Dels. Kathy Byron and Terry Austin were re-elected Tuesday without formal opposition, while Dels. Ben Cline and Richard “Dickie” Bell easily won another two years in Richmond.
With Election Day looming on Tuesday, the three area Republican delegate candidates raised nearly three times more money than their Democratic challengers during the last reporting period. The final campaign finance reports before Tuesday’s election were due Monday, with candidates’ contributions and expenses from Oct. 1-26.
A Democrat opposing Del. Terry Austin for the 19th House of Delegates seat has dropped out of the race. Austin, R-Botetourt, is now unopposed in his re-election bid. Reagan Flaherty, who works for Shentel and serves as chairwoman of the Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce, dropped out of the race this week for personal reasons, said campaign manager Cain Turner.
Reagan Flaherty announced, Monday, that she is running for the 19th House of Delegates seat as a Democrat. “I am a wife, mother, and living the American dream of opportunity and prosperity, keen to giving back to the country I love,” Flaherty said. Flaherty is a Coast Guard veteran, having served on a buoy tender. She currently works in business to business telecommunications sales and is chairman of the Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce’s board of directors.
A Bedford County businesswoman announced Monday that she will run as a Democrat for the 19th District seat in the House of Delegates. Political newcomer Reagan Flaherty will challenge Del. Terry Austin, R-Botetourt, for the job he has held since 2014 representing Alleghany and Botetourt counties, Covington and part of Bedford County.