News and Events . Knight Wins Election

Published on HamptonRoads.com | PilotOnline.com (http://www.norfolk.com)

Barry Knight wins special election in 81st House District

Barry Knight easily won the 81st District race for the House of Delegates on Tuesday, claiming 82 percent of the vote against 24-year-old John LaCombe.

"I was happy to have a good win, but this is beyond my expectations," Knight, a Republican and member of the Virginia Beach Planning Commission, said at a victory rally in his Pungo home.

Results were in about 30 minutes after the polls closed at 7 p.m. Preliminary vote totals had Knight, a Republican with 2,435 votes while his Democratic opponent, John LaCombe received 493.

A 54-year-old farmer who raises hogs in Pungo, Knight swept all 16 precincts in the district, which covers southern Virginia Beach and a portion of southern Chesapeake. Only one precinct, Seatack in Virginia Beach, was close, where Knight received 40 votes to LaCombe's 38.

In the rural Beach areas of Creeds, Capps Shop and Blackwater, Knight garnered between 85 percent and 90 percent of the vote.

The election had only one item on the ballot, and turnout was low. Only 6.5 percent of voters cast a ballot.

"I'm not going to be a standalone delegate," Knight said. "I'm going to be a delegate who reaches out to everyone."

In an e-mail Tuesday night, LaCombe said: "I chose to run because the people deserve a voice, a chance to make a choice, especially in times so vicious to the working class. I regret nothing, and I congratulate Mr. Knight."

Knight was heavily favored to win the seat, which has been Republican since Terrie Suit defeated Glenn Croshaw, a Democrat, 10 years ago.

Suit resigned from the House in October to take a lobbying job.

Knight will have to run again this year to stay in the House; Tuesday's election only allows him to complete Suit's term.

The four-year 81st District seat will be up for grabs again during the regular election in November.

In a GOP primary several weeks ago, Knight took 59 percent of the vote against two candidates.

He will take his seat in the General Assembly when it convenes Jan. 14.

John Warren, (757) 222-5114, john.warren@pilotonline.com