Democrats Win Several Key House Races

Democrats won several key House of Delegates races in Northern Virginia tonight, but it was too early this evening to tell whether the Republican Party would lose seats statewide.

In a closely watched race for an open seat in the 37th District, Democrat David L. Bulova, son of Fairfax County Supervisor Sharon S. Bulova, defeated former Fairfax City mayor John Mason (R). Both parties made a priority of winning the seat, which is being vacated by Del. J. Chapman Petersen (D).

In another open seat, Democrat C. Chuck Caputo of Oak Hill beat GOP youth minister Chris S. Craddock of Fairfax in the 67th District of western Fairfax and eastern Loudoun counties.

In a Prince William County race that generated more than $1 million in fundraising, county Supervisor Hilda M. Barg (D) had an early lead against Del. Jeffrey M. Frederick (R). Barg and Frederick battled each other with aggressive, glossy mailings.

Democrat Dave W. Marsden of Burke defeated Republican anti-tax candidate Michael J. Golden of Fairfax in the 41st District race to replace Del. James H. Dillard II (R-Fairfax). Meanwhile, at least one Northern Virginia Republican won in early, unofficial returns. Del. David B. Albo (Fairfax) beat Democrat Gregory A. Werkheiser in a hard-fought campaign in the Springfield area.

Outside Northern Virginia, Del. Thomas D. Gear (R) defeated independent Randy A. Gilliland in a closely watched race in the Hampton area. In southwest Virginia, Del. W.B. "Benny" Keister (D-Pulaski) lost to Republican Anne B. Crockett-Stark.

Democrats, who picked up three seats in the 2003 election, set an ambitious goal of snaring three more. If Democrats can win a few races, they will gain a seat on key House committees. The House has 38 Democrats and two independents.

Republicans are trying to shore up their 60-seat majority. They have focused their efforts on winning a seat from the Northern Neck and in southwest Virginia while sustaining a Democratic charge in Northern Virginia.

Both parties have said about eight races across the state are closely contested, six of them in Northern Virginia.

Although the 52nd District of Prince William has long been a Republican stronghold for state offices, Barg has been entrenched as supervisor, and the Democratic presidential ticket won there last year.

Merrill Hannis, 36, said she backed a straight Republican ticket, voting mainly to support Frederick. "I'm happy with the job he's done. I was happy that he voted against the big tax increase," she said, referring to the 2004 state budget. "I like his stance on immigration, and I'm also pro-life," said Hannis, a stay-at-home mother.

Barbara Pinson, 68, said she voted a straight Democratic ticket. The retired software engineer said she always voted Republican in the past but has grown increasingly dissatisfied with transportation spending. "The infrastructure is not keeping up with the building," she said. "I'd also like to see more money spent on schools.