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SENATE RACES

NEW summaries of key Senate races in Virginia.

Following are summaries of key Senate races in Virginia. These brief reports are updated daily, where needed. Much more information on campaigns, the candidates, their districts, their finances and their positions on important business issues is available in the members-only section at www.vafree.com (* indicates incumbent)

S 01 * Marty Williams (R) Defeated by Patricia Stall (R) in GOP Primary

Marty Williams was one of two GOP moderate incumbent senators to be defeated in June primaries by the Republican right. Patricia Stall upset Williams, chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee, with a margin of 757 votes in this Peninsula district intraparty contest. In 1999, Stall was the Republican nominee in an overlapping House district, challenging veteran Democrat Alan Diamonstein. She lost by 1,000 votes in a three-way race. She ran again in 2001 following Diamonstein’s retirement, but withdrew from the race after being far outpaced by Glenn Oder, the eventual winner.

Marty Williams represented suburban portions of Newport News and Hampton since he scored one of the biggest upsets in modern legislative campaigns by ousting Senate Majority Leader Hunter Andrews in 1995. Williams was among the strongest business allies in the Senate with a cumulative Virginia FREE rating of 83 and a pro-business voting record consistently close to 90%.

The district leans Republican, voting 54% for Allen in the 06 US Senate race; 49% Kilgore and 48% Kaine; and 60% Bush. It encompasses suburban portions of the cities of Newport News and Hampton, the city of Poquoson and a slice of York County. Sixty percent of the voters live in Newport News.

Democrats scrambled to field a candidate following Stall's unexpected primary win and their nominee is John Miller, a former local television news anchor who works at Christopher Newport University. Democrats were headed for an unusual July primary until Ross Mugler, Hampton Commisioner of the Revenue, withdrew from the race, citing the need for unity and announcing his support for Miller. Democrats see an opening in this Republican-leaning district because Stall is aligned with a staunchly conservative GOP base, which could move independent voters and centrist Republicans to an alternate candidate.

Miller has a bipartisan political background, having worked as press secretary and chief of staff for former Republican U.S. Sen. Paul Trible. In 2001, Miller lost to Del. G. Glenn Oder, R-Newport News, in a race that was widely hailed as a model of civility.

S 06 * Nick Rerras (R)
Ralph Northam (D)

This is one of only four senate districts occupied by Republicans that voted for Democrats Tim Kaine in 2005 and Jim Webb in 2006. It is a swing district, voting 50% for Webb, 52% for Kaine and 54% for Bush. Almost two-thirds of the district’s voters are concentrated in 24 Norfolk precincts and about 20% are in Accomack County.

Dr. Ralph Northam is a child neurologist at Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters (CHKD), a former Army major and former resident of the Eastern Shore. He was recruited by Democrats to challenge incumbent Republican Nick Rerras in this Norfolk-based district that encompasses all of the Eastern Shore and Mathews County. Rerras is seeking hs third term after knocking out long-time incumbent Stanley Walker in 1999 and winning re-election in 2001 with more than 60% of the vote over Andrew Protogyrou.

Rerraas is a social conservative and works as a business development manager for a technology firm. He is a reliable pro-business vote with a cumulative VAFREE business rating of 74. He was born in Norfolk in 1957, graduated from local Granby High School, and served in the Army from 1974-77. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Philadelphia Biblical University.

Rerras generated a spate of bad press early in the race when he was accused by a judicial nominee of asking political “litmus test” questions about personal views on abortion and domestic violence. The nominee, Mary G. Commander, said the senator’s questions were unethical and inappropriate; that he used the term “FemiNazi” regarding domestic violence laws; and that she should be “involved” in the GOP, which Commander interpreted “as a solicitation for monetary contributions.” The Norfolk Virginian-Pilot criticized Rerras, saying the incident “raises serious questions about his own judgment.”

S 09 * Benny Lambert (D) Defeated by Don McEachin (D) in Democratic Primary

Benny Lambert is approaching 30 years in the General Assembly and would have been invincible if not for his endorsement of Republican US Sen. George Allen in 2006. His public support for Allen infuriated many among the party faithful. Delegate McEachin, meanwhile, played a high-profile role in the winning US Senate campaign of Jim Webb, defending Webb against attacks that he was racially insensitive. Some Democrats credibly argue that McEachin played a strong supporting role in delivering the US Senate to their party.

