Danville area is rare part of Virginia with both Democratic and Republican House primaries in same district

Del. Danny Marshall’s seat has drawn a primary election on both sides of the aisle. 

Marshall announced in February his intention to not seek reelection to the House of Delegates 49th District, citing health concerns. Two Democrats and two Republicans qualified for primary elections in a district made up of the city of Danville and parts of Halifax and Pittsylvania counties. Only one other House district in Virginia — District 89 in Chesapeake and Suffolk — also has both a Democratic and Republican primary this year. It’s also a district where the incumbent is retiring; in that case Del. Baxter Ennis, R-Chesapeake.

In the Danville area district, Jasmine Lipscomb and Dr. Gary Miller are seeking the Democratic nomination while Vanessa Scearce and Madison Whittle are seeking the Republican nomination. The primary election will take place on June 17 but hundreds of voters in the district have already cast their ballots. Democratic voters had submitted 832 early ballots and Republican voters had submitted 944 with just under two weeks to go until the election, according to data compiled by the Virginia Public Access Project. 

Marshall ran unopposed in 2023. President Donald Trump won the district with 53.7% of the vote.

Lipscomb, a single mother of four, a veteran and former Marine, ran for the District 49 seat in 2023 but did not make it onto the ballot. She vowed in December of that year to try again in 2025. She succeeded this year, and will face Miller in the primary. Miller, a cardiologist and member of the Danville City Council, has also run for the district once before, in 2013, he said.

Scearce worked for more than 30 years at credit unions in the Danville area before she pivoted into the nonprofit sector. She has worked as the development director for the Boys and Girls Club of Danville since 2019. Whittle, who sits on the Danville City Council with Miller and owns a property management company, entered into the race in February with the endorsement of Marshall and Del. Eric Phillips, R-Henry County, who represents the adjoining district.

The winner of the two June 17 primaries will go on to face each other in the November election. 

The candidates’ responses to questions posed by Cardinal News are listed in alphabetical order.

Whittle’s campaign did not respond but did fill out the Cardinal News Voter guide questionnaire.

Southwest and Southside Virginia have been hit repeatedly by devastating floods and other weather-related disasters. How would you support communities in your district and in other districts in their efforts to rebuild, and how would you work to ensure these communities remain resilient in the face of future disasters?

Lipscomb, candidate in the Democratic primary: Elect a Democratic president in 2028 [who] believes in and supports a strong [Federal Emergency Management Agency]. [President Donald] Trump is actively trying to destroy FEMA.

Miller, candidate in the Democratic primary: Southside Virginia has seen firsthand the devastation that flooding and extreme weather can cause, damage to homes, small businesses, roads, and entire communities. We need a multi-pronged approach to both recovery and prevention. First, I’ll work to streamline access to state and federal disaster relief funding, ensuring localities can rebuild faster and smarter. Second, I’ll fight for stronger infrastructure investments, improving stormwater systems, reinforcing bridges and roads, and protecting vulnerable housing. Third, I’ll push for resources to support floodplain mapping and community planning so we can prepare, not just react. Resilience isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity.

Scearce, candidate in the Republican primary: Weather related disasters are each unique and bring with them individual challenges. The best help in devastating times comes from neighbors, friends, family members, church groups and civic organizations. God’s Pit Crew (GPC), a disaster relief ministry that responds to natural disasters all over the country, resides in District 49. Collaboration with GPC, and their many ministry partners, would assist with first step efforts to rebuild. I would work to maintain the right of state agencies and non-profits to serve citizens during and after disasters and to not allow FEMA to supplant State control of disaster relief. To ensure quick and efficient recovery, red tape needs to be removed that will help make the rebuilding process easier. The building permit process, for example, could be less stringent during disaster recovery periods, to include abatement of fees required to obtain such permits. Those affected by weather-related disasters, working with their communities, should discuss the nuts and bolts of recovery issues experienced and develop a local disaster recovery plan to keep them resilient.

What ideas do you have to bring economic prosperity to the district?

Lipscomb: Elect a strong [Democratic] House majority that will give the new [Democratic] Governor strong community oriented legislation to sign, centering the benefit of the regular citizens, rather than the benefit of corporate interests.

Miller: As a longtime member of Danville City Council, I helped recruit new industries, build our workforce pipeline, and revitalize downtown. We can bring that momentum to the entire district. I’ll champion job training programs in public schools and community colleges, expand broadband access, and support small business growth through targeted grants and incentives. Southside doesn’t want handouts, we want smart investments that empower us to compete in the 21st Century economy.

