Wittman Wins Handily in GOP Primary

By WYDaily Staff Tuesday, June 08, 2010

Rob Wittman cruised to an easy victory Tuesday in a Republican primary race in the 1st Congressional District against Tea Party candidate Catherine Crabill.

Wittman, who took office after a special election in 2007, then ran for a full term and won in 2008, received nearly 88 percent of the vote, according to unofficial tally by the State Board of Elections.

Turnout was light - just 6.8 percent in the district, which stretches from Newport News, through the Historic Triangle and Gloucester, then up into Fredericksburg and Westmoreland, where Wittman calls home. Voters came out in slightly better numbers in the Historic Triangle, with 8.9 percent turnout in James City County; 8.5 percent in York County and 5.2 percent in Williamsburg.

Wittman, who travels the district constantly, took to the phones to urge voters to cast ballots today, leaving recorded messages on many answering machines.

In response to his win, Wittman offered this statement:

"As this campaign moves forward, I will run on the work I have done for the First District of Virginia. I will also run on my record, which clearly demonstrates the vast differences between my position on the issues and those of the majority party, who have manned the store during this period of out of control government spending, record deficits, and soaring unemployment."

He'll face Democrat Krystal Ball, a political newcomer in her first race, in November's general election.