2013 Virginia Attorney General election
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Herring: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% >90% Obenshain: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% >90% Tie: 50% | |||||||||||||||||
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| Elections in Virginia |
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The 2013 Virginia Attorney General election took place on November 5, 2013, to elect the
2013 gubernatorial election
.
On May 18, 2013, a
Republican state convention in Richmond nominated State Senator Mark Obenshain over State Delegate Rob Bell.[1] The Democratic primary on June 11, 2013, was won by State Senator Mark Herring, who defeated former Assistant United States Attorney Justin Fairfax.[2]
While the statewide elections for governor and lieutenant governor garnered more national attention, the race for attorney general was the most competitive.[3] Obenshain had an election night lead of 1,200 votes. In the following days, as provisional ballots were counted, Herring narrowed the lead and ultimately overtook him.[4] On November 25, the Virginia State Board of Elections certified the results and Herring was declared the winner by 1,103,777 votes to 1,103,612 – a difference of 165 votes out of more than 2.2 million cast, or 0.007%.[5][6][7]
After the certification, Obenshain requested a recount,[8] which began on December 16.[9] Obenshain conceded the election on December 18, and later that day, the recount ended with Herring winning by 907 votes, or 0.04%.[10] Democrats held the Attorney General's office for the first time since 1994, and with Herring's victory, Democrats held all five statewide offices – including both U.S. Senate seats – for the first time since 1970.
Republican nomination
Candidates
Nominated at convention
- Mark Obenshain, state senator[11]
Defeated at convention
Withdrew
- John Frey, Fairfax County Clerk of the Circuit Court[13]
Democratic primary
Candidates
Declared
- Justin Fairfax, former Assistant United States Attorney[14]
- Mark Herring, state senator[12][2]
Withdrew
- Michael Signer, attorney and candidate for lieutenant governor in 2009[15]
Declined
- Minority Leader of the Virginia House of Delegates[16]
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Justin Fairfax |
Mark Herring |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling[17] | May 24–26, 2013 | 322 | ± 5.5% | 19% | 22% | — | 59% |
Results
Herring
- Herring—80–90%
- Herring—70–80%
- Herring—60–70%
- Herring—50–60%
Tie
- Tie
Fairfax
- Fairfax—50–60%
- Fairfax—60–70%
- Fairfax—70–80%
- Fairfax—80–90%
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Mark Herring | 72,861 | 51.66% | ||
| Democratic | Justin Fairfax | 68,177 | 48.34% | ||
| Majority | 4,684 | 3.32% | |||
| Turnout | 141,038 | ||||
General election
Endorsements
Mark Herring (D)
Current and former statewide politicians
Newspapers
Organizations
- Virginia Police Benevolent Association[21]
Mark Obenshain (R)
Elected Officials
- Bill Chase, Culpeper County Supervisor[22]
- Marty Williams, former Republican state senator[23]
Others
- John Brownlee, former United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia and 2009 candidate for the Republican nomination for Attorney General[24]
Newspapers
Organizations
- Virginia Fraternal Order of Police[27]
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
Sabato's Crystal Ball[28]
|
Lean D (flip) | October 24, 2013 |
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Mark Obenshain (R) |
Mark Herring (D) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling[29] | November 2–3, 2013 | 870 | ± 3.3% | 45% | 47% | — | 8% |
| Christopher Newport University[30] | October 25–30, 2013 | 1,038 | ± 3% | 45% | 43% | — | 12% |
| Public Policy Polling[31] | October 26–27, 2013 | 709 EV | ± 3.6% | 42% | 54% | — | 3% |
| Hampton University[32] | October 24, 26–27, 2013 | 800 | ± 2.9% | 45% | 39% | — | 16% |
