State Sen. Jennifer Wexton on Tuesday won the Democratic nomination in Virginia’s 10th congressional district House race, beating out five other candidates for the right to take on Republican Rep. Barbara Comstock in the fall.
With 100 percent of precincts reporting, Ms. Wexton had secured 42 percent support, with her closest challenger, anti-human trafficking advocate Alison Friedman, at 23 percent.
Ms. Wexton had touted her support in the state legislature for new gun controls and expanding Medicaid under Obamacare, and had won support from a number of politicians in the state, including Gov. Ralph Northam.
“I’m Jennifer Wexton, and I’m going to repeal and replace Barbara Comstock!” she said in a victory speech Tuesday.
Ms. Wexton beat out Ms. Friedman, former Obama administration official Lindsey Davis Stover, U.S. Army veteran Dan Helmer, former federal prosecutor Paul Pelletier, and scientist Julia Biggins for the right to take on Ms. Comstock.
“If tonight showed us anything, it’s that people are ready for change,” Ms. Wexton said. “I have one message for Barbara Comstock: change is coming.”
SEE ALSO: Barbara Comstock wins Republican primary in Virginia’s 10th district
Ms. Comstock, a former state delegate who is seeking a third term in Congress, defeated retired Air Force pilot Shak Hill in a GOP primary contest Tuesday.
She’s one of about two dozen Republican House members who won in districts carried by Hillary Clinton in 2016, making her a top target for national Democrats in what’s shaping up to be one of the most expensive, closely-watched House races in the country.
Republicans said Democrats have tried to target Ms. Comstock before, to no avail.
“The nasty and divisive Democratic primary forced Nancy Pelosi recruit Jennifer Wexton to lurch to the far-left, rendering her unelectable,” said Maddie Anderson, a spokeswoman for the House GOP’s campaign arm. “Barbara Comstock has defeated a Jennifer Wexton-type candidate before, and she’ll do it again in November.”
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.