by Shawn Nowlin
After months of knocking on doors to make their case to constituents, phone banking, and other coalition efforts, it was time for Roanoke voters to collectively decide on June 20 which Democratic candidate will be on the November ballot for the 4th District State Senate race.
The three-way primary between Trish White-Boyd, Luke Priddy, and DeAnthony D.A. Pierce was competitive initially, but after all the data was gathered, voters left little doubt who they want to represent the party in November’s election. Here is a breakdown of the numbers: White-Boyd garnered 4,059 votes (57.3%) while Priddy (37.7%) and Pierce (4.9%) received 2,673 and 350 votes, respectively.
Pierce, an Air Force veteran, and Roanoke native, is a political newcomer.
Reducing gun violence, increasing teacher pay, and boosting economic development in Southwest Virginia are all part of White-Boyd’s platform. A small business owner, for the last four years, she has served on the city council.
Asked why she voted for White-Boyd, Alyshia Merchant said, “Because she has a track record of getting things done, and I know that will continue once she arrives in Richmond.”
Newly redrawn Virginia Senate District 4 covers Salem, Roanoke City, and parts of Montgomery and Roanoke counties. While she won every locality, White-Boyd accumulated her largest support in Roanoke, outpacing Priddy by nearly 1,000 votes.
Tuesday’s results mean that she will face incumbent Sen. David Suetterlein, R-Roanoke County, who is seeking a third term.
According to registrars in Roanoke County, Montgomery County and Salem, turnout was significantly lower than expected. Officials say there was a slight increase once the rain stopped.
While State Senators serve terms of four years, Delegates serve two-year terms. This November, all 140 seats in both legislature chambers are up for election.
When news broke that White-Boyd had won the primary, she was surrounded by friends, family, and supporters at an Election Watch Party inside the Tajzmah Lounge in downtown Roanoke. Priddy, a fellow city council member, immediately gave her a call to send his congratulations.
“Team Trish has won tonight,” White-Boyd gleefully said to all in attendance. “We have won three of the four counties. Thank you all for being here. It has been a long road, but we did it. We all did it together. Today is a great milestone, but we have more work to do.”
