Del. Emily Brewer won the Senate 17 Republican primary Tuesday night, defeating Hermie Sadler.
The Associated Press called the race for Brewer shortly after 9 p.m. Tuesday. Brewer had 9,476 votes compared to 6,639 for Sadler with 96% of the votes counted.
Sadler had raised about $680,000 as of June 8, outraising Brewer by more than $200,000, according to the Virginia Public Access Project.
Brewer, 39, has represented the 64th House District since 2018. She decided to run for the newly drawn Senate 17 district last year, as it overlapped with much of her current House district. She campaigned on foster care and adoption reform, opposing abortion, expanding broadband and reducing taxes.
Sadler, 54, is a former NASCAR driver and political newcomer. She was born and raised in Emporia. He and his sister own Sadler Brothers Oil Company, a third-generation business that manages truck stops and convenience stores. He also owns several restaurants in the Emporia area with his wife, Angie, including FO SHO Bar and Grille, Victory Lane Restaurant, and Quiznos.
He largely campaigned on reducing government mandates and regulations on businesses, opposing gun control measures and bringing an “outsider” non-establishment perspective to the Senate.
District 17 includes areas in Hampton Roads and Southside, including Suffolk, Isle of Wight County, Franklin, Emporia, Southampton County, Brunswick County, Greensville County, and parts of Portsmouth and Dinwiddie County.
Brewer will face Del. Clint Jenkins, Suffolk Democrat, in the general election. The district leans Republican.