This issue handed McEachin all the ammunition he needed to win 58% of June 12 primary voters. There was even some discussion of booting Lambert from the party and thus disqualifying him from the primary ballot - a move that never materialized.

McEachin has a history of running against fellow Democrats. In the 1980's, he came close to beating Delegate Frank Hall in a House primary. In 1995, he ousted the venerable House Appropriations Chairman Bob Ball in a narrow primary win. He gave up that seat to run for attorney general in 2001, then won his current House seat by edging out fellow Democrat Floyd Miles in a primary two years ago. Now he has claimed the seat held for nearly 30 years by Lambert.

S 11 * Steve Martin (R)
Roger Habeck (I)

Roger Habeck, 66, is the founder and past executive director of the Chesterfield Chamber of Commerce. He owns and publishes the state government journal “Virginia Review.” He also operates Facilitation Services LLC, a firm that assists clients with local government dealings such as securing permits. A former Chesterfield GOP committee member, Habeck quit the party to run as an Independent.

Martin, 50. Is a financial services and insurance professional. He is a solid pro-business vote with a cumulative VAFREE business rating of 78. First elected to the House of Delegates in 1987, he moved to the Senate in 1994, winning a four-way race in a special election when GOP incumbent Bob Russell resigned after being convicted of embezzlement. Martin is a social conservative with strong ties to the religious right. In 2000, he sought the GOP nomination for the 7th Congressional District seat after incumbent U.S. Rep. Tom Bliley announced his retirement. Martin ran as a populist outsider against State Del. Eric Cantor, who won the June primary by a scant 263 votes, a margin narrowed by Martin’s dogged pursuit of Christian conservatives. Martin was born in Chesterfield County in 1956. He graduated from Lynchburg Christian Academy run by the Rev. Jerry Falwell.

This is a strong Republican district comprised of most of Chesterfield County and the city of Colonial Heights. GOP candidates consistently garner close to 60% of the district vote.

S 12 * Walter Stosch (R) Wins GOP Primary Over Joe Blackburn (R)

Senate Majority Leader Walter Stosch spent nearly $1 million to capture a 270 vote margin in a serious challenge from the anti-tax wing of his party. Joe Blackburn, a Richmond attorney, enlisted key advisors to former Governor Jim Gilmore to assist his effort, and he claimed the endorsement of VCAP, the Virginia Conservative Action PAC.

Stosch, among the strongest business allies in the General Assembly, amassed a formidable war chest, but the key to victory in a June primary has little to do with money. It's all about getting your supporters to the polls. Stosch has represented suburban Henrico County since 1983 and he rallied a strong base of support.

S 13 * Fred Quayle (R)
Steve Heretick (D)

Fred Quayle won a landside victory with 83% of the vote over Richard Ramsey in a GOP primary this year. He now faces a strong challenge from Democrat Steve Heretick who won his party's nod with 70% in a primary over David Bouchard. Quayle is no stranger to competitive campaigns. The Chesapeake attorney narrowly defeated Democratic incumbent Johnny Joannou of Portsmouth in 1991. Four years later, Joannou challenged him in a rematch, and Quayle won with 51% of the vote. Since then he has won more handily - but never without opposition.

Steve Heretick is a city councilman and litigator in Portsmouth - the largest jurisdiction in this broad district that winds along the southern banks of the James River. Heretick is chairman of the Portsmouth Democratic committee, and a 1982 graduate of William & Mary with a law degree from Villanova. He will be running uphill in this reliably Republican District that gave margins of 60%, 56%, and 52% to Bush, Allen and Kilgore, respectively. The Marriage amendment passed here by nearly two to one.

Quayle is an unwavering ally of business with very high ratings from Virginia FREE throughout his legislative career.

S 17 * Edd Houck (D)
Chris Yakabouski (R)

Democrat Edd Houck represents this decidedly Republican district that includes the eastern half of Spotsylvania, one of the fastest growing jurisdictions in the country. Wedged between Interstates 64 to the south and 95 to the east, the district also encompasses the counties of Culpeper, Madison, Orange and Louisa. Republican candidates consistently carry the district with more than 55% of the vote – except when they run against Houck.

First elected in 1983, Houck has captured 60% of the vote in his past two campaigns for re-election, trouncing credible GOP challengers. The key to his success is dogged attention to constituent service and his image as an independent candidate who is not given to ideological extremes.

He has compiled a respectable record of support for business, with a cumulative VAFREE voting record of 77%.

