Democrats to Pick Candidate for AG-elect Herring’s Senate Seat Saturday

Democrats are moving quickly to nominate a replacement for Sen. Mark Herring’s (D-33) seat in the General Assembly, with plans for a firehouse primary this Saturday, Nov. 23. 

A firehouse primary is also known as an “unassembled caucus.”

Leesburg attorney Jennifer Wexton and Herndon Town Councilwoman Sheila Olem will vie for the nomination.

According to the Virginia State Board of Elections, Herring received just 164 more votes than Sen. Mark Obenshain (R-26), out of more than 2.2 million votes cast. The narrow difference means a recount will likely take place.

Wexton, who lost a 2011 bid for Loudoun Commonwealth’s Attorney, formerly worked as a prosecutor in Loudoun. 

Olem has been very active in Herndon, where she served on the Board of Zoning Appeals for roughly seven years, and is currently serving in her second term on the Town Council. was first elected to the council in 2010.

To vote in the primary, participants must be registered to vote, must sign a certificate, must declare themselves a Democrat and must live in the 33rd Senate District.

Any voters who consider themselves Democrats can vote in the primary, but participants will be asked to sign a pledge to support the winner in the special election. In this case, a special election will be held to choose Herring successor.

Voting will take place at three following locations Nov. 23:

• Herndon Community Center, Meeting Room 3
  814 Ferndale Avenue, Herndon, VA 20170
  From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Cascades Library, Conference Room B
  21030 Whitfield Place, Potomac Falls, VA 20165
  From 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• Rust Library, Group Study Room
  380 Old Waterford Road NW, Leesburg, VA 20176
  From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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