WMAL Interview - KIRK COX - 01.05.18

7:05 AM -  INTERVIEW -- Virginia House of Delegates Speaker-designee KIRK COX (R-Colonial Heights)

Republican wins drawing to decide Virginia House race, keeping GOP in charge. Two narrow slips of paper — one bearing the name of a Democrat and the other the name of a Republican — were rolled up by Virginia election officials Thursday, inserted into film canisters and dropped into a cobalt-and-white stoneware bowl. Dozens of officials, reporters and onlookers looked on silently as officials performed a bizarre lottery in Richmond to pick the winner of a closely contested House of Delegates district race — one that could upset Republicans’ long-held majority and leave the chamber evenly split between the two parties. Sitting in the front row, Democratic candidate Shelly Simonds clasped her husband’s and daughter’s hands as officials reached into the bowl and plucked the canisters out, one by one. “The winner of House District 94 is David Yancey,” declared the chairman of the state election board, James Alcorn, smiling tightly after unfurling the first piece of paper.

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Delegate David Yancey certified as winner in HD 94

Delegate David Yancey won the draw Thursday to determine the winner of the election in House District 94, and was immediately certified by the State Board of Elections. Yancey’s certification comes just six days before the start of the 2018 General Assembly session

“The past few weeks have been unprecedented to say the least, but the process laid out in state law worked,” said Speaker-designee Kirk Cox (R-Colonial Heights). “Now, it’s time to get to work. We are six short days from the start of the General Assembly session and the people of the 94th House District deserve representation on opening day. Delegate David Yancey has and will continue to serve the people of the 94th District with distinction.”

“This race could not have been any closer and when I return to the House of Delegates I want all residents of Newport News to know I am ready to serve as their Delegate and look forward to hearing how I can improve the lives of all,” said Delegate David Yancey (R- Newport News). “Shelly Simonds ran a great campaign and I thank her for her service on the Newport News School Board. I look forward to her continued involvement in issues that matter to the people of the 94th. The election is behind us, the outcome is clear, and my responsibility now is to begin the work I was re-elected to do."

“In a letter written Wednesday, Shelly Simonds indicated she would not pursue an additional recount or further legal action in this race, and we sincerely hope she sticks to her word,” said House Majority Leader Todd Gilbert (R-Shenandoah). “An additional recount, while clearly allowed by law, would deny the people of the 94th District representation and make it more difficult for the House to organize smoothly. This was a historic election, but now it’s time to begin the work of governing.”