Virginia Election Results: Wexton Upsets Comstock, Kaine Wins

Democrat Jennifer Wexton claimed victory in Virginia's 10th congressional district race on Nov. 6, defeating incumbent Rep. Barbara Comstock. Wexton's win was the first House seat Democrats flipped on Election Day, CNN projected. Democrats went on two flip two more House seats in Virginia with victories by Abigail Spanberger and Elaine Luria. Meanwhile Sen. Tim Kaine won re-election against GOP challenger Corey Stewart.

Among the 11 congressional races in Virginia, pundits were watching the competitive 10th district race between Republican Comstock and Wexton, a Virginia state senator. Democrats identified the district as a key race to win back the party's House majority and act as a check on GOP leaders, including President Trump. Wexton will become the first Democrat to represent the district since 1981.

"When we come together, we accomplish great things," said Wexton in a victory speech in Dulles."Because we worked together, we just sent a message that you want a better nation, that we demand a better where we treat each other with decency and respect."

Wexton led two-term incumbent Comstock by 8.3 percent in the RealClearPolitics polling average. Comstock, who beat her 2016 Democratic challenger by six points, raised more money than Wexton, according to The Washington Post. Wexton said she spoke with Comstock, who was "gracious" in her concession.

Kaine, the 2016 vice presidential candidate and former governor of Virginia, faced Stewart, chairman of the Prince William County Board of Supervisors and a President Trump supporter. Stewart, whose unsuccessful primary bid for Virginia governor last year focused on defending Confederate monuments, said he would run a "vicious" campaign against Kaine. He tried to gain ground in the race, both by criticizing Kaine and praising Trump. Kaine had a 18.5-point lead in polls, according to the RealClearPolitics average.

Elsewhere in Virginia, Republican political newcomer Denver Riggleman was projected to win against Democrat Leslie Cockburn in the tight fifth congressional district race, as was Republican Ben Cline in the sixth district. Democrat Elaine Luria ousted Republican incumbent Scott Taylor in the second district, while Abigail Spanberger defeated Republican incumbent Dave Brat in the seventh district. An aide said Brat would comment on the result Wednesday, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported.

Representatives winning re-election bids included Republican Rob Wittman in the first district, unopposed Democrat Bobby Scott in the third district, Democrat Donald McEachin in the fourth district, Democrat Don Beyer in the eighth district, Republican Morgan Griffith in the ninth district and Democrat Gerry Connolly in the 11th district.

Voters braved heavy morning rain and officials addressed a few voting problems, including an alleged case of voter intimidation where a GOP supporter reportedly walked past those in line with his large dog barking.

Christopher Piper, commissioner of the Virginia Department of Elections, said at a news conference Tuesday morning a few voting issues have come up. Officials were notified of potential intimidation tactics by a Virginia Beach polling place by a supporter of Republicans with his German shepherd barking at people.

A witness, who wished to remain anonymous, told Patch she saw the man wearing a Trump face and with Scott Taylor stickers on his dog and belongings. She had her two young children, who are scared of large dogs, with her at the polls. "I had a hard time getting my 4-year-old out of the car," she said.

She worried that the man's presence may have affected people's votes — or prompted them to leave without voting.

Andria McClellan, a Norfolk City Council member who posted about the man on social media, wrote in an update police were on scene and the man left with his dog.

Aside from the Virginia Beach incident, Piper said around 10 to 15 Chesapeake voters got the wrong ballot for their precinct, WAVY TV 10 reported. The wrong ballot had been for the fourth congressional district with Democrat Donald McEachin facing challengers, according to the Virginia Mercury. Rather, the correct ballot is for the third congressional district, where Democrat Bobby Scott is unopposed. Officials have since added more correct ballots, but Piper said the affected voters cannot fill out a new, correct ballot.

Other issues included a Chesterfield County polling place opening around 45 minutes late due to the polling book was not functioning properly, and a ballot scanner that wasn't worker. Piper said both problems have been fixed.

FULL NATIONAL ELECTION COVERAGE: 2018 Midterm Election Results: Long Lines Reported Across Country

The ACLU of Virginia warned of a City of Harrisonburg sample ballot distributed by the local Republican committee giving incorrect instructions. The sample ballot says to select one candidate for City Council and School Board, but voters can choose two City Council candidates and three School Board candidates.

The dreary weather did not stop turnout from looking promising in Northern Virginia. Fairfax County, Virginia's most populous county, had an estimated 31.58 percent turnout by 10 a.m. To compare, the county had an approximately 45 percent turnout in 2014. The City of Alexandria had a 45 percent turnout, or 42,455 voters, by noon. At this time during the 2017 election, the turnout was 36 percent at the same time in 2017, the previous non-presidential election year record.

