Three delegates run unopposed

Published 9:41 pm Saturday, October 31, 2009

Voters heading to the polls Tuesday will have the opportunity to vote for their state delegate in the General Assembly.

However, they will not have much of a choice in candidates — the incumbents of all three state delegate seats in Suffolk are running unopposed this year.

Delegates S. Chris Jones (R-76), Lionell Spruill (D-77) and Johnny Joannou (D-79) are the only names on the ballot for delegate in their districts.

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“Thank the Lord for that,” Spruill said in a phone interview Friday. “I think probably one reason I’m unopposed is I really stay in touch with my district, not just during election time but even during off time.”

Spruill, whose district covers most of the downtown Suffolk area as well as part of Chesapeake, did note that he hoped people would come to the polls to vote in the statewide races for governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general.

“I hope people will get out and vote,” he said.

Joannou’s 79th district covers a sliver of the North Suffolk area, as well as parts of Chesapeake, Norfolk and Portsmouth. Jones’ 76th district covers the rest of Suffolk, as well as part of Chesapeake.

At the statewide level, Virginians have a little more competition to choose from. Voters can mark their ballots for Democrat Creigh Deeds or Republican Robert. F. “Bob” McDonnell for governor; Democrat Jody M. Wagner or Republican William T. “Bill” Bolling for lieutenant governor; and Democrat Stephen D. Shannon or Republican Ken T. Cuccinelli for attorney general.