Mick Staton wins primary

This is promising for the GOP in Virginia:

Sugarland Run District Supervisor Mick Staton glided to victory in the Republican Party’s canvass today, almost doubling the votes of the second-place finisher.

Staton, 35, now faces Democrat Mark Herring in a 33rd Senatorial District special election that will take place on Tuesday, Jan. 31....

Suzanne Volpe, the chairwoman of the committee that organized the canvass, said this process saved Loudoun and Fairfax counties $50,000.

"None of this would have been possible without the volunteers," she said, thanking the approximately 50 people who helped with the party canvass.

Upon hearing he lost, Minchew, a local land use attorney and chairman of the Loudoun County Republican Committee, shook Staton’s hand and told him he had his support.

"Now let’s beat Mark Herring," he told Staton.

Later, Minchew said his message during his short campaign—his first effort at seeking an elected office—was "Republican unity."