Chris Yakabouski, 32, is a home remodeler and GOP activist. He is chairman of the Spotsylvania County Board of Supervisors. He describes himself as “a George Allen and Ronald Reagan type of Republican.” Four years on the Spotsylvania County Board has convinced him that the state government does not fully understand and appreciate the needs of localities, Yakabouski said.

S 19 OPEN – Charles Hawkins (R) retires
Robert Hurt (R)

Retiring Republican Charles Hawkins is among the strongest supporters of business in the General Assembly. The amiable gentleman from Southside, a retired haberdasher, has served with distinction in the legislature since he was first elected to the House of Delegates in 1981. Ten years later he moved to the Virginia Senate, winning without opposition.

Robert Hurt, a lawyer with deep roots in the Southside tobacco belt, has represented the Pittsylvania County area in the House of Delegates since 2002. He resigned his House seat to enter this Senate race as the heavy favorite. Hurt is an energetic advocate for his native Southside region and its declining tobacco and textile industries. During the 2004 budget debate, he told constituents that he was wary of the proposed tax increases, saying they might do “much more harm than good” to the region. As the impasse dragged on, however, he joined those who broke from the House GOP anti-tax position.

The district borders North Carolina, encompassing Danville, all of Pittsylvania and Franklin counties and the southern half of Campbell County. It is strong Republican territory, voting 60% for Allen in 2006, 54% for Kilgore in 2005 and 60% for Bush in 2004.

S 20 * Roscoe Reynolds (D)
Jeff Evans (R)

Roscoe Reynolds, an attorney in his hometown of Martinsville, is one of the General Assembly's most conservative Democrats and a reliable friend of business. He first won his Senate seat in a 1996 special election by defeating Del. Allen Dudley, R-Rocky Mount, in an open-seat contest to replace Virgil Goode, who had left for Congress. Prior to that he served 12 years in the House of Delegates. In 2003 he won handily against a weak Republican opponent.

Jeff Evans, 50, presents a more formidable challenge in this Republican-leaning district that voted 57% for George Allen in 2006 and 53% for Kilgore in 2005. Evans is an Army veteran, a former state trooper and current vice chairman of the Carroll County Board of Supervisors. He was born in Grayson County, near Galax, and joined the Army at age 17, serving in Germany and later in the Army Reserves. He was employed by the state police from 1978 until he retired in 2000. He first ran for Carroll County supervisor in 2003.

Evans said he plans to campaign on the issues of taxes, illegal immigration and moral values. He has attacked Reynolds for supporting Governor Warner's tax reform package in 2004, and he is quoted in recent press reports saying, "we're seeing illegal immigrants take over our communities."

S 22 * Brandon Bell (R) Defeated by Ralph Smith (R) in GOP Primary
Mike Breiner (D)

Former Roanoke mayor Ralph Smith mounted a winning challenge from the Republican right over incumbent Brandon Bell. Smith is a strong conservative who was elected in Roanoke in 2000 with 35% in a three-way race. He did not seek re-election as mayor of the Star City, but moved to neighboring Botetourt County with intentions to continue his political career.

Bell, a financial advisor, was taking his second turn in the Virginia Senate. He represented the Roanoke Valley for four years in the early 1990s and was defeated by Sen. John Edwards. Following major shifts in redistricting, he was elected again in 2003 in what is now a strong GOP district.

Democrats have a credible potential contender in Dr. Mike Breiner, a board-certified plastic surgeon who founded the Southwest Virginia Center for Cosmetic, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in Roanoke. He was graduated from Hampden-Sydney magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa, and earned his MD at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk. Breiner is said to have strong backing from Dick Cranwell, but he would face tough sledding in a district that voted 59% Allen, 54% Kilgore and 65% Bush.

S 24 * Emmett Hanger (R)
David Cox (D)
Arin Sime (I)

Emmett Hanger won with 53% in a GOP primary this year over Scott Sayre, a Lexington businessman who mounted a strong challenge with backing from the right wing, including VCAP – the Virginia Conservative Action PAC.

Hanger has consistently solid Virginia FREE scores. He is cast in the mold of Caldwell Butler, a “mountain-valley Republican,” with a moderate, practical approach to politics. It is his moderation, especially on tax issues, that has raised the ire of some in the GOP ranks and led to this year's Republican primary challenge. Hanger is undeterred, having survived the wrath of the Club for Growth and other conservative forces in his party during the omnibus tax reform struggle in 2004. Hanger served four terms in the House before being redistricted out of his seat in 1991. But he returned to Richmond in 1995, defeating Senator Frank Nolen in a close three-way race. He was unopposed for re-election in 1999 and won 72% of the vote against Democrat Steve Sisson in 2003.

