On Tuesday, surrounded by prominent fellow Republicans on the courthouse steps, Del. Tony Wilt announced his intent to seek a fifth term representing the 26th District in the Virginia House of Delegates. His announcement follows recent campaign launches by two Democrats hoping to face him in next year’s general election. In his remarks on Tuesday, Wilt emphasized a grassroots approach to the upcoming campaign.
It’s beginning to look a lot like 2017. Or is it? Once again Cathy Copeland and Brent Finnegan are vying for a chance to take on Republican incumbent Tony Wilt, who was first elected in 2010. But while the candidates might be the same, the campaigns might look a little different this time, especially if the election process for the Democrats changes.
A close look at returns suggests that JMU students – or at least those who live and vote on campus – aren’t the city’s most reliably Democratic voters.