DANVILLE, Va. – Voters in Danville and Pittsylvania County head to the polls today.
A newcomer and a nine-term incumbent face off in the 14th District House of Delegates race. Republican Danny Marshall has served in the Virginia House since 2002. Marshall, 67, serves on numerous committees, including: House Counties, Cities and Towns; Commerce and Labor; Agriculture and Natural Resources; and The Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission.
Marshall faces a challenge from political newcomer Eric Stamps, a 29-year-old who was born and raised in Danville. He has volunteered on numerous campaigns, founded Indivisible Southside, and managed Dr. Gary Miller’s successful campaign for City Council.
The district includes all of Danville and parts of Pittsylvania and Henry counties. The 14th leans heavily Republican and has returned Marshall to Richmond repeatedly.
In the state 20th District Senate race, most Danville voters will choose between incumbent Republican Bill Stanley and Sherman Witcher Sr., an Independent. Voters in two precincts vote in the 15th Senate District race, which pits incumbent Republican incumbent Frank Ruff against Democrat Virginia Smith.
City voters will decide a three-way race for Clerk of Danville Circuit Court. Incumbent Gerald Gibson faces a formidable challenge from Charles Crumpler and Melissa Tuck in what has been the most visible race on the local ballot.
Danville voters will also decide whether they want to allow off-track horse betting in the city. Colonial Downs is interested in opening a Rosie’s Gaming Emporium in Danville for parimutuel betting.
Colonial Downs Group opened its first Rosie’s at Colonial Downs with 600 Historical Horse Racing machines in April and its second the following month in Vinton, with 150 HHR machines. Richmond followed in June, with another Rosie’s Emporium planned for Hampton.
In Pittsylvania County, there are contested races for the Tunstall and Westover District seats on the Board of Supervisors. The Tunstall seat is a three-way contest between Vic Ingram, Tim Barber and Hugh “Doc” Kelly, while Ronald Scearce and Jacqueline Menefee are both vying for the Westover District slot. Robin Coles Goard and Kristen C. Worsham are also vying for the Commissioner of Revenue seat.
Republican Sen. Frank Ruff faces a challenge from Democrat Virginia Smith in the 15th District race; Republican Del. Les Adams is being challenged by Libertarian Dustin Evans in the 13th District House race. Republican Sen. Bill Stanley is seeking to retain his seat in a match-up with Independent Sherman Witcher in the 20th District.
Throughout Virginia, voters will decide all 140 seats in the House and Senate.
Republicans are entering the election with the slimmest of majorities in each chamber. The races are getting national attention, because of the four states with legislative elections on Nov. 5, Virginia’s General Assembly has the highest odds of changing hands. If Democrats can pull it off, it will be the first time in 20 years that they have controlled both chambers.
The odds increased for Democrats under court-drawn maps which were meant to fix race-based gerrymandering that was found to be unconstitutional.
In Virginia, polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day.