NEWPORT NEWS — A Democratic candidate who lost a random drawing that determined control of the Virginia House of Delegates nearly two years ago has won a rematch against her Republican opponent.
Shelly Simonds defeated four-term Del. David Yancey handily Tuesday in a race for the 94th District in Newport News.
The close 2017 race between the two went to a recount, then to court. Eventually, officials used the luck of the draw, placing the name of each candidate on a piece of paper and each piece of paper in a separate film canister.
The canisters were put into a cobalt blue-and-white ceramic bowl made by a local artist and stirred around. The canister containing Yancey’s name was drawn, giving him the win.
On Tuesday, Simonds won nearly 58 percent of the vote. Yancey won about 40 percent.