Democrat Jennifer Wexton Defeats GOP’s Barbara Comstock in Virginia

Democrat Jennifer Wexton is projected to defeat Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-VA) in Virginia’s 10th congressional district, according to NBC News.

Wexton, a state senator, is ahead of Comstock 57.9 percent to 42.1 percent with 56 percent of the votes counted.

The race was one of the most closely watched in the country, because Comstock had been considered one of the most vulnerable incumbents in the country. Comstock won the northern Virginia district in 2016 with 53 percent of the vote, but at the presidential level, Democrat Hillary Clinton carried the district by 10 points. Last year, Democrat Ralph Northam carried the district by 13 points in Virginia’s gubernatorial election.

As a result, lots of Democrats filed to take on Comstock. Six will be on the ballot, and four of the six had raised more than $850,000, according to Federal Election Commission reports.

Wexton received the endorsement of Gov. Northam and had emphasized her experience as a prosecutor and as the only elected official in the race.

“Most people I talk to do not believe the U.S. Congress should be an entry-level position,” Wexton said in a recent interview.

Previously, Wexton made no apologies for being willing to compromise and work with Republicans even if it means settling for less than you’d prefer.

She said primary voters “want someone who’s going to stand up to divisive politics from the other side, but they still want someone who will work with the other side and is not going to vilify the other side.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.