Fredericksburg Election 2018: Results, Wittman's Winning Stand

FREDERICKSBURG, VA—There was never any real question whether Democratic incumbent Tim Kaine would be able to swat away the challenge from Corey Stewart and keep his U.S. Senate seat. Kaine had big leads polling throughout the race and wound up dispatching the Donald Trump acolyte by approximately 16 percentage points.

But in the 1st District, at least there was a modicum of suspense in Rep. Rob Wittman's push for a sixth full term against Democratic challenger Vangie Williams. If a so-called blue wave materialized, maybe Williams and her campaign, the thinking went, could capitalize. But as pointed out by the Free Lance-Star, her popularity only stretched so far in a race she ultimately lost 56-44.

She received about 48 percent of the vote in traditionally Republican Stafford County. She beat Wittman by 15 votes in the 1st District portion of Spotsylvania, which includes suburbs near the Fredericksburg line. But Wittman won in rural counties such as King George, Westmoreland, Northumberland and Middlesex. That was more than enough.

"Obviously, campaigns are kind of a back and forth, but after the campaign is over with, my job is to listen to everybody and work on their behalf across the 1st District," he said afterward. Williams said that, "We did a job that no one saw coming (and) this is not the end of my journey in politics—only the beginning."

Then, of course, there was the 7th District, where the man who showed Eric Cantor the door, Rep. Dave Brat, was shown the door himself by Democratic challenger Abigail Spanberger. She wound up winning an ever-so-close race 50-49 in becoming the first Democratic to hold the seat in some 50 years.

"They said this district was unwinnable," Spanberger said afterward, "but this campaign was always about giving people something to vote for." Brat didn't concede the race, though, and said he wouldn't be making and statements until Wednesday.

Meanwhile, voters chose "yes" on the two constitutional amendments:

Question 1

Should a county, city, or town be authorized to provide a partial tax exemption for real property that is subject to recurrent flooding, if flooding resiliency improvements have been made on the property? Yes, 71-29.

Question 2

Shall the real property tax exemption for a primary residence that is currently provided to the surviving spouses of veterans who had a one hundred percent service-connected, permanent, and total disability be amended to allow the surviving spouse to move to a different primary residence and still claim the exemption? Yes, 84-16.

NOTE: All vote totals are unofficial. Results still must be canvassed and certified.

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