House Of Delegates 21 Primary Election Results: Gorham Is Projected Winner

GAINESVILLE, VA — With all precincts reporting votes, Greg Gorham is the projected winner of the Republican nomination in a competitive House of Delegates race. The Associated Press called the race at 8:10 p.m. Tuesday for Gorham.

Voters in part of western Prince William County cast ballots in a Republican primary election on Tuesday, deciding who will be on the ballot in the Virginia House District 21. With all 17 precincts reporting votes, Gorham led with 66.35 percent, followed by Sahar Smith with 27.02 percent and Xanthe Larsen with 6.63 percent, according to unofficial results.

The current representative for the district is Democratic Del. Josh Thomas, who is running for re-election.

According to the Virginia Public Access Project, the 21st House District is labeled as a competitive district. In November, all 100 House of Delegates seats will be up for election, along with the Virginia governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general. Some localities will have local elections in addition to the statewide races.

Data centers are a key issue in the district, where the Digital Gateway project is planned, although plans are on pause amid lawsuits.

Thomas, the district's current delegate, introduced legislation requiring data centers and electric utilities to disclose noise impacts and needed electric infrastructure. It would have also allowed localities to seek site assessments on impacts to ground and surface waters, agricultural resources and nearby historic sites.

However, Gov. Glenn Youngkin vetoed the legislation.

Results will come in on the Virginia Department of Elections website.

Gorham told WJLA that he would seek additional taxes for data centers and expressed concerns about putting data centers in inappropriate locations. On the issue of taxes for residents, Gorham said he would try to eliminate the meals tax.

Smith also shared support for limiting locations for data centers and protecting parks in an interview with WJLA. She also brought up the cost of living, noting that a senior said her monthly medication cost is $6,500.

Follow Patch for real-time election results.