On June 9, voters will chose among three Democrats — Emily Francis, Dan Gecker and Alexander B. McMurtrie Jr. — for the party’s senatorial candidate in the 10th District. One of them will confront Richmond School Board member Glen Sturtevant, the Republican nominee, in November. Another candidate is Carl Loser, a 24-year-old paralegal running as a Libertarian.
Who wins the November contest is likely to determine which party runs the state Senate, which is ruled by Republicans 21-19.
“If you were to pick one district in Virginia in which the control of the Senate hinges, it is this district,” says Stephen Farnsworth, a professor of political science at the University of Mary Washington. “This is one of the most competitive races in the state.”
