Carrico
- Creigh Deeds
- Phillip Puckett
- John Edwards (Virginia)
- George Barker
Impact of redistricting
- See also: Redistricting in Virginia
Every 10 years, the Constitution requires states to redraw Congressional and state legislative districts based on updated Census information. In 2011, Virginia was the fourth state to complete its state legislative redistricting. Its 40 senate districts were re-drawn by the Virginia General Assembly and approved by Governor Bob McDonnell.
Partisan impact
With each chamber controlled by members of the opposite party, the Senate and House agreed to create their own maps and concur with the maps drawn by the other.[2] At that time, Democrats controlled the state Senate with a 22-18 majority.
Virginia Republican Party chairman Pat Mullins said, "We are very well positioned to take back the Senate...Both of the new open seats trend heavily toward our party, and despite the Democrats' best efforts, there are a number of seats where liberal incumbents are in serious trouble."[3] Senator Donald McEachin (D) said, "I think we were generous with people we should not have been generous with."[4] Democrats revised their maps after their initial plans were vetoed by Gov. Bob McDonnell (R).
Figure 1: This map shows the Virginia State Senate districts after 2001 redistricting.
Figure 2: This map shows the Virginia State Senate districts after 2011 redistricting.
Majority control
- See also: Partisan composition of state senates
Heading into the November 2011 elections, the Republican Party was the majority party in 29 state senates. One chamber (Nebraska) is officially nonpartisan. In 19 states, the Democratic Party held the majority party. The Virginia State Senate was one of the 19 chambers with a Democratic Party majority.
In the other three states with state senate elections in 2011, the Democratic Party held the majority party in New Jersey, while the Republican Party held the majority party in the state senates of Louisiana and Mississippi.
The partisan composition of the Virginia State Senate before and after the election:
| Virginia State Senate | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 2011 | After the 2011 Election | |
| Democratic Party | 22 | 20 | |
| Republican Party | 18 | 20 | |
| Total | 40 | 40 | |
Races to watch
The following were noted as races to watch in the 2011 elections, based on expectations of impact on partisan control.
- District 20: District 19 incumbent Bill Stanley (R) was drawn into District 20. Stanley faced Democratic incumbent Roscoe Reynolds. More than $1 million was raised for this race as of October 2011. Reynolds was first elected in 1997.[5]
- District 36: Former GOP chairman Jeff Frederick ran against incumbent Linda Todd "Toddy" Puller (D).[6]
- District 38 GOP challenger Adam Light ran against incumbent Phillip Puckett (D).
Competitiveness
Candidates unopposed by a major party
Fourteen incumbents (35%) faced no competition in the November 8 general election.
- 3 Democratic incumbents faced no November challenger.
- 11 Republican incumbents faced no November challenger.
Primary challenges
One incumbent faced competition in the August 23 primary. That incumbent, Thomas Norment (R), defeated his challenger, Mark Frechette.
- District 3: Incumbent Republican Thomas Norment
Retiring incumbents
Seven incumbent senators did not run for re-election, while 33 (82.5%) ran for re-election. Of the seven incumbents who did not run for re-election, three were Democrats and four were Republicans.
Incumbents who retired were:
- District 13: Incumbent Republican Frederick Quayle
- District 19: Incumbent Republican Bill Stanley
- District 21: Incumbent Democrat John Edwards
- District 22: Incumbent Republican Ralph Smith
- District 30: Incumbent Democrat Patricia Ticer
- District 31: Incumbent Democrat Mary Whipple
- District 40: Incumbent Republican William Wampler
Incumbents displaced by redistricting
Two incumbent senators were displaced by the 2011 redistricting process. Of the two displaced incumbents, both were Republicans.
