Democrat Webb beats Sen. Allen in Rappahannock County, winning 4 of 6 precincts
By James P. Gannon
Democratic challenger James Webb defeated Republican Sen. George Allen in Rappahannock County in Tuesday’s election. Webb compiled 1,741 votes, or 51.6%, to Allen’s 1593 votes, or 47.2%, according to returns posted by the State Board of Electiions. But the statewide winner was uncertain, with Webb holding a slim lead–subject to recount–Wednesday morning.
Turnout in Rappahannock County was a heavy 64% of the county’s 5,261 voters. Tuesday’s turnout was substantially higher than the last off-year election in 2002, when 52.8% of the county’s registered voters went to the polls.
Rappahannock voters approved the constitutional amendment on marriage by a vote of 1,861 (56.3%) to 1,443 (43.7%) The amendment defines marriage as exclusively between one man and one woman. The marriage amendment was approved statewide also, by a margin of 58% in favor to 42% against.
In the U.S. House race for the district that includes the county, Rappahannock voters gave a very slim edge to the Republican incumbent, Eric Cantor. Cantor polled 1,668 votes in the county, just a shade under 50%, while Democratic challenger Jim Nachman won 1,592 votes or 47.7%. Independent W.B. Blanton received 75 votes, or 2.2%.
In the U.S. Senate race within Rappahannock County, Democrat Webb won a majority of votes in the Washington, Sperryville, Scrabble and Flint Hill precincts, while Sen. Allen’s pockets of strength were in the Amissville and Chester Gap precints.
Here is the breakdown of the Senate vote by precincts:
Washington: Allen 268, Webb 381
Amissville: Allen 383, Webb 289
Sperryville: Allen 275, Webb 409
Scrabble: Allen 328, Webb 357
Chester Gap: Allen 160, Webb 80
Flint Hill: Allen 179, Webb 225
-- James P. Gannon
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