Election 2023: The winners and losers on Virginia's Eastern Shore
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Eastern Shore voters picked Republicans to represent them in the General Assembly in Richmond on Tuesday while also making several big changes locally.
Bloxom retains Virginia House of Delegates seat
Delegate Robert Bloxom Jr. easily retained his District 100 seat, receiving nearly 60 percent of the votes in Tuesday's election to defeat his Democratic challenger, Charlene Jones. Bloxom, who first assumed office in 2014, received 15,543 votes to Jones' 10,380.
In Accomack, Bloxom secured 65.6 percent of the votes or 7,029, according to an unofficial tally posted on the Virginia elections website Wednesday, while Jones got 3,673 votes or 34.29 percent. In Northampton, Bloxom got 2,170 votes or 54.13 percent, while Jones received 1,834 or 45.75 percent of votes.
Steph retains perch in Virginia Senate
In the Senate District 20 race, Republican incumbent William R. "Bill" Steph defeated Democratic rival Victoria A. Luevanos by a wide margin, securing 61.48 percent of the votes cast.
District 20 includes both Eastern Shore counties as well as parts of Virginia Beach and Norfolk City. The Eastern Shore was part of District 6, represented by Democrat Lynwood Lewis Jr., before redistricting. Lewis opted not to seek a new term in the election.
In Accomack, DeSteph got 61.48 percent of votes (6,491) against Luevanos's 38.25 percent (4,038), according to the unofficial results posted Wednesday morning. In Northampton, DeSteph got 51.84 percent or 2,052 votes, while Luevanos received 47.98 percent or 1,899.
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Statewide, Democrats solidify hold on General Assembly
Statewide, Democrats again took control of both houses of the General Assembly, dealing a setback to Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin.
Youngkin had rallied Republicans in the state behind a vision of a red Virginia and total Republican legislature.
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Several local races were also on Tuesday's ballot in Accomack County. In Northampton, a slate of local officials were re-elected unopposed. For detailed results, go to https://enr.elections.virginia.gov/
Accomack County
Early unofficial election results Wednesday showed three incumbent Accomack County Board of Supervisors members losing their re-election bids, while voters also elected a new clerk of the court and school board members.
Board of supervisors
Longtime District 2 supervisor Ron S. Wolff was defeated by Roger L. DeGeorges, 653 votes to 541 votes; District 4 supervisor Paul E.J. Muhly lost to Jeffrey A. Parks Sr. (533-495), while in District 5, Calvin L. Washington Sr. defeated incumbent Harrison W. Phillips III 434-369 votes.
The other six board members were elected unopposed — W.J. "Billy Joe" Tarr (District 1); Vanessa Kay Johnson (District 3); Robert D. Crockett (District 6); Howard J. (Jackie) Phillips (District 7); Donald L. Hart Jr. (District 8); and C. Reneta Major (District 9).
School board
In the contested school board races, incumbents Dr. Ronnie Holden (District 8) and Gary Reese (District 4) lost their re-election bids to Stefanie A. Jackson and P. Glenn Neal Jr., respectively.
Three other incumbents Jesse W. Speidel (District 1), Lisa M. Cropper Johnson (District 3) and Malcolm F. "Pep" White (District 9) survived challenges by Connie C. Burford, Jessica J. Lewis and Alex E. Vargas respectively.
Clerk of the court
Talia Custis Taylor won the election with 58.44 percent votes against Cedrick L. Cooper (41.5 percent).
Special elections
Special elections were also held to fill seats on town councils in Bloxom, Onancock and Wachapreague. The winners:
Bloxom: Rosemary G. Gibbons
Onancock: Brandon J. Brockmeier
Wachapreague: Glenn J. Schagelin
This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: Virginia Shore election 2023: Bloxom wins; 3 Accomack supervisors lose
