Moderates Defeated In Va. Primary

"There was a backlash among Democratic voters to the involvement of Republicans in Hall's campaign," Connolly said. "I think that had a very strong impact on primary voters. You want to run as a Republican and talk to the congressman, be our guest. But to actually seek his counsel was clearly unwelcome."

Smyth is virtually assured election in the fall; there is no Republican challenger.

Also in Fairfax, newcomer Pat S. Herrity, the son of the late longtime board chairman John S. "Jack" Herrity, won the Republican primary to replace retiring Springfield Supervisor Elaine N. McConnell. George L. Barker won the Democratic primary to represent the 39th Senate District; and Margaret G. Vanderhye and Rex A. Simmons each won Democratic primaries for Fairfax-based House of Delegates seats.

Elsewhere in the region, Arlington voters overwhelmingly chose incumbent Treasurer Francis X. O'Leary. In Loudoun, Republican Jill Holtzman Vogel won the Republican primary to replace retiring state Sen. H. Russell Potts (R-Winchester), beating restaurateur Mark D. Tate, who was recently indicted on charges of campaign finance fraud and perjury. And in Prince William, two incumbent Republicans, Sheriff Glendel Hill and Supervisor Maureen S. Caddigan, overwhelmingly won their primaries. Newcomer Frank J. Principi won a Democratic primary for supervisor.

The primary campaign season was subdued this year, with Republican and Democratic candidates for the Senate and House of Delegates making late appeals to voters in the final days of the campaign. But the primary will set the stage for an intense fall campaign for the seats of all 140 delegates and senators.

Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William voters also will pick county supervisors and other local officials Nov. 6.

Holtzman Vogel will face Democrat Karen Schultz and independent Donald Marro in the fall.

Potts said he thinks Holtzman Vogel is too far right for Virginia. She is "to the right of Attila the Hun and way out of the mainstream," said Potts, who has counted himself among a small handful of moderate Republicans who often partnered with Democratic governors to raise taxes and fund education.

As a result, the outcome of the race to replace Potts and some other key contests will determine control of the General Assembly -- and not merely whether it is governed by Democrats or Republicans, but whether it is controlled by moderates or conservatives.