PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va.—It looks like Rep. Robert J. Wittman has won the right to run again in the 1st Congressional District. Unofficial results from the Virginia State Board of Elections showed that Wittman trounced his opponent, Catherine T. Crabill, in Tuesday's Republican primary.
The sprawling district stretches from Hampton Roads to southern Prince William County. And with all of the district's 217 precincts reporting, Wittman had taken 88 percent of the vote, besting Crabill, who aligned herself with the Tea Party.
The incumbent said he knew the discussion was going to be about dissatisfaction with Washington, but he worried little about the Tea Party challenge.
"We've only been here for two years," Wittman said in a phone interview Tuesday night. "We're part of the effort to change Washington, and I think we plugged in with folks, and they were thoughtful about the things we have done, how we have voted and how we have stood up for them back home."
Wittman, who voted against the health care bill, the stimulus package and the bank bailout, said his record will be his best recommendation for the general election.
"I will also run on my record, which clearly demonstrates the vast differences between my position on the issues and those of the majority party, who have manned the store during this period of out-of- control government spending, record deficits and soaring unemployment," said Wittman, who was first elected to the seat in a 2007 special election to replace the late Jo Ann Davis.
He was re-elected to his first full term in 2008, and he said he will continue to run on the issues.
"I think it's extraordinarily important that the race be about the issues and we focus on those things I think folks want to know—exactly where each candidate stands on the issue," Wittman said. "That's what it needs to be about."
Wittman's resume includes terms on the Montross Town Council and the Westmoreland County Board of Supervisors. He also served for a year in the Virginia House of Delegates.
Wittman commutes an hour and 45 minutes every day from Washington to his home in Montross and prides himself on keeping somewhat apart from the inside-the-Beltway crowd.
He said as he drives past the homes of people he's known all of his life, he asks himself daily if he would be able to adequately explain his actions in Congress.
"I go home every day, so it keeps me grounded," said the 51-year-old, who holds a doctorate from Virginia Commonwealth University.
If he is elected in November, he will continue to commute.
"Washington can be 30 square miles of fantasy land surrounded by reality. I like to get home to reality each night," he said.
Wittman will face Krystal Ball, a 28-year-old political newcomer who was named the Democratic nominee in May.
Ball, a certified public accountant, owns an educational software design company with her husband.
Overall voter turnout Tuesday was about 7 percent, according to the Board of Elections website.
Prince William residents voted 82 percent for Wittman. Voter turnout in the county was 2 percent.
