Rob Wittman wins re-election

The race in the 1st congressional district was called for Republican incumbent Rob Wittman.

Wittman had about 58 percent of the vote at 9:45 p.m.

In the 1st district, Democrat Adam Cook has about 39 percent, while independent Gail Parker has 2 percent.

Since 2007, Wittman has represented the district, which includes much of the Fredericksburg area. He’s a consistent conservative vote, favoring a repeal of the federal health care law and also co-sponsoring the federal “personhood” bill. He said he hopes now lawmakers can reach an agreement to avert the sequestration cuts—federal budget cuts—before they go into effect in January. He says the government needs “thoughful policies.”

“I’m hopeful that folks there will find things they have in common and try to get things done,” Wittman said by phone from a celebration party at a restaurant in Tappahannock.

It was a long-shot race for first-time candidate Cook, an attorney and former active-duty military member who is now a major in the Air Force Reserves.

He campaigned heavily on veterans issues, accusing Wittman of not doing enough for veterans, which are heavily represented in the district. Cook spent the evening with the Stafford Democratic Party at Pancho Villa’s off U.S. 17.

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