Ben Cline, Jennifer Brown Win in 6th District Contests

Congratulations to the winners of Saturday’s 6th Congressional GOP District convention.

Congress: For the first time since I moved to the Shenandoah Valley in 1996, I will have a new congressman. Delegate Ben Cline was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in November 2002 when he was 30 and single. Now 46 and married with two daughters, he has secured the congressional nomination and most likely will be the next representative in this deep red district. He defeated Cynthia Dunbar who had stirred controversy, and six other candidates including Harrisonburg-Rockingham Clerk of Court Chaz Haywood who stepped aside during his remarks at the convention and threw his support behind Ben.

District Chairman: Jennifer Brown won in her contest with incumbent 6th District chairman Scott Sayre with a decisive 59 percent of the vote. “The lady in red,” her get-it-done attitude with a ready smile has endeared her to many as she traveled the district from one end to the other. An attorney who lives in Rockingham County, she shows all signs of being front and center to face the challenges ahead.

Regional Vice Chairs: Only one regional vice chair was competitive: the northern end of the district where Jonathan Comer won. Jon’s been involved with the Republican Party since his days at Virginia Tech so it’s exciting to see him once again as part of the 6th District Committee. Central vice chair Craig Storrs Jr. was running against Wendell Walker who withdrew and threw his support behind Craig. Southern vice chair Steve Richards had no opposition.

Congressman Bob Goodlatte was a delegate at Saturday’s event and a presence around the floor. His has been a steady leadership that will be continued by someone he knows well. Our thanks to both he and Maryellen as they prepare for some well-deserved time off.

Thanks to all the delegates who took time from busy lives to spend a day in Harrisonburg and exercise their right to vote. That was a challenging hurtle for some who persevered and didn’t give up when their delegate creds were challenged by the Sayre-Dunbar team.

Volunteers … I have always said volunteers are the heart of any organization, and the GOP is no exception. And the candidates … thank you for stepping up to run. That’s what it’s all about.

Convention 2018 is in the history books. Now on to the general election in November.