Ben Cline, the Virginia delegate who has represented the 24th House District since 2002, won big on Tuesday in his quest to succeed Congressman Bob Goodlatte.
That leaves an empty delegate seat. Now what?
The 24th delegate seat must be filled before the 2019 General Assembly session that begins on Wednesday, January 9. It’s a short timeline so here are the dates for those who live in the District:
- November 13 (Tuesday) – Speaker Cox will formally issue Writ of Election
- November 14 (Wednesday) – 7:00 p.m. GOP Candidates Forum, Buena Vista American Legion Post #126, sponsored by Young Republicans from Washington & Lee, Lynchburg, and Southern Virginia University
- November 17 (Saturday) – GOP Firehouse Primary
- November 19 (Monday) – Filing deadline for political parties to nominate candidates, pursuant to § 24.2-510 of the Code of Virginia
- December 12 (Wednesday) – Voter registration deadline, pursuant to § 24.2-416 of the Code of Virginia
- December 18 (Tuesday) – Special Election
Firehouse Primary:
Date: Saturday, November 17
Hours: Must cast votes between 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
Locations: Various locations will be available throughout the 24th District
Augusta County:
–Riverheads High School, 19 Howardsville Rd, Staunton VA 24401
For Precincts: Ridgeview, White Hill, Greenville, Middlebrook, Spottswood
–Town Hall, 18 Hidy Street, Craigsville, VA 24430
For Precinct: Craigsville
Bath County:
–Hot Springs Firehouse, 2767 Main Street, Hot Springs, VA 24445
For All Precincts
Amherst County:
–County Administration Building, 153 Washington Street, Amherst, VA 24521
For Precincts: 201 Courthouse, 202 Temperance, 102 New Glasgow
–Monelison Vol Fire Dept, Main Station (near Amelon school): 133 Amer Cir, Madison Heights, VA
For Precincts: 103 Coolwell, 402 Lonco, 401 Amelon (part in 24th House of Delegates District)
–Monelison Vol Fire Dept, Elon Station: 2537 Elon Road, Monroe, VA 24574
For Precincts: 301 Monroe, 303 Plesant View, 302 Elon (part in 24th House of Delegates District)
Rockbridge Area:
–American Legion Building; 1953 Magnolia Avenue, Buena Vista, VA 24416
For Precincts: City of Buena Vista
–Rockbridge County Administration Building; 150 S. Main Street, Lexington, VA 24450
For Precincts: City of Lexington, County of Rockbridge (all precincts)
Candidates
There are four candidates seeking the Republican nomination:
Ronnie Campbell [1], a former Virginia State Policeman who now serves on the Rockbridge County Board of Supervisors. [email protected]
Jay Lewis [2], also a member of the Rockbridge County Board of Supervisors. [email protected]
Catie Austin-Brown [3], a small business owner in Rockbridge County.
Jimmy Ayers [4], a member of the Amherst County Board of Supervisors.
Who is included in the 24th House District?
The 24th House District covers an expansive area of western Virginia: all of Bath and Rockbridge counties, part of Amherst County, the southern part of Augusta County, and the cities of Buena Vista and Lexington.
Within its jurisdiction are Sweet Briar College, Southern Virginia University, Washington and Lee University, and Virginia Military Institute as well as Dabney S. Lancaster Community College and Central Virginia Community College.
Tourist Areas in the 24th District:
Natural Bridge, Virginia’s newest state part, the Blue Ridge Mountains, Goshen Pass, and two major rivers — the James and the Maury. Don’t forget historic Lexington at the southern end of the scenic Shenandoah Valley.
For more information check out the Sixth Congressional Republican District website [5].
Democrats will also hold a Firehouse Primary on November 17 to vote on their nominee to run in the special election on December 18.
Cover photo: Congressman-elect Ben Cline with 6th District Chairman Jennifer Brown