GOP maintains control of House

RICHMOND — Republicans were well on their way Tuesday night to retaining — and perhaps increasing — their control of the Virginia House of Delegates.

Heading into Tuesday’s election, Republicans held 53 seats to the Democrats’ 45. There are two independents, who generally vote with the Republicans.

That meant Democrats needed to add six seats to gain control of the chamber, something they didn’t do.

Incumbents rarely lose seats in Virginia races for the House of Delegates. In 2007, incumbents held 90 of 92 seats. But a few changed hands Tuesday in marquee match-ups around the state:

- Democratic challenger Robin Abbott, a lawyer, defeated Del. Philip A. Hamilton, R-Newport News, a 21-year veteran who is vice chairman of the budget-writing House Appropriations Committee.

Hamilton is the subject of a legislative probe and a grand jury investigation. At issue is his role in seeking a job at a teaching center at Old Dominion University before he put in a budget amendment seeking the center’s creation.

- Republican Chris P. Stolle, a physician, knocked off Del. Joseph F. Bouchard, D-Virginia Beach. Bouchard was first elected in 2007, beating Stolle by 131 votes.

- In another notable contest, Democrats gained the Prince William County seat vacated by Del. Jeffrey M. Frederick, who was ousted in April as chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia.

All 100 House seats were up for election, but only 69 were contested.