Retired Episcopal pastor David Cox will fill the Democratic ticket for the 24th Senate District race, after a cordial but convincing caucus win over Will Hrovat, a power plant operator for Dominion Virginia Power. Cox now faces an steep uphill climb in this district that has been in Republican control for 12 years.

Arin Sime describes himself as both a “conservative libertarian and a Goldwater Republican.” He summarizes his positions succinctly: “I am pro-life, pro-gun, pro-school choice, pro-farmer, pro-property rights, pro-small business, anti-eminent domain abuse and anti-tax hikes. In short, I believe in keeping government as small as possible, and I trust the average citizen over the average bureaucrat.” Sime owns a software-development consulting firm and is a 1997 graduate of UVA.

This Shenandoah Valley district is rock-ribbed Republican turf, voting 62% Allen, 56% Kilgore and 65% Bush. It is centered in Augusta and Rockingham Counties, Staunton and Waynesboro, and also includes Greene and Highland counties, Lexington, and parts of Rockbridge and Albemarle counties.

S 26 * Mark Obenshain (R)
Maxine Roles (D)

Mark Obenshain comes from the Republican party’s conservative wing. The Harrisonburg attorney took a no-tax vow and is a committed social conservative. He is the son of Richard Obenshain, an architect of Virginia’s modern Republican Party who encouraged the defection of conservative Democrats to the GOP in the 1970s. The elder Obenshain was the Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate in 1978 when he died in a plane crash while campaigning. Mark’s sister, Kate Obsenshain Griffin, chaired the Republican Party of Virginia from 2004-06.

Maxine Roles serves on the Board of Directors of Virginia C.U.R.E., Citizens United for Rehabilitation of Errants. The organization advocates public policy to help restore the lives of criminal offenders, their families and crime victims.

Senate District 26 is considered one of the most reliably Republican in the state. In 2004, President Bush received nearly two out of every three votes cast. It embodies the heart of the Shenandoah Valley, taking in Page, Rappahannock, Shenandoah Rockingham and Warren Counties and the city of Harrisonburg.

S 27 OPEN - Russ Potts (R) retires
Jill Holtzman Vogel (R)
Karen Shultz (D)
Donald Marro

Jill Holtzman Vogel, an attorney in Warrenton, defeated Mark Tate, a restaurateur in Middleburg, in a bruising rematch for the GOP nod in a June primary. Vogel ran for the same nomination in 2003, but withdrew in favor of Tate. Tate came within 106 votes of defeating incumbent Sen. Russ Potts in a Republican primary in June 2003. He is a demonstrated fundraiser and vote-getter who had endorsements from US Sen. John Warner, Delegate Joe May and the National Rifle Association. In late May Tate was indicted on several counts of election fraud dating back to his 2003 bid against Potts. Speculation swirled that the charges were just trumped-up politics, but they were very damaging to the Tate campaign.

Vogel is a Director of VCAP, the Virginia Conservative Action PAC. She’s a native of the Shenandoah Valley with deep family roots in the region. Her priority issues include: “Pro-Family, Pro-Life, Protect the 2nd Amendment, Fight Richmond’s Wasteful Spending, and Transportation Solutions Without Raising Taxes.” She is a graduate of William & Mary with a law degree from DePaul University, and is a nationally recognized lawyer in Republican political circles. She has held senior posts in the Republican Party and in the Bush administration, including Chief Counsel to the Republican National Committee and Deputy Counsel at the Department of Energy.

Karen Shultz, 54, is an associate professor and instructional designer for Shenandoah University’s pharmacy program. She is resigning from the Winchester school board, a post she has held since 2001, to run for Senate.

Donald Marro, 63, is from The Plains and says his independent bid for the Senate is motivated by the departure of several Senate moderates. He said the void created by Russ Potts’s exit — and the exodus of moderate Sens. John H. Chichester, R-Fredericksburg, and Charles R. Hawkins, R-Chatham — needs to be filled. He said his true independent candidacy will feature centrist viewpoints, trying to bring together people to form coalitions for change and progress.

Retiring Senator Russ Potts has represented the upper Shenandoah Valley since he succeeded long-time Senate Minority Leader, William “Doc” Truban, in 1992. Never a shrinking violet, Potts has frequently clashed with his own party, surviving primary challenges in 1999 and 2003. But the last straw for many Republicans was his Independent campaign for Governor in 2005.

