(Political Winners and Losers: Virginia Primary Elections June 2023 | Blue Virginia)
June 22, 2023
Winners
Prince William County Board of Supervisors Chair Democratic candidate Deshundra Jefferson (D): My understanding from people “in the know” was that Prince William County Board Chair Ann Wheeler wasn’t in any jeopardy in her Democratic primary against Deshundra Jefferson, but then…Jefferson won (!), 52.4%-47.6%, in possibly the most stunning upset in Tuesday night’s primaries. What on earth happened here? Was this a backlash against Wheeler’s support for data centers? Was Wheeler not popular among the Democratic base for other reasons? Did Jefferson out-campaign Wheeler? Other factors? Whatever the reasons, it’s stunning that a powerful incumbent who outspent her opponent 5:1 or whatever would lose like this. Wild.
Losers
Prince William County Board of Supervisors Chair Ann Wheeler (D): My understanding from people “in the know” was that Wheeler wasn’t in any jeopardy in her Democratic primary against Deshundra Jefferson, but then…Wheeler lost (!), 52.4%-47.6%, in possibly the most shocking (and out-of-the-blue) upset in Tuesday night’s primaries. What on earth happened here? Was this a backlash against Wheeler’s support for data centers? Was Wheeler not popular among the Democratic base for other reasons? Other? Whatever the reasons, it’s stunning that a powerful incumbent who outspent her opponent 5:1 or whatever would lose like this. Wild.