Incumbents who were displaced by redistricting:
- District 19: Incumbent Republican Bill Stanley
- District 22: Incumbent Republican Ralph Smith
Primary competitiveness
The following table shows the number of contested primaries in 2007 and 2011.
| Comparing Contested Primaries in Past VA Senate Elections | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democrats | Republicans | Total | ||||
| 2007 | 2011 | 2007 | 2011 | 2007 | 2011 | |
| Open contested | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 4 | 8 |
| Incumbent contested | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 1 |
| Total contested | 3 | 2 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 9 |
Uncontested primaries
There are a total of 40 districts in the Virginia State Senate, meaning that normally there would be 80 partisan primaries. However, some districts use a caucus or convention rather than a primary to decide which candidate to send to the general election. Seventeen out of the 80 potential primaries decided on a candidate this way, leaving 63 that used primaries. Of these 63 primaries, nine were contested (14.3%).
District without primaries
The following district/party combinations did not use a primary.
Democrats: Districts 7, 12, 13, 15, 21, 24, 25, 26, 27, 38, and 39
Republicans: Districts 6, 17, 25, 29, 38, and 40
Qualifications
In order to run for the State Senate, a candidate must:
- Be 21 years of age or older.
- A qualified elector in the Commonwealth in Virginia.
- Be a resident of the district they plan to run for[7].
- If a Republican or Democratic candidate, pay a filing fee equivalent to 2 percent of the current salary elected State Senators make[8].
- If running as an independent, collecting signatures via petition[9].
Campaign contributions
This chart shows how many candidates ran for state senate in Virginia in past years and the cumulative amount of campaign contributions in state senate races, including contributions in both primary and general election contests. All figures come from Follow The Money.[10]
| Year | Number of candidates | Total contributions |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 77 | $31,534,141 |
| 2003 | 69 | $11,399,328 |
| 1999 | 69 | $10,532,275 |
The top 10 donors were:[11]
| Donor | Amount |
|---|---|
| Democratic Party of Virginia | $2,472,021 |
| Virginia Senate Democratic Caucus | $1,351,536 |
| Virginia Senate Republican Leadership Trust | $1,333,782 |
| Moving Virginia Forward | $914,467 |
| Tom Davis for Congress | $784,635 |
| Virginia Republican Party | $760,699 |
| Citizens for the Commonwealth | $475,000 |
| Rensin, David | $394,500 |
| Republican State Leadership Cmte | $327,221 |
| Holtzman, William B | $308,747 |
Nominating Conventions in Virginia
The candidate selection process in Virginia differs between the political parties. According to the Code of Virginia:[12]
“The duly constituted authorities of the state political party shall have the right to determine the method by which a party nomination for a member of the United States Senate or for any statewide office shall be made. The duly constituted authorities of the political party for the district, county, city, or town in which any other office is to be filled shall have the right to determine the method by which a party nomination for that office shall be made.”
Democratic Party
The Democratic Party in Virginia used conventions to select nominees for statewide offices between 1981 and 2001 before shifting to primaries. The Virginia Democratic Party switched to the convention format for the 1981 election cycle. The party changed back to primaries in 2001. The Democratic Party did not hold a gubernatorial primary in the 2001 and 2005 election cycles as Mark Warner and Tim Kaine ran unopposed.[13]
Republican Party
The Republican Party in Virginia has used conventions to select nominees for statewide offices for much of its history. Republicans used primaries to nominate candidates in 1949, 1989, 1997, and 2005.[13] The convention process used in most elections draws from delegates selected by Republicans during municipal and county conventions. The number of delegates per county depends on the strength of the Republican Party in past elections.[14]
Convention process
Delegates cast their votes on separate ballots for each statewide office. Any candidates who are uncontested automatically receive the party’s nomination. Contested races start with a ballot to determine if a candidate can surpass the 50% threshold. A candidate who wins more than 50% of first-round ballots receives the nomination for that office. If the first round of ballots does not clear this threshold, the two candidates with the fewest votes are eliminated. The balloting process eliminates candidates in each round until three candidates remain. A ballot is taken to eliminate a third-place finisher and a final ballot is taken between the two remaining candidates.[15]
List of candidates
District 1
- August 23 Democratic primary result:
- John Miller - Incumbent Miller was first elected in 2008.
- August 23 GOP primary result:
November 8 General election candidates:
- John Miller: 17,196
- Michael Chohany: 15,994
District 2
- August 23 Democratic primary result:
- Mamie Locke - Incumbent Locke was first elected in 2004.
