Southsiders will vote in 'firehouse primary' on Sunday for Hashmi's Senate seat
Richmond-area Democrats will hold a firehouse primary Sunday to select their party’s nominee for the state Senate seat coming open as incumbent Sen. Ghazala Hashmi starts a new role as Virginia’s lieutenant governor.
The party primary in the 15th Senate District could effectively determine the winner of the Jan. 6 special election to replace Hashmi.
The district, which covers parts of Chesterfield County and the city of Richmond, is solidly Democratic, giving Republicans slim chances of flipping the seat if they choose to field a candidate.
Two Richmond-area state lawmakers — Dels. Mike Jones and Debra Gardner — are running truncated campaigns for the seat at a time when many would-be voters are more focused on the holidays than politics.
Where to vote
Voting will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday at the following locations:
- Thomas Dale High School WEST CAMPUS
3900 West Hundred Road, Chester, VA 23831
- Manchester Middle School
7401 Hull Street Road, North Chesterfield VA 23235
- Hickory Hill Community Center
3000 East Belt Blvd., Richmond VA 23234
What's the campaign like?
Gardner released an ad Wednesday criticizing Jones over a protective order taken out by a former spouse, but the Jones campaign notes that the order was later dissolved over a lack of evidence.
Virginia Scope published an extensive piece on the claims Thursday afternoon.
Richmond Mayor Danny Avula and Hashmi have supported Jones, while State Sens. Louise Lucas and Aaron Rouse, both powerful Democrats, are backing Gardner.
Contact Michael Phillips at mphillips@richmonder.org.
