CLIFTON, Va. — Voters headed to the polls Tuesday for a second Virginia primary day, which includes a U.S. senate race, U.S. House of Representative offices and some local races.
Polls close at 7 p.m. on Tuesday.
Among the more competitive races is the 10th Congressional District, which covers Loudoun County, parts of Prince William and Fairfax Counties, Fauquier County and Rappahannock County.
Democratic U.S. Rep. Jennifer Wexton decided not to seek re-election due to health issues. It opened up a rare opportunity for the 12 Democratic candidates who crowded the ballot.
There are familiar faces including Sen. Jennifer Boysko, former Virginia House Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn, Del. Dan Helmer, and Sen. Suhas Subramanyam, who is backed by Wexton.
Having this many candidates has been an opportunity and a challenge.
“They have to figure out a way in a primary to distinguish themselves from those other candidates who might be a lot like them,” University of Mary Washington Professor Stephen Farnsworth said.
With candidates largely in support of similar issues from reproductive rights to gun safety, voters at a polling location in Ashburn said they were learning more towards experience.
“For me, I think it's trying to get the person that can beat the other party in the general election,” Democratic voter Anne Alston said. “I don't think we need to send somebody to Congress that's kind of learning. That's not the place to learn, especially now.
For other voters, name recognition mattered most.
“I'm not sure how many people are really going in depth, but I've heard the candidate I voted for the last few years, and I was familiar with the person and the work that they did,” Democratic voter Rajiv Patnaik said. “Honestly, that’s where a lot of marketing does help.”
And at the end of the day, voters said they needed to just trust their instinct.
“It was sort of a gut thing at this point because I do think they're all qualified,” Democratic voter Meredith Hagler added.
Meanwhile, the VA-10 race also includes four Republican candidates.
“I’ll probably be voting Republican,” Loudoun County resident Mel Channing said. “For me, it's more of a party thing than the candidates. I do look at the candidates but for me, it's more of a party thing.”
The 7th Congressional District is another competitive race, which includes parts of Prince William County, Stafford County, Culpeper County and Spotsylvania County. Democratic U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger chose not to run for re-election to pursue becoming the next Virginia governor, providing a rare opportunity for the 13 Democratic and Republican candidates.
Political experts said Democrats need to sharpen their identity before the general election.
“You're looking at an environment at District 7 where there’s an opportunity for Republicans to be competitive if Democrats nominate someone who is problematic in the general election,” Farnsworth said.
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