Avoli celebrates win with family, supporters and barbecue

STAUNTON— At the Elks Lodge in Staunton, the unofficial Tuesday evening dress code included two items— an "I voted" sticker on one side of your shirt and an "Avoli for Delegate" sticker on the other.

At 9:15 p.m., Republican John Avoli secured a seat in the Virginia House of Delegates representing District 20, which includes the cities of Staunton and Waynesboro and parts of three counties — Augusta, Highland and Nelson. By 9:15 p.m Avoli captured 56% of votes, while Democratic candidate Jennifer Lewis secured 44%. 

"I want to thank you, it's been a long campaign with the primary," Avoli said after announcing the election results. "And as I've told you many other times, a lot of you know where I came from, the American dream has been realized tonight." 

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More:Avoli defeats Lewis for 20th House seat

When Avoli took the stage to announce the win, the already lively crowd broke into applause and shared hugs. The mild layer of tension that arrived when Lewis won Staunton earlier in the evening finally left the room.

Avoli started his Election Day at 4 a.m. After visiting Waynesboro polls in the morning and Staunton polls in the afternoon, he gathered with supporters, family and friends for a watch party in Staunton. 

"We saw heavy voter turnout, exceptionally heavy," Avoli said. " There was lots of voting, which is very good—to exercise your right to vote is wonderful."

If you walked into the lodge and didn't see voting stickers and scattered "Avoli for Delegate" signs and table decorations, you might not have known the event was a watch party at all. For much of the night, Jeopardy played on the television. Organizers were waiting for someone to set up the election results live stream, according to Avoli.

But Avoli's supporters didn't seem to mind the delay. Guests chattered excitedly as they filled plates with barbecue, chicken wings and an array of desserts. At around 7:30 p.m. an enthusiastic buzz passed through the room when reports from Waynesboro showed Avoli in the lead. 

Later in the evening, Avoli updated guests that the election website was down and encouraged everyone to continue enjoying the food and libations in the meantime.

Among the guests was Katie Avoli-Miller, Avoli's daughter. Like her father, Avoli-Miller was shocked and excited to see such a significant turnout across the district. 

"Seeing all of these people come out to support my dad like this has been really special," she said." It's been quite a journey for our family."

The family involvement stretches far beyond the room in Staunton. Avoli-Miller FaceTimed her sister in Texas to celebrate as soon as results arrived.

There was no incumbent in this race because Republican Del. Dickie Bell opted not to run for reelection. 

Avoli's involvement in the area is diverse and longstanding. He spent most of his career in education as serving as a high school English teacher, principal of Stuarts Draft High School and principal at the Valley Career and Technical Center. He also spent 15 years as executive director of the Frontier Culture Museum before retiring in 2017. 

During his 14 years as Staunton's mayor, Avoli worked with other city leaders on the revitalization of downtown, including the Blackfriars Theater, downtown streetscape work and the Stonewall Jackson Hotel and Conference Center project.

During his campaign, Avoli said he wants to focus on education, mental health services, economic development and promoting fiscal responsibility in the House of Delegates.

Share any questions, comments or story ideas with Leanna Smith at lsmith@newsleader.com. Follow her on Twitter @LeannaCSmith.

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