State Sen. John McGuire is heading to Washington, D.C., after defeating his Democratic opponent, Gloria Witt, in the race for Virginia’s 5th Congressional District.
The Associated Press called the race for McGuire just before 11 p.m. Tuesday, though he had already declared himself “congressman-elect” around 9 p.m. at his watch party in Rice. McGuire won over 57% of the vote as of Wednesday morning, according to unofficial results from the Virginia Department of Elections.
“People ask me: What caucus will you join?” he said to reporters at the party. “I am going to join the 5th Congressional District caucus.”
Earlier Tuesday night, Witt said at her watch party in Madison Heights that she felt hopeful for a win. Despite the loss, she told reporters she would continue her work in activism; Witt is the chair of the Amherst County NAACP.
“Social activism is in my DNA,” she said.
In the June Republican primary, McGuire knocked off U.S. Rep. Bob Good, the former House Freedom Caucus chair, by a razor-thin margin that was later confirmed in a recount.
Former President Donald Trump, who was declared the winner of the presidential election Wednesday morning, threw his support behind McGuire after Good endorsed one of Trump’s Republican primary opponents, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
The economy and cost of living were key issues for voters in the district, which has not elected a Democrat since Tom Perriello in 2008.
“The costs of groceries and other items,” said Marcia McBratney, of Lynchburg. “I’m able to afford things. But I don’t know how other people can.”
Rayschnette Taylor, also of Lynchburg, cited the economy as her top issue as well, but added: “I’m also hoping that, whoever wins, they look at the American people as a whole.”
McGuire cast himself Tuesday as a figure who could bring the district together.
“It really is amazing what you can do when you turn your differences aside,” he said.