| October 24–27, 2013 | 762 | ± 4.5% | 46% | 49% | — | 4% | |
| Roanoke College[34] | October 21–27, 2013 | 838 | ± 3.4% | 35% | 46% | — | 20% |
| Christopher Newport University[35] | October 8–13, 2013 | 753 | ± 3.6% | 46% | 45% | — | 9% |
| Watson Center[36] | October 1–6, 2013 | 886 | ± 3.1% | 42% | 45% | — | 14% |
| Roanoke College[37] | September 30–October 5, 2013 | 1,046 | ± 3% | 38% | 35% | — | 26% |
| Hampton University[38] | September 25–29, 2013 | 800 | ± 2.9% | 41% | 37% | — | 23% |
| University of Mary Washington[39] | September 25–29, 2013 | 559 | ± 4.7% | 42% | 36% | 6% | 16% |
| September 19–22, 2013 | 562 | ± 5% | 42% | 45% | — | 14% | |
| Conquest Communications[41] | September 19, 2013 | 400 | ±5% | 35.8% | 24.5% | — | 39.8% |
| NBC/Marist[42] | September 17–19, 2013 | 546 | ± 3% | 34% | 39% | — | 26% |
| Roanoke College[43] | September 9–15, 2013 | 874 | ± 3.3% | 31% | 33% | — | 34% |
| Public Policy Polling[44] | July 11–14, 2013 | 601 | ± 4% | 36% | 38% | — | 25% |
| Roanoke College[45] | July 8–14, 2013 | 525 | ± 4.3% | 33% | 29% | — | 38% |
| Public Policy Polling[17] | May 24–26, 2013 | 672 | ± 3.8% | 32% | 33% | — | 34% |
Hypothetical polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Mark Obenshain (R) |
Justin Fairfax (D) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling[17] | May 24–26, 2013 | 672 | ± 3.8% | 32% | 30% | — | 38% |
Initial results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Mark Herring | 1,103,777 | 49.89% | +7.60% | |
| Republican | Mark Obenshain | 1,103,612 | 49.88% | −7.63% | |
| Write-in | 4,892 | 0.22% | +0.13% | ||
| Majority | 165 | 0.01% | |||
| Turnout | 2,212,281 | ||||
| Democratic gain from Republican | Swing | ||||
Recount
It was widely reported that a recount was expected after the results were certified on November 25, 2013. According to the Virginia Board of Elections rules, as updated for the November 2013 election: "there are no automatic recounts. Only an apparent losing candidate can ask for a recount, and only if the difference between the apparent winning candidate and that apparent losing candidates is not more than one percent (1%) of the total votes cast for those two candidates."2005 race, Bob McDonnell won by 360 votes, with the result certified in December.[47]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Mark Herring | 1,105,045 | 49.91% | +7.62% | |
| Republican | Mark Obenshain | 1,104,138 | 49.87% | −7.64% | |
| Write-in | 4,892 | 0.22% | +0.13% | ||
| Majority | 907 | 0.04% | |||
| Turnout | 2,214,075 | ||||
| Democratic gain from Republican | Swing | ||||
By congressional district
Despite losing the state, Obenshain won 7 of 11 congressional districts, while Herring won 4, including one held by a Republican.[48]
| District | Obenshain | Herring | Representative |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 56% | 44% | Rob Wittman |
| 2nd | 52% | 48% | Scott Rigell |
| 3rd | 23% | 77% | Robert C. Scott |
| 4th | 53% | 47% | Randy Forbes |
| 5th | 57% | 43% | Robert Hurt |
| 6th | 64% | 36% | Bob Goodlatte |
| 7th | 58% | 42% | Eric Cantor |
| 8th | 29% | 71% | Jim Moran |
| 9th | 67% | 33% | Morgan Griffith |
| 10th | 49.999% | 50.001% | Frank Wolf |
| 11th | 37% | 63% | Gerry Connolly |
See also
- 2013 Virginia elections
- 2013 Virginia gubernatorial election
- 2013 Virginia lieutenant gubernatorial election
- 2013 United States gubernatorial elections
References
- ^ Schmidt, Markus; Nolan, Jim (May 18, 2013). "Virginia GOP convention: Obenshain nominee for AG". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved May 18, 2013.
- ^ a b Schmidt, Markus (June 12, 2013). "Northam, Herring complete Democratic ticket". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved June 12, 2013.
- ^ "Virginia Attorney General race: Candidates appoint transition teams in too close to call election". wjla.com. November 14, 2013. Retrieved November 14, 2013.
