GOP Chooses Helsel for 91st in Firehouse Primary

By WYDaily Staff Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Poquoson Mayor Gordon Helsel, Jr. will be the Republican candidate in the March 8 special election to fill the 91st District legislative seat in Virginia's General Assembly.

Helsel dominated the four-candidate field in Tuesday's firehouse primary, with his total of 1,724 votes almost double that of Seaford attorney Chad Green, who came in second with 890 votes. Fox Hill resident Teresa Vanasse Schmidt, whose candidacy received retired Del. Tom Gear's endorsement, came in third with 748 votes. Hampton councilman Chris Stuart was last with 695 votes.

It will be Helsel's second time seeking the 91st seat, but his first as a declared Republican. The self-described "principled conservative" ran as an independent against Gear in November 2009 and finished behind the incumbent with 33 percent of the vote.

Virginia House Speaker William J. Howell complimented Helsel on his short but intense race for the seat.

"I congratulate Mayor Helsel on his hard-fought victory today in a very competitive and high-turnout Republican primary. He is a good leader who will make a fine delegate, once he campaigns and wins the election against his Democratic opponent on March 8," Howell said in a written statement. "Based upon his strong showing tonight, I'm confident he has the character, values and experience that the people of the 91st expect and deserve. Like so many, I look forward to soon serving with him as the newest addition to our already 60-member-strong House Majority Caucus."

Helsel's next race is on March 8, during the special election to fill Gear's seat. Democrats in the 91st will choose their candidate Thursday during caucuses in Hampton and Yorktown. Democrats interested in running for their party's nomination must file their intention by 5 p.m. today. Click here for details.http://www.wydaily.com/local-news/5708-91st-district-democrats-announce-caucus.html