The state may have chosen to go blue, selecting Democrat Abigail Spanberger as governor, but Orange and Madison county residents stuck to their red roots.
Statewide, Spanberger received 1,920,423, 57.14%, of the vote to become Virginia’s first female governor. Republican Winsome Earle-Sears received 1,433,835, 42.66%. There were 6,694 write-in votes. Locally, Earle-Sears was the top choice, with 9,863 votes in Orange County, 57.59% and 4,237 votes in Madison County, 64.10%.
The case was the same for the positions of Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General. Democrat Ghazala Hashimi received 1,846,005 votes, 55.23%, to become the state’s first Muslim Lieutenant Governor. Republican John Reid received 1,488,056 votes, 44.52%. There were 8,480 write-in votes. Locally, Reid was the top choice with 10,188 votes, 51.89% in Orange County and 4,343, 66.31% in Madison County.
Jay Jones was elected Attorney General with 1,753,265 votes throughout the state, 52.72% compared to incumbent Jason Miyares’ 1,558,792 votes, 46.88%. Locally, Miyares was victorious with 10,478 votes, 61.80% in Orange County and 4,461 votes, 68.36% in Madison County.
In the House of Delegates elections, Republican Karen Hamilton was the top choice with 21,456 votes throughout the 62nd District, 58.49%. Democrat Sara Ratcliffe received 15,132 votes, 41.25%. The district includes Greene and Madison counties, as well as portions of Culpeper and Orange counties. Hamilton received 4,046 votes in Orange County, 58.25% and 4,290 votes, 65.42% in Madison County. She will fill the spot being vacated by Nick Freitas who did not seek reelection.
In the 63rd District, which includes portions of Orange and Spotsylvania counties, Republican incumbent Phillip Scott was victorious with 21,220 votes throughout the district, 56.10%. Scott received 6,054 votes, 60.13%, in Orange County.
Voter turnout was strong in both Orange and Madison counties. In Orange County, 17,190 ballots were cast, approximately 52% of the 30,312 registered voters. In Madison County, 6,628 ballots were cast, approximately 61% of the 10,807 registered voters. Early voting was favorable in both counties with 5,205 ballots cast early in Orange County and 2,351 cast in Madison County. Statewide, 1,128,210 ballots were cast during early voting.
