By Maya Lora
Ronnie Campbell won his Republican nomination by only one vote in a November firehouse primary, but he is still confident voters will come out to support his campaign.
Campbell, who is chairman of the Rockbridge County Board of Supervisors, is running against Democrat Christian Worth. Both candidates are hoping to fill the seat vacated by Del. Ben Cline (R-24th Dist.), who in November was elected to represent the 6th Congressional District. Campbell’s victory is essential for Republicans to keep their one-vote majority in the House.
Republicans lost more that 27 seats in Congress in the Nov. 6 midterm election, giving Democrats a firm majority there. Campbell dismissed that as a normal, historical power shift because people usually want to see change halfway through a President’s term. But not here, he said.
He also spoke against Medicaid expansion in Virginia, which was approved this year over Republic objections. Campbell said he wants to find alternative healthcare solutions without abandoning people with preexisting conditions.
The special election will be held Dec. 18. All regular polling stations will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Absentee ballot applications are due Dec. 11 and voters can absentee vote in person at their local registrar through Dec. 15.