- ^ Brett logiurato (November 13, 2013). "The Most Exciting Election In America Is Coming Down To The Wire". Business Insider. Retrieved November 13, 2013.
- ^ a b c "Virginia Board of Elections - Election Night Results". November 7, 2013. Archived from the original on November 9, 2013. Retrieved November 7, 2013.
- ^ Vozzella, Laura (November 25, 2013). "Herring wins Virginia attorney general race, elections board announces". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 25, 2013.
- ^ Rogers, Alex (November 13, 2013). "With 164 Vote Attorney General Victory, Virginia Democrats Sweep State". Time Magazine. Swampland. Retrieved November 12, 2013.
- ^ "Obenshain to request recount in attorney general race". Richmond Times-Dispatch. November 26, 2013. Retrieved November 27, 2013.
- ^ "Virginia AG race recount slated for week of Dec. 16 as campaigns spar in court over rules". The Washington Post. December 4, 2013. Retrieved December 5, 2013.
- ^ a b Ress, Dave (December 19, 2013). "It's official: Recount results show 907 vote margin for Herring". Daily Press. Archived from the original on January 3, 2014. Retrieved January 2, 2014.
- ^ Nolan, Jim (December 3, 2011). "Obenshain announces interest in attorney general seat". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved October 21, 2012.
- ^ a b Kumar, Anita (July 24, 2012). "Sen. Mark Herring to run for attorney general in 2013". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 24, 2012.
- ^ "Republican John Frey withdrawing from Virginia's attorney general race". The Washington Post. November 27, 2012. Retrieved November 28, 2012.[dead link]
- ^ Wilson, Todd Allen (September 14, 2012). "3rd Dem enters 2013 A.G. race". The Daily Press. Retrieved October 21, 2012.
- ^ Walker, Julian (November 15, 2012). "Signer (D) declines AG bid, endorses Herring". The Virginian-Pilot. Retrieved November 28, 2012.
- ^ Sluss, Michael (December 3, 2012). "Former Del. Ward Armstrong won't run statewide in 2013". The Roanoke Times. Retrieved December 23, 2012.
- ^ a b c Public Policy Polling
- ^ "Race details at". Ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
- ^ Herring for attorney general The Virginian Pilot September 10, 2013
- ^ Virginia endorsements: Ralph Northam and Mark Herring The Washington Post October 15, 2013
- ^ "The Virginia Police Benevolent Association announces endorsement of Mark Herring for Attorney General". Sspba.org. August 30, 2013. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
- ^ Chase endorses Obenshain Star-Exponent October 5, 2013
- ^ Mark Obenshain snags endorsement of former Newport News senator Marty Williams Daily Press September 10, 2013
- ^ Obenshain endorsed by former AG candidate PilotOnline.com February 15, 2013
- ^ Editorial: Obenshain for AG Richmond Times-Dispatch October 20, 2013
- ^ For attorney general: Obenshain The Richmond Times October 30, 2013
- ^ Obenshain: The experience to solve problems Richmond Times-Dispatch October 24, 2013
- ^ "Larry J. Sabato's Crystal Ball » RATINGS CHANGE: A DEMOCRATIC TIDE IN VIRGINIA". centerforpolitics.org.
- ^ Public Policy Polling
- ^ Christopher Newport University
- ^ Public Policy Polling
- ^ Hampton University
- ^ Washington Post/Abt SRBI
- ^ Roanoke College
- ^ Christopher Newport University
- ^ Watson Center
- ^ Roanoke College
- ^ Hampton University
- ^ University of Mary Washington
- ^ Washington Post/Abt SRBI
- ^ Conquest Communications
- ^ NBC/Marist
- ^ Roanoke College
- ^ Public Policy Polling
- ^ Roanoke College
- ^ "Commonwealth of Virginia State Board of Elections. Virginia Election Recounts and Contests -- The Basics" (PDF). November 7, 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 3, 2013. Retrieved November 15, 2013.
- ^ "Herring, Obenshain may face recount in Va. AG's race; December outcome likely". The Washington Post. November 6, 2013. Retrieved November 8, 2013.
- ^ "Daily Kos Elections' statewide election results by congressional and legislative districts". Daily Kos. Retrieved July 13, 2024.