Douglas Ollivant, a retired Army officer, has won the Republican primary in Virginia’s 7th Congressional District. He will challenge incumbent Rep. Eugene Vindman, a Democrat, in the November election.
Primary Results
Ollivant defeated two other political newcomers, Rick Smithers and Philip Harding, in the primary. He earned 56.6% of the vote, while Harding received 30.7% and Smithers got 12.8%. Ollivant’s victory was decisive, despite the lack of reliable polling in the race.
Ollivant served as the National Security Council director for Iraq during the George W. Bush administration. He has also worked as a national security analyst and consultant. Smithers, a pastor and construction business owner, branded himself as the biggest outsider in the race. Harding is a businessman with degrees from Harvard University.
General Election Ahead
Rep. Vindman, whose twin brother Alexander is a high-profile foe of President Donald Trump, currently represents Virginia’s 7th Congressional District. The district is considered a true swing district, and Republicans are eyeing it as a potential pickup in their bid to keep control of Congress.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