There were mixed reports of line sizes in the 10th congressional district, where the competitive Comstock-Wexton race is happening. McLean Patch Facebook follower Leianne Stanley Al-Khafaji said her polling place was "busy" but had no line. "The ladies helping said that it was the busiest they've seen in at least 3 elections," she wrote.

If anything, social media reports seemed to indicate lines formed as polls opened. "Lots of determined & enthusiastic Wexton voters turning out in Ashburn. Rain no deterrent. Line was long at 5:45 AM & a steady stream throughout the morning," tweeted Fractaurean, a Wexton supporter.

Twitter user AGB, a Comstock supporter, reported "the lines for the East Leesburg poll is out the door and around the school and it’s not even 6AM yet!"

Even in Arlington, where the congressional race isn't competitive like in the 10th district, volunteer Joy told Patch voters have kept coming in all day. "I even brought books but they just kept coming, it’s been a steady stream," she said. At an Aurora Hills precinct, Democratic volunteers handing out sample ballots believed the votes recorded through mid-afternoon could be double those from this time in 2014 midterms.

SEE ALSO:

• Cockburn Vs Riggleman In Virginia's 5th Congressional District
• Comstock Vs Wexton: Virginia House District 10 Race Heats Up

Return to Patch tonight for the latest vote tally. Subscribe to free News Alerts for election results.

While Kaine has campaigned with other Democrats running for Congress, Republican congressional candidates have not campaigned with Stewart. Vice President Mike Pence campaigned recently with several Republican congressional candidates but not for Stewart.

You can find more information on these candidates, and third-party candidates seeking office, on the Ballotpedia website.

Voters will also rule on two constitutional amendments on Election Day. One is about whether cities or counties may provide a partial tax exemption for property that experiences recurring flooding; the other is a proposed property tax exemption for veterans and their surviving spouses and surviving spouses of soldiers killed in action.

U.S. Justice Department officials will be in Fairfax County checking compliance with voting rights' laws. It is one of 35 jurisdictions across 19 U.S. states and the only in Virginia being monitored by the Justice Department's civil rights division.

Patch will update this story with developments and election results throughout the day. See the voting results table at the bottom of the story.

How to vote

To learn where you go to vote, and see your sample ballot before you head to the polls, go to vote.elections.virginia.gov. An acceptable form of photo ID is required to vote.

Anyone in line when polls close at 7 p.m. will be allowed to vote.

What to bring

When voting in-person, Virginia law requires all voters to provide an acceptable form of photo identification (photo ID) at the polls. There are many different types of photo IDs that voters can use when they vote. All of the acceptable forms of photo ID can be used up to a year after ID has expired. These photo IDs include:

• Valid Virginia Driver's License or Identification Card
• Valid Virginia DMV issued Veteran's ID card
• Valid United States Passport
• Other government-issued photo identification cards (must be issued by US government, the Commonwealth of Virginia, or a political subdivision of the Commonwealth)
• Tribal enrollment or other tribal ID issued by one of 11 tribes recognized by the Commonwealth of Virginia
• Valid college or university student photo identification card (must be from an institution of higher education located in Virginia)
• Valid student ID issued by a public school or private school in Virginia displaying a photo
• Employee identification card containing a photograph of the voter and issued by an employer of the voter in the ordinary course of the employer's business
• For a more detailed list of acceptable IDs >>>

If you need a ride to the polls, here's how to get one.

If you encounter any difficulties while voting — unusually long lines at the polling place, insufficient ballots, harassment or intimidation by overzealous advocates as you enter — tell Patch about it and we'll investigate it with our nonprofit partners at ProPublica.

Virginia voters may look up their polling place or they may contact their General Registrar for more information.

This story includes/started as a tip from ProPublica’s Electionland project, which monitors voting problems around the country. If you had trouble voting, or if you saw something you want to tell us about, here's how.

Patch editor Dan Taylor contributed to this report.

RESULTS

Main image: Democrat Jennifer Wexton speaks at her election night party after defeating Rep. Barbara Comstock, R-Va., Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, in Dulles, Va. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Second image: Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., gestures during an election party in Falls Church, Va., Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. Kaine defeated Republican Corey Stewart. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

Polling place images: A polling place in Falls Church, via Patch Editor Emily Leayman; A polling place in Aurora Hills, Arlington, via Patch editor Dan Taylor; Bush Hill Elementary polling place in Fairfax County, via Patch editor Skip Wood