- August 23 GOP primary result:
November 8 General election candidates:
- Mamie Locke: 17,526
- Thomas Harmon, IV: 9,208
District 3
- August 23 Democratic primary result:
- August 23 GOP primary result:
- Thomas Norment: 11,400
- Incumbent Norment was first elected in 1992. - Mark Frechette: 4,089
November 8 General election candidates:
- Thomas Norment: 38,665
District 4
- August 23 Democratic primary result:
- August 23 GOP primary result:
- Ryan McDougle - Incumbent McDougle was first elected in 2006.
November 8 General election candidates:
- Ryan McDougle: 37,879
District 5
- August 23 Democratic primary result:
- Yvonne Miller - Incumbent Miller was first elected in 1988.
- August 23 GOP primary result:
November 8 General election candidates:
- Yvonne Miller: 11,090
District 6
- August 23 Democratic primary result:
- Ralph Northam - Incumbent Northam was first elected in 2008.
- August 23 GOP primary result:
November 8 General election candidates:
- Ralph Northam:16,606
- Ben Loyola: 12,622
District 7
- August 23 Democratic primary result:
- August 23 GOP primary result:
- Frank Wagner - Incumbent Wagner was first elected in 2001.
November 8 General election candidates:
- Frank Wagner: 17,303
District 8
- August 23 Democratic primary result:
- August 23 GOP primary result:
- Jeffrey McWaters - Incumbent McWaters was first elected in 2010.
November 8 General election candidates:
- Jeffrey McWaters: 14,371
District 9
- August 23 Democratic primary result:
- Donald McEachin - Incumbent McEachin was first elected in 2008.
- August 23 GOP primary result:
November 8 General election candidates:
- Donald McEachin: 28,802
District 10
- August 23 Democratic primary result:
- August 23 GOP primary result:
- John Watkins - Incumbent Watkins was first elected in 1998.
November 8 General election candidates:
- David Bernard: 14,189
- John Watkins: 18,496
District 11
- August 23 Democratic primary result:
- August 23 GOP primary result:
- Stephen Martin - Incumbent Martin was first elected in 1994.
November 8 General election candidates:
- Stephen Martin: 25,269
District 12
- August 23 Democratic primary result:
- August 23 GOP primary result:
- Walter Stosch - Incumbent Stosch was first elected in 1992.
November 8 General election candidates:
- Walter Stosch: 28,438
District 13
Incumbent Republican Frederick Quayle was first elected in 1992.
- August 23 Democratic primary result:
- August 23 GOP primary result:
- Richard Black: 3,144
- Robert Fitzsimmonds: 1,925
- John Stirrup: 3,036
November 8 General election candidates:
- J. Shawn Mitchell: 15,613
- Richard Black: 20,786
District 14
- August 23 Democratic primary result:
- August 23 GOP primary result:
- Harry Blevins - Incumbent Blevins was first elected in 2001.
November 8 General election candidates:
- Harry Blevins: 16,063
District 15
- August 23 Democratic primary result:
- August 23 GOP primary result:
- Frank Ruff - Incumbent Ruff was first elected in 2000.
November 8 General election candidates:
- Frank Ruff: 36,193
District 16
- August 23 Democratic primary result:
- Henry Marsh - Incumbent Marsh was first elected in 1992.
- August 23 GOP primary result:
November 8 General election candidates:
- Henry Marsh: 16,711
Preston Brown: 7,391
District 17
- August 23 Democratic primary result:
- R. Edward "Edd" Houck - Incumbent Houck was first elected in 1984.
- August 23 GOP primary result:
November 8 General election candidates:
- R. Edward "Edd" Houck: 22,389
- Bryce Reeves: 22,615
District 18
- August 23 Democratic primary result:
- Louise Lucas - Incumbent Lucas was first elected in 1992.
- August 23 GOP primary result:
November 8 General election candidates:
- Louise Lucas: 23,676
District 19
Incumbent Republican Bill Stanley was first elected in 2011.
