Marshall Wins Again
Written by Keith Walker
Del. Robert G. “Bob” Marshall was outspent by more than five-to-one in the race for the 13th District of the Virginia House of Delegates, but it didn’t matter.
He defeated John J. Bell, his Democratic opponent.
The nine-term Republican incumbent held off the Democratic newcomer to keep the seat he has held since 1992, according to unofficial results at the State Board of Elections.
Marshall pulled ahead early and held 60- to 63-percent of the votes most of the night.
With 28 of the 37 precincts reporting at 9:30 p.m., Marshall held 62.06 percent of the votes.
According to the Virginia Public Access Project, Marshall raised $155,141 and spent 90,358, while Bell raised $515,115 and spent 479,728.
VPAP, a non-profit, non partisan organization that monitors money in politics, reported the latest figures on Oct. 21.
“It doesn’t work when you do the work and have a reputation among people for helping the constituents and have a dedicated corps of volunteers,” Marshall said of spending more money on the campaign.
Marshall asked that his cell phone number, 703-853-4213, be published so he could better help constituents.
“I put it on 180,000 brochures. I work for the people in this district. They need to be able to reach me,” he said.
Marshall, a pro-life candidate who has been described as the most conservative member of the General Assembly, introduced and helped pass a bill last session preventing gay marriage in the state.
In 2008, Marshall ran unsuccessfully in a primary against Jim Gilmore in a senate race to replace the retired Sen. John Warner. Gilmore was ultimately defeated by Mark Warner, who is not related to John Warner.
As a legislator, Marshall worked with other Prince William area lawmakers to get approval for widening of Interstate 66.
Marshall opposes accepting federal stimulus money to pay down the state’s debt on the grounds that it is borrowed money from China and the Middle East.
Marshall will begin his 10th term serving parts of Prince William and Loudoun counties when the General Assembly convenes in January and plans to pursue a transportation bond bill, introduce a bill to deal with credit default swaps and “other concerns.”
Manassas Bureau Chief Keith Walker can be reached at 703-369-6751.