S 28 OPEN – John Chichester (R) retires
Richard Stuart (R)
Albert Pollard (D)

John Chichester, the powerful Senate President and Finance Committee Chairman, is retiring after 30 years of distinguished service to the Commonwealth. His departure makes way for a competitive campaign in a diverse district that stretches along the banks of the Potomac River from Fauquier County to Windmill Point jutting into Chesapeake Bay.

Richard Stuart won the GOP nod in a firehouse primary on May 19. He was a late entry in a crowded Republican field, but he had the backing of both Senator Chichester and House Speaker Bill Howell. Stuart, 43, is a former commonwealth’s attorney and a lawyer in Westmoreland County in Virginia’s Northern Neck. Chichester says he supports Stuart because he likes the candidate’s approach to fiscal policy and because he is an “independent thinker.” Howell said he decided to back Stuart primarily because he's from the Northern Neck, which Howell thinks will mitigate Democrat Albert Pollard's expected strength in that portion of the district in the November general election.

Conservative Republicans led by Russ Moulton, chairman of the 28th district GOP committee, supported John Van Hoy of Fredericksburg, a former chairman of the Stafford Republican Committee and a member of the Republican State Central Committee for the 1st Congressional District. Two other GOP contenders were Joe Graziano, 37, a Stafford County businessman who returned in December from a tour of duty in Iraq, and Jon Myers a Marine Corps officer with combat experience in Iraq who now works for the State Department..

Albert Pollard served in the Virginia House of Delegates from 2000-2005 representing the 99th district in the Northern Neck. He was a very popular Democrat in a Republican House district that makes up the eastern portion of this Senate district. Pollard is expected to run strong in the areas he previously represented and will be challenged to outpace Republican opposition in the remaining jurisdictions of Fredericksburg and Stafford County.

The 28th Senate District is as diverse as any in Virginia. Its upper reaches lie in the burgeoning bedroom communities just outside of Northern Virginia, while the lower end rests in the bucolic fishing communities of Reedville and Kilmarnock on the Northern Neck. It is decidedly Republican, voting 56% for Allen, 54% Kilgore and 61% Bush.

Senator Chichester has about $335,000 in his campaign account that he is expected to use to make a difference in this race.

S 29 * Chuck Colgan (D)
Bob FitzSimmonds (R)

Colgan is a legend in his time, and is possibly the only Democrat in Virginia who could win in this Republican district. He has represented Manassas and Prince William County since 1976 and is the longest serving member of the Senate. He has amassed an epic record of bipartisanship and support for business with Virginia FREE ratings among the highest in the legislature. Governor Warner and fellow Senators persuaded him to forego retirement in 2003, and he won re-election with 55% over Republican Dave Mabie. In 2006, Colgan marked his 80th birthday and lost his best friend and strong political ally, Republican Delegate Harry Parrish. It was widely thought that Colgan would retire this year but he surprised the pundits with an announcement in March that he will seek another term.

Conservative Republican Bob FitzSimmonds is making his second bid for the Senate, having lost to Colgan with 42% in 1999. He is an aide to Sen. Ken Cuccinelli and a former aide to Del. Scott Lingamfelter, with endorsements from Jim Gilmore, Jay O’Brien, Morton Blackwell, Pat McSweeney and Dick Black, to name a few. This district voted 57% Bush, and 53% Kilgore. However, Prince William County, with 75% of the voting population in the district, gave narrow margins to Webb (51% ) and Kaine (50%).

Colgan’s popularity and record of achievement give him the edge in this race.

S 33 * Mark Herring (D)
Patricia Phillips (R)

Patricia Phillips, a food industry consultant who was Virginia director of Concerned Women for America for 11 years, won the GOP nod to challenge Democratic incumbent freshman Mark Herring in the 33rd Senate District this fall. Phillips won a firehouse primary in May, mobilizing the conservative grassroots to defeat John Andrews, a businessman and real estate entrepreneur who served on the Loudoun County School Board.

Herring ran unsuccessfully against Sen. Russ Potts in 2003 but won a landslide victory in a condensed special-election campaign to fill Deputy Attorney General Bill Mims’ senate seat last winter. Early speculation focused on a possible GOP challenge this year from retired Washington Redskins superstar, Darrell Green. But a bid by the all-pro cornerback never materialized.

Herring has emerged as a solid friend of business in two sessions of the General Assembly, compiling an impressive VAFREE voting record.