Scearce: My ideas to bring economic prosperity to the area include:

1. Use of the Commonwealth’s Development Opportunity Fund to incentivize businesses to locate to District 49.
2. Work with the Southern Virginia Regional Alliance to promote the Mega Park at Berry Hill, and
3. Make funding for the Blue Ridge Innovation Corridor (BRIC) a priority.

Access to health care in Southside Virginia has been a sticking point for a lot of voters. If elected, how will you improve access to health care, not only in your district but for the entire region?

Lipscomb: Again, we need to elect a Democratic President who will carry on the legacy of Franklin Roosevelt, and not try to gut Medicare and Medicaid, as Trump is doing. Do billionaires really need more tax cuts? 

Miller: I’ve spent 36 years as a cardiologist in Southside Virginia. I’ve seen the life-or-death consequences of rural hospital closures and unaffordable care. I’ll fight to protect Medicaid, expand mental health services, and boost funding for rural hospitals and clinics. I’ll also push for medical loan forgiveness for providers who serve in rural communities. Everyone, no matter where they live, deserves access to quality, affordable care. I will also push for loan forgiveness for teachers.

Scearce: Access to health care can be improved by allowing other health care providers to gain market share in District 49 and the entire region. I will support legislation that would expand and improve Multiple Employer Healthcare Arrangements (MEWAs). In addition, I support programs to ensure affordable access to pharmaceutical services that also support locally owned pharmacies.

What do you think are some of the biggest issues facing voters in District 49, and how would you address them?

Lipscomb: The biggest challenge in District 49 is economic disparity. This disparity is not specifically racial, but there is a racial element. Some of this is evident in housing, especially since the casino has come in. Some folks who have been homeowners for a long time can no longer afford their homes. Some of this is evident in something as simple as our water, this is not a problem specific to the district, as we can see that Richmond is going through their own problems with water as well.

As a member of the legislature, you can propose solutions, but you have to get support from the other members and the Governor. With this in mind I believe the greatest purpose I can serve for the House District 49 communities, to include Danville, South Boston, Chatham, and the other surrounding areas, is to be a strong advocate for their needs and impress upon the other members the importance of this region of the commonwealth.

Miller: Our voters are concerned about jobs, healthcare, and schools. They’re also worried about the loss of trust in the government. I’ll bring my experience as a doctor and councilman to fight for what matters most: good-paying jobs through workforce investment, strong public schools with modern resources, and healthcare that meets the needs of our communities. And I’ll lead with integrity, focusing on service, not politics.

Scearce: The biggest issues facing the voters in District 49 include:

1. Workforce Development to prepare future generations to fill the jobs and support the growth in our region. I will work with the Institute of Advanced Learning and Research and the Governor’s office to maintain funding for GO TEC and collaborate with Danville Community College and local school systems to offer career training.
2. The high costs that are associated with owning and operating a small business. Small businesses are the backbone of our local communities. I will support efforts to reduce regulations and the cost of compliance on small businesses, and therefore, reduce prices to citizens.
3. The rising cost of living. I will support changes that put money back into the pockets of citizens, for example, elimination of the car tax in Virginia and approval of the increase of the Child Tax Credit to support working families with children.

What are the first three bills you plan to introduce in the 2026 session, if elected?

Lipscomb: 

1. Clean water for Danville and South Boston
2. Danville and South Boston Women’s Health Clinic
3. Danville and South Boston Veteran’s Health Clinic

Miller:

1. Rural Healthcare Access Act — Funding for rural hospitals, expanded mental health services, and provider incentives to practice in underserved areas.
2. Career Ready Schools Act — Career and technical education pathways starting in middle school, with resources for community colleges to partner with local employers.
3. Local Resilience and Infrastructure Fund — Grants for flood mitigation, stormwater upgrades, and resilient infrastructure in rural and low-income communities.

Scearce: The bills that I plan to introduce in 2026, and in all terms that I serve, will be based on conversations with citizens of District 49. My immediate goal, upon winning the primary, will be to schedule meetings with citizens (private and business sector) to get input regarding the formation of bills that would support a positive impact for the district. I plan to retire from my current full-time job and make serving District 49 my new full-time job, therefore, I will be 100% focused on conservative community service to the citizens.