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Spanberger Wins a Nail-biter

(AP Photo/Steve Helber)

In Virginia’s 7th Congressional District Democrat Abigail Spanberger has declared victory. After hours of nail-biting vote counting, the Associated Press called the race just past midnight.

Spanberger narrowly defeated incumbent Republican Dave Brat. Brat did not give a concession speech. Democrats were in high spirits anyway.

Spanberger is a former CIA agent and first time political candidate. She told supporters Tuesday night that they had won what people called an unwinnable district. “By doing what exactly what every campaign should do. We focused on the needs of the people. The voters. We talked about the substantive issues affecting their lives. We stood up for American values.”

Even though the race was not called until early Wednesday morning, Spanberger told reporters she’s confidant in the results.“Walking into a room full of people who are excited about something that we worked so hard to achieve and knowing that we did it, was phenomenal,” she said.

Brat has held the seat since he ousted former Republican majority leader Eric Cantor. Spanberger will be the district’s first Democratic representative since the 1970’s.

This report, provided by Virginia Public Radio, was made possible with support from the Virginia Education Association.

Mallory Noe-Payne is a Radio IQ reporter based in Richmond.