Updated current title of one candidate, Nov. 14.
A former party chair, a county chair, a veteran, a former legislator and a business owner have announced their plans to seek the seat for Virginia’s 10th Senate District, the district state Sen. John McGuire will be vacating in January following his election to Congress.
The solidly Republican district has drawn GOP candidates Jean Gannon, the former chair of the Powhatan County Republican Committee; Shayne Snavely, a U.S. Army veteran; Amanda Chase, a former state senator; Duane Adams, the chair of the Louisa County Board of Supervisors; and Luther Cifers, the owner of YakAttack, into the race so far.
More candidates could still enter the fray, but as of Tuesday, the race appeared to be between Republicans. No Democrats have publicly announced their candidacy, so far.
When and how will the nomination and the special election occur?
The date of the special election has yet to be set by the Democratic Party, the state Senate’s majority party, and the method of nominating the Republican candidate — either through a firehouse primary, mass meeting or convention — has yet to be determined by the Republican Party of Virginia’s Legislative District Committee. The committee is expected to meet next week.
Senate Democratic leaders have not responded to questions regarding when the 10th District special election will take place.
Senate President Pro tempore Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, announced the date of a special election for the 32nd Senate District on Monday. The 32nd District seat will be vacated in January by state Sen. Suhas Subramanyam, D-Loudoun County, who was elected to Congress. The special election for that race will take place Jan. 7.
“The Governor strongly believes all Virginians should be represented during the legislative session and trusts that Democratic leadership will call those elections in time to ensure all Virginians are represented,” Christian Martinez, spokesperson for Gov. Glenn Youngkin, said when asked about the upcoming special election.
10th District candidate debate coming up
The five candidates who have declared so far for the 10th District have been invited to take part in a debate that is scheduled for Nov. 22 in Cumberland County.
The debate, hosted by the Cumberland County Republican Committee, will be held at 7 p.m. at the Spruceberry Farm Event Center.
Doors will open for general admission at 6:45 p.m., and a $5 donation is requested but not required. The public is invited to attend a cocktail social and dinner with the candidates, for a fee, at 5 p.m.
