By Debbie Hall
Wren Williams, a Stuart attorney, won his bid for the Republican nomination in Virginia’s 9th House of Delegates district against incumbent Del. Charles Poindexter, R-Glade Hill.
“I’m humbled and honored to be the Republican nominee,” Williams said. “Voters sent a loud message to Richmond and special insiders that they are fed up with business as usual from career politicians. This isn’t the end, this is the start of change for Southside and Southwest Virginia.”
Williams won all of the precincts in Patrick County, garnering 2,283 votes to the 439 cast for Poindexter, according to unofficial results from Patrick County Registrar Susan Taylor.
A breakdown of the precincts shows that in Ararat, 103 votes were cast for Williams and 20 for Poindexter; in Claudville, 107 were cast for Williams and 34 for Poindexter; in Willis Gap, 87 voters supported Williams and 27 voted for Poindexter; in Dry Pond, 87 votes were cast for Williams and seven for Poindexter.
In Patrick Springs, 247 ballots were cast for Williams and 38 for Poindexter; in Russell Creek, 175 ballots were for Williams and 38 for Poindexter; in Critz/Stella, 180 supported Williams and 25 supported Poindexter; in Liberty, 164 were cast for Williams and 35 for Poindexter.
In Meadows of Dan, 146 ballots were cast for Williams and 33 for Poindexter; in Stuart Fairgrounds, 261 ballots for Williams and 52 for Poindexter; in Stuart Community, 109 votes for Williams and 17 for Poindexter; in Elamsville, 123 for Williams and 29 for Poindexter; in Woolwine, 189 for Williams and 46 for Poindexter; Central Absentee Precinct, 305 ballots were cast for Williams and for 38 Poindexter.
According to unofficial results from the State Board of Elections website, Williams also carried Henry County.
“We weren’t surprised. We knew we put in the work on the ground and we took the time to get to know voters and their concerns,” Williams said, adding he is focused on providing better service to the district.
“This couldn’t have been accomplished without the help of so many dedicated volunteers, friends, family and my great staff,” Williams said by phone from his victory party at Stanburn Winery.
Poindexter, a 14-year veteran lawmaker, carried Franklin County by 15 to 20 percent as of 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, according to unofficial results on the website.
Williams said that did not surprise him, “but obviously there were a lot of individuals” who voted against Poindexter.
Thanking Poindexter “for the service he has provided,” Williams said Poindexter has been loyal and held fast to the party’s values.
“It’s just time for a change,” he added.
“Let me be among the first to congratulate Wren Williams on his win tonight. I look forward to helping elect Wren this November and work with him in the Virginia House of Delegates as we work to advance our shared conservative principles. He will make a fine addition to our caucus in November,” House Republican Leader Todd Gilbert said in a statement.
“I also want to thank my friend Del. Charles Poindexter for his service to the people of the 9th House District and the entire Commonwealth. Charles has been a stalwart conservative for his entire career. The citizens of Franklin, Patrick, and Henry counties have been well served by Charlie, and I will always appreciate his friendship.”
Poindexter could not be reached for comment.
In the Democratic primary for Governor, Terry McAuliffe carried Patrick County, garnering 217 votes of the 294 total ballots cast in the race, according to unofficial results from Taylor.
In his bid for Lieutenant Governor, Sam Rasoul won 103 ballots of the 284 total votes cast in Patrick County, according to unofficial results.
In the race for Attorney General, incumbent Mark Herring won 191 of the 276 ballots cast in that race, according to results from Taylor’s office.