- August 23 Democratic primary result:
- August 23 GOP primary result:
- Ralph Smith - Smith represents District 22 in the Virginia State Senate.
November 8 General election candidates:
- Ralph Smith: 28,065
- J. Brandon Bell, II: 21,551
District 20
- August 23 Democratic primary result:
- Roscoe Reynolds - Incumbent Reynolds was first elected in 1997.
- August 23 GOP primary result:
- Bill Stanley - Stanley serves as the District 19 incumbent.
November 8 General election candidates:
- Roscoe Reynolds: 23,331
- Bill Stanley: 23,975
- W. Jeff Evans: 3,887
District 21
Incumbent Democrat John Edwards was first elected in 1996.
- August 23 Democratic primary result:
- August 23 GOP primary result:
- David Nutter: 1,854
- Tripp Godsey: 944
November 8 General election candidates:
- John Edwards: 21,259
- David Nutter: 16,728
District 22
Incumbent Republican Ralph Smith was first elected in 2008.
- August 23 Democratic primary result:
- August 23 GOP primary result:
- Brian Bates: 3,069
- Mark Peake: 2,810
- Bryan Rhode: 2,560
- Thomas Garrett: 3,240
- Claudia Tucker: 797
November 8 General election candidates:
- Bert Dodson: 20,389
- Thomas Garrett: 28,357
District 23
- August 23 Democratic primary result:
- August 23 GOP primary result:
- Stephen Newman - Incumbent Newman was first elected in 1996.
November 8 General election candidates:
- Robert Short, Sr.: 9,439
- Stephen Newman: 33,481
District 24
- August 23 Democratic primary result:
- August 23 GOP primary result:
- Emmett Hanger - Incumbent Hanger was first elected in 1996.
November 8 General election candidates:
- Emmett Hanger: 29,617
District 25
- August 23 Democratic primary result:
- Creigh Deeds - Incumbent Deeds was first elected in 2001.
- August 23 GOP primary result:
November 8 General election candidates:
- Creigh Deeds: 32,409
- Thomas Aldous, Jr.: 17,862
District 26
- August 23 Democratic primary result:
- August 23 GOP primary result:
- Mark Obenshain - Incumbent Obenshain was first elected in 2004.
November 8 General election candidates:
- Mark Obenshain: 27,999
District 27
- August 23 Democratic primary result:
- August 23 GOP primary result:
- Jill Vogel - Incumbent Vogel was first elected in 2008.
November 8 General election candidates:
- Shaun Broy: 7,636
- Jill Vogel: 24,555
- Donald Marro: 681 Note: Marro withdrew from the election on 10/31/11.
District 28
- August 23 Democratic primary result:
- August 23 GOP primary result:
- Richard Stuart - Incumbent Stuart was first elected in 2008.
November 8 General election candidates:
- Richard Stuart: 26,662
District 29
- August 23 Democratic primary result:
- Charles Colgan - Incumbent Colgan was first elected in 1976.
- August 23 GOP primary result:
November 8 General election candidates:
- Charles Colgan: 13,365
- Tom Gordy: 10,875
District 30
Incumbent Democrat Patricia Ticer was first elected in 1996.
- August 23 Democratic primary result:
- Adam Ebbin: 4,570
- Rob Krupicka: 4,235
- Libby Garvey: 2,980
- August 23 GOP primary result:
November 8 General election candidates:
- Adam Ebbin: 20,968
- Timothy McGhee: 11,349
District 31
Incumbent Democrat Mary Whipple was first elected in 1996.
- August 23 Democratic primary result:
- Jaime Areizaga-Soto: 3,575
- Barbara Favola: 6,549
- August 23 GOP primary result:
November 8 General election candidates:
- Barbara Favola: 24,349
- Caren Merrick: 17,484
District 32
- August 23 Democratic primary result:
- Janet Howell - Incumbent Howell was first elected in 1991.
- August 23 GOP primary result:
November 8 General election candidates:
- Janet Howell: 26,026
- Patrick Forrest: 17,122
District 33
- August 23 Democratic primary result:
- Mark Herring - Incumbent Herring was first elected in 2006.