Loudoun County has seen it’s population more than double in a decade and the newcomers have made this a competitive district. Historically safe Republican territory, the 33rd help carry Tim Kaine to victory in 2005, voting about 53% for all three Democratic statewide candidates. Webb continued the trend to blue with 52% of the district vote against George Allen. It’s a very competitive district, especially in legislative elections.

The Loudoun GOP is in disarray, torn by warring factions. The nominating convention originally set for this race was declared invalid by state GOP authorities and was seen as an attempt to exclude many from participation. Republicans then opted for a firehouse primary.

S 34 * Jeannemarie Devolites Davis (R)
Chap Petersen (D)

Senator Jeannemarie Devolites Davis and former Delegate Chap Petersen have combined war chests of well over $1 million to begin this race that is certain to be a clash of Titans and one of the most interesting bouts in recent Virginia politics.

Devolites Davis is a solid pro-business vote. In 2004, she scored a perfect 10 for 10 on votes selected by Virginia FREE, making her the only member of the entire General Assembly to earn a 100 percent voting record in that tumultuous session. She has come under heavy fire from anti-tax Republicans who have threatened to work against her re-election this year, and she is a prime target of Democrats in Fairfax County which, increasingly, has taken on distinct shades of blue. Although the GOP drew the district with Jeannemarie in mind, she won the seat with a margin of just 2,400 votes in 2003 over a well-funded, but inexperienced challenger. Since then, Webb, Kaine, Byrne and Deeds all carried the district with 57% or better.

Peterson compiled an admirable, though not stellar, VAFREE record in the House and is popular in this swing Senate district that includes Fairfax City -- the heart of his old House district and the epicenter of his political base. He finished third in an unsuccessful bid for Lt. Gov. in 2003 but carried Fairfax City with more than 80% of the vote.

Both candidates are charismatic and well known with a proven ability to raise large sums of money. And both hew toward their respective parties' political centers. This is one to watch.

Devolites Davis is the only Republican in the state Senate to represent a district that voted for John Kerry, Tim Kaine, Leslie Byrne (D), Creigh Deeds (D), Jim Webb and “no” on the gay-marriage amendment.

S 37 * Ken Cuccinelli (R)
Janet Oleszek (D)

Senator Cuccinelli is seeking his second full term after first winning a special election in 2002 to complete the unexpired term of Warren Barry. He was re-elected in 2003, capturing 53% of the vote against Democrat James Mitchell in a costly struggle that saw the candidates spend a combined $750,000. Cuccinelli is a leading spokesman for the conservative wing of his party and refuses to contribute money to the Senate Republican Caucus headed by moderates with whom he has clashed on tax issues. Cuccinelli set up a splinter GOP caucus, known as the Republican Senate Victory PAC.

Janet Oleszek was elected to the Fairfax County School Board as an at-large member in 2003 and was a top vote getter. She is making her second bid for the General Assembly, having lost by 450 votes in a primary against Dave Bulova for 37th House district in 2005. She's a graduate of the University of California with a Masters in education from American University. She describes her occupation as "Fairfax County School Board, housewife and mom."

Democrats sense an opportunity in this southwestern Fairfax district that voted 54% Webb, 55% Kaine, 54% Byrne and 52% Deeds. The district, home to AOL and other tech companies clustered around Dulles Airport, boasts one of the highest median income levels in the country. An interesting political dynamic is seen in the influx of immigrants, with Asians and Hispanics combining for nearly a fourth of the district's population.

S 39 * Jay O'Brien (R)
George Barker (D)

George Barker defeated Greg Galligan with 61% of the vote in a Democratic primary this year. Galligan was making his second run in the 39th, having lost to O'Brien 58% -42% in 2003.

Barker ran against Jay O'Brien for the newly-created, open 40th House seat in Northern Virginia in 1991, losing 56%-44%. He ran against O'Brien again in 1993 with similar results, That was a gubernatorial year with Fairfax splitting tickets for Allen (R), Beyer (D), and Dolan (D). Barker is Associate Director of the Health Systems Agency of Northern Virginia, a nonprofit organization planning the development of health care facilities and services.

Democrats see opportunity in recent returns. The district voted 54% Webb, 55% Kaine. 54% Byrne and 53% Deeds. Bush carried the district by less than 1% in 2004. But O'Brien's margins are much better: 57% when he moved from the House to the Senate in a 2002 special election, and 58% when re-elected for his first full Senate term in 2003.