Delegate Bowling

With 100% of precincts reporting, Democrat Dan Bowling has defeated Republican Shea Cook and Independents Jerry Elkins and Brian Wright by a vote of 60%-28%-9%-2%.

Also interesting, there was a 25% voter turnout, which is actually pretty good for a special election. The UMWA really can turn them out.

Breaking it down, Bowling won Buchanan County with 57%, Tazewell County with 61%, and Russell County with 71%. I would point out that the reason he "only" got 57% in Buchanan County is due to the 18% that Elkins carried.

This seat is one of the Democrats' safest. I had been guessing all along that Bowling would win by 15% or so. I underguessed it quite a bit. But that's fine.

Very probably, Bowling will be able to hold this seat as long as he wants.

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Also...
I think it's pretty nifty Chap Petersen made his way down this way to campaign for Bowling. Let's add some things up:
1-Outgoing Delegate from Northern Virginia
2-Received 22% in 2005 LG primary
3-37 years old
4-Raising name ID in SWVA
5-Gaining support among new members of the House of Delegates
When we add 1+2+3+4+5, that equals a future run for statewide office. LG? AG? Governor? Senator 2008?

We'll see.

-Neal