- August 23 GOP primary result:
November 8 General election candidates:
- Mark Herring: 14,061
- Patricia Phillips: 11,915
District 34
- August 23 Democratic primary result:
- John Chapman "Chap" Petersen - Incumbent Petersen was first elected in 2008.
- August 23 GOP primary result:
November 8 General election candidates:
- John Chapman "Chap" Petersen: 23,662
- Gerarda Culipher: 15,933
District 35
- August 23 Democratic primary result:
- Dick Saslaw - Incumbent Saslaw was first elected in 1980.
- August 23 GOP primary result:
November 8 General election candidates:
- Dick Saslaw: 15,905
- Robert Sarvis: 9,272
- Katherine Ann Pettigrew: 591
District 36
- August 23 Democratic primary result:
- Linda Todd "Toddy" Puller - Incumbent Puller was first elected in 1999.
- August 23 GOP primary result:
- Jeffrey Frederick: 3,670
- Tito Munoz: 1,676
November 8 General election candidates:
- Linda Todd "Toddy" Puller: 16,649
- Jeffrey Frederick: 13,445
District 37
- August 23 Democratic primary result:
- Dave Marsden Incumbent Democrat Marsden was first elected in 2010.
- August 23 GOP primary result:
- Stephen Hunt: 2,568
- Jason Flanary: 3,131
November 8 General election candidates:
- Dave Marsden: 19,841
- Jason Flanary: 17,036
District 38
- August 23 Democratic primary result:
- Phillip Puckett - Incumbent Puckett was first elected in 1998.
- August 23 GOP primary result:
November 8 General election candidates:
- Phillip Puckett: 26,339
- Adam Light: 23,328
District 39
- August 23 Democratic primary result:
- George Barker - Incumbent Barker was first elected in 2008.
- August 23 GOP primary result:
- Miller Baker: 4,201
- Scott Martin: 1,528
November 8 General election candidates:
- George Barker: 21,201
- Miller Baker: 18,687
District 40
Incumbent Republican William Wampler was first elected in 1988.
- August 23 Democratic primary result:
- August 23 GOP primary result:
November 8 General election candidates:
- John Lamie: 15,480
- Bill Carrico: 31,333
See also
- Virginia State Senate
- Virginia State Legislature
- Virginia House of Delegates elections, 2011
- State legislative elections, 2011
External links
- Official Democratic Primary Results
- Official Republican Primary Results
- Official General Election Results
Footnotes
- ↑ Ballot Access News, "Virginia House Passes Bill Moving 2011 Primary from June to August," January 20, 2011
- ↑ Daily Press, "Redistricting begins in earnest," March 9, 2011
- ↑ Westport News, "After Dems' remap, Va. GOP won't go away quietly," May 29, 2011
- ↑ Daily Press, "Expect some spice in elections stew," May 26, 2011
- ↑ Go Dan River, "TV time soaking up funds in Senate race," October 30, 2011
- ↑ WashingtonPost.com, "Virginia Senate hopeful Jeff Frederick, once cast out by GOP, now has its support," October 11, 2011
- ↑ Virginia General Assembly, "Constitution of Virginia" (dead link)(Referenced Section, Article IV, Section 4)
- ↑ [Confirmed via phone with VA State Board of Elections on November 17, 2010]
- ↑ [Confirmed via phone with VA State Board of Elections on November 17, 2010]
- ↑ Follow the Money, Alaska
- ↑ Follow the Money: "Virginia Senate 2007 Campaign Contributions"
- ↑ Code of Virginia, “Party to determine method of nominating its candidates for office; exceptions,” accessed June 7, 2013
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Sabato’s Crystal Ball, “What Just Happened in Virginia?” May 20, 2013
- ↑ Richmond Times-Dispatch, "Virginia GOP convention: Jackson wins LG nomination as Snyder withdraws," May 18, 2013
- ↑ Washington Times, "Chesapeake bishop surprises, wins Va. GOP lieutenant governor nomination," May 19, 2013
