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PRIMARY ELECTION RESULTS

General Assembly primary balloting results here. Moderate Republican senators turned back three of five challenges from their right flank in primary balloting in June but were defeated in key races in Roanoke and Hampton Roads.

Moderate Republican senators turned back three of five challenges from their right flank in primary balloting in June but were defeated in key races in Roanoke and Hampton Roads.

Senators Walter Stosch, Emmett Hanger and Fred Quayle won intra-party battles that are likely tantamount to election in November, but Marty Williams, chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee, and Brandon Bell of Roanoke were defeated in bitter contests that will make for more competitive general election races in Roanoke and Newport News.

Jill Holtzman Vogel won a bruising campaign over fellow conservative Mark Tate in the Winchester-based seat vacated by the retirement of moderate incumbent Republican Russ Potts.

In Democratic balloting, 30-year incumbent Benny Lambert was ousted by Delegate and trial lawyer Don McEachin in Richmond. Lambert’s endorsement of Republican George Allen in last year’s US Senate race was his Achilles heel.

Former Richmond Commonwealth's Attorney Joe Morrissey, disbarred from the practice of law, won a five-way primary in the 74th House District to replace McEachin, who gave up his seat to run against Lambert. Morrissey is expected to win the general election in this strong Democratic district.

There were no real surprises in other House primaries.

Incumbent Democrats Dan Bowling in the southwest and Johnny Joannou in Portsmouth each turned back primary challenges with 54% of the vote.

Jimmie Massie clobbered Jimmy Wheat for the GOP nod in retiring Jack Reid’s seat in the Richmond suburbs.

Margi Vanderhye won the Democratic nod in Vince Callahan’s open seat, the only remaining district inside the beltway that is held by a Republican. Chris Stolle, brother of Senator Ken Stolle, will carry the GOP banner in the Virginia Beach seat vacated by Leo Wardrup.

The battleground for the Senate in November broadens now to include Brandon Bell’s seat in Roanoke, Marty Williams’ seat in Hampton Roads, and Russ Potts’ seat based in Winchester.

Other key Senate races include: Ken Cuccinelli (R) vs. Janet Oleszek (D) Fairfax: Chuck Colgan (D) vs. Bob Fitzsimmons (R) Prince William: Jay O'Brien (R) vs. George Barker (D) Fairfax: Jeannemarie Davis (R) vs. Chap Petersen (D) Fairfax: Nick Rerras (R) vs. Ralph Northam (D) Eastern Shore: Richard Stuart (R) vs. Albert Pollard (D) Northern Neck; Roscoe Reynolds (D) vs. Jeff Evans (R) Southwest

Before a single general election ballot is cast, 14 seats in the General Assembly will turn over:

Senate: S 01 Marty Williams (R) defeated in primary; S 09 Benny Lambert (D) defeated in primary; S 19 Charles Hawkins (R) retires; S 22 Brandon Bell (R) defeated in primary; S 27 Russ Potts (R) retires; S 28 John Chichester (R) retires;

House: H 09 Allen Dudley (R) retires; H 16 Robert Hurt (R) runs for Senate; H 34 Vince Callahan (R) retires; H 51 Michelle McQuigg (R) runs for Clerk of Court in Prince William County; H 72 Jack Reid (R) retires; H 74 Don McEachin (D) runs for Senate; H 83 Leo Wardrup (R) retires; H 96 Melanie Rapp (R) retires.