Despite unofficial vote counts showing him within the margin necessary to request a recount, Levar Stoney accepted defeat in Virginia’s Democratic lieutenant governor primary Wednesday.
In a statement released Wednesday morning, Richmond’s former mayor conceded the race and called on his supporters to rally behind state Sen. Ghazala Hashmi (D–Chesterfield), who claimed victory Tuesday night while holding a lead of just over 3,500 votes — or 0.8% — over Stoney.
In a statement, Stoney said he was proud of his campaign and of Virginians who supported his efforts. Stoney raised the most money in the six-person lieutenant governor campaign, with over $2 million in contributions, according to the Virginia Public Access Project.
“Unfortunately, in this primary we came up a little short. But the fight for a fair Virginia continues,” Stoney said.
Stoney and Hashmi were neck and neck all night as Tuesday’s primary results came in. At his watch party at Black Olive Pizzeria in Monroe Ward, Stoney did not concede — though Hashmi had already declared victory by 10 p.m.
Stoney thanked his campaign team and supporters, including former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe: “Although we may not know the answers tonight, I'm here to tell you all: No. 1, thank you. No. 2, the fight doesn't end here.”
As of 1 a.m., with all precincts reporting, Hashmi was leading with about 27.4% of the vote compared to Stoney’s 26.6%. (All election results are unofficial until certified.) The Associated Press called the race for Hashmi just before 11 a.m. Wednesday.
In recent months, Stoney has faced criticism over multiple failures at Richmond’s main water treatment plant — even though the issues occurred after he left office. In a May interview with VPM News, Stoney said he prioritized investments at the city’s 100-year-old plant during his eight-year term, spending over $400 million.
Out of the roughly 161,000 registered Richmond voters, 28,321 voted in the primary, according to the Virginia Department of Elections. Hashmi held an overwhelming lead in the city, with 58% of city votes compared to Stoney’s 21%.
Hashmi will face Republican John Reid, a former conservative talk radio host, in the general election this November.
