Republican Ben Cline soundly defeats Jennifer Lewis in 6th District

UPDATE (Nov. 6):

On Election Day, voters turned out across Virginia's 6th District to support Republican Ben Cline's effort to take the seat held by Bob Goodlatte since 1992.

Rep. Goodlatte

, following last year's elections, that he would not seek re-election in 2018.

Cline out-fundraised Lewis in the heavily Republican-leaning district where President Donald Trump defeated Hillary Clinton by nearly 25 points in the 2016 election.

As of 9:15 p.m. on November 6, with 86.53% of precincts reporting across the district, Cline had 140,798 votes to Lewis' 94,801, holding a significant 59.71% to 40.20% lead.

While Lewis won Harrisonburg 66.57% to Cline's 33.25% and Staunton by 56.32% to 43.58%, she narrowly lost Waynesboro by just 33 votes and was soundly defeated in every county election. For instance, in Augusta County, Cline won by 71.84% to 28.07%.

Cline, a long-time Virginia delegate who worked closely for retiring Congressman Bob Goodlatte, has campaigned on fixing a Washington he says does not work for the average American.

Lewis is a mental health worker from Waynesboro who handily won a four-way Democratic primary to challenge Cline.

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With only ten days to go, candidates for Virginia's 6th District were busy on Saturday rallying support for their congressional bids.

State Delegate Ben Cline was scheduled to make stops in Page County, Staunton, Lexington and Bedford. He was joined by Del. Steve Landes (R-Va. 25) at his stop in the Queen City.

The Lexington attorney, who has branded himself a 'principled conservative,' has

the current leadership in Washington, who he says does not work for the people — despite Republicans controlling the House, Senate and presidency.

Amy Darby, a potential voter, called Cline's record in the General Assembly encouraging.

"I think he's keeping the economy going in the direction that it's moving right now is really important. That is great," said Darby, who attended Cline's rally in Staunton.

Jennifer Lewis, the mental health care worker hoping to pull off a surprise in a district considered a safe bet for the Republican party by independent analysts, has focused her campaign on healthcare affordability and the environment.

She spent her morning in Woodstock before traveling to the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Democratic Headquarters.

"We need someone who will listen to us, to our concerns about eminent domain. I'm also very concerned about that we protect social security," said Martha Woodroof, who attended the Lewis campaign event in Harrisonburg. "Also, I'm worried about our environment."

Lewis will spend her Sunday campaigning in the Roanoke area.

Cline plans to make stops on Front Royal and Woodstock on Tuesday.

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