VA-HD77: Former ACLU attorney Charlie Schmidt wins Democratic nomination in House District 77
Charlie Schmidt, a former American Civil Liberties Union attorney and self-described progressive Democrat, won the Democratic nomination Sunday for the Jan. 6 special election in Virginias House District 77, securing his partys nod to succeed Del. Mike Jones, D-Richmond.
Schmidt defeated former Richmond City Council President Michelle Mosby in a three-way primary, winning 639 votes to Mosbys 488, according to results released Sunday night by the Democratic Party of Virginia. A third candidate, Gregory Powers, received 32 votes.
The seat was vacated earlier this month after Jones was elected to fill a state Senate vacancy created by Lt. Gov.-elect Ghazala Hashmis elevation to statewide office. House District 77 includes portions of the city of Richmond and Chesterfield County and is considered strongly Democratic. No Republican has announced plans to run.
Schmidt framed his victory as part of a broader political shift in Virginia, pointing to Democratic gains in statewide and legislative races during the Nov. 4 elections.
https://virginiamercury.com/briefs/former-aclu-attorney-charlie-schmidt-wins-democratic-nomination-in-house-district-77/