McDonnell easily carries Culpeper

Bob McDonnell handily won in all 14 precincts in Culpeper, restoring the county as a Republican stronghold — aided in part because of lower voter turnout — after President Barack Obama made some headway during last year’s presidential election.

A year ago, boosted by the presidential faceoff between Obama and Republican John McCain, 72.25 percent of Culpeper voted. This year, that number dipped to 37.97 percent.

Last year, three of the 14 precincts voted Democrat in the presidential election. This year, all four state races — governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and House of Delegates District 30 — went to Republicans, and each winner swept the Culpeper precincts.

However, the “R” wasn’t all-important in the Board of Supervisors Stevensburg District race. Republican Dewayne Payne was bested by 73 votes by independent incumbent Bill Chase.

As incumbents go, all four School Board members were re-elected. Leanne Jenkins bested Richard Goff in the Jefferson District for the second straight time, Robert Houck won the seat he was appointed to in West Fairfax, and George Dasher and Leanne Jenkins were not contested in their districts.