Bagby wins ‘firehouse’ primary in quest for Senate seat

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Henrico Delegate Lamont Bagby has made a fast start in his quest to succeed Jennifer L. McClellan in the state Senate.

Delegate Bagby received 72 percent of the votes cast Sunday in the Democratic Party’s “firehouse” primary to win the nomination over two rivals, Alexsis Rodgers and Richmond Delegate Dawn M. Adams.

He now only must get by little-known Republican Stephen Imholt, 70, in the special election set for Tuesday, March 28, to gain the 9th Senate District seat.

Sen. McClellan is giving up the seat representing Richmond, Charles City County and parts of Henrico and Hanover counties to go to Congress. She won a Feb. 21 special election to replace the late A. Donald McEachin as the representative for the 4th Congressional District, and is to be sworn into her new office Tuesday, March 7.

“I am thrilled about the energy voters showed and am grateful for the support,” the 46-year-old Bagby, chair of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus, texted.

A member of the House since 2015, Delegate Bagby won credit from party leaders for backing away from a challenge to Sen. McClellan after she decided to seek the congressional seat.

Though Mayor Levar M. Stoney and Congresswoman-elect McClellan did not issue endorsements, Delegate Bagby still gained backing from a major chunk of state and local elected officials.

He also secured significant support from prominent members of the Baptist Ministers’ Conference of Richmond and Vicinity,