Goodlatte rolls to his 9th term

Incumbent 6th District Rep. Bob Goodlatte won a ninth term Tuesday by sweeping past Democratic challenger Sam Rasoul.

With 84 percent of precincts reporting, Goodlatte led with more than 64 percent of the vote to Rasoul’s 34 percent. Independent candidate Janice Lee Allen garnered less than 2 percent of the vote. The Associated Press called the race for Goodlatte.

Goodlatte, R-Roanoke, said he was “pleased with the strong result we’ve got because I think this campaign was run in a very difficult environment.”

Goodlatte centered his campaign on the economy, and that along with his strong conservative record resonated in the deeply red 6th District.

“The economy is the top priority,’’ he said. The congressman said the country is on the wrong track.

He added that it is important to deal with the root causes of the financial problems. That includes heavy federal spending, a trade deficit and the need for energy independence.

A comprehensive energy plan will help America eliminate its need for foreign energy, Goodlatte said.

He also plans to reintroduce his legislation for a Constitutional amendment to balance the federal budget. He will need bipartisan support and plans to seek it.

Rasoul, D-Roanoke, spent almost two years running for the seat and focused his campaign on loosening the grip of special interests on Washington.

Rasoul, 27, said while awaiting final returns Tuesday night he would stay on message and keep focusing “on the shift away from the stranglehold of special interests and back to our founding fathers giving a voice to the people.”

Rasoul additionally campaigned on a promise to sponsor legislation eradicating congressional earmarks. He refused to accept political action committee or Virginia Democratic Party money in his campaign.

Rasoul said it was gratifying to see so many people participating in this year’s elections for the first time ever.

“It’s not just the young people,’’ he said. “It’s the disenfranchised and so many people who have never voted before.”

Rasoul said he believes the current difficult economic conditions stimulated some of Tuesday’s turnout.

“People are forced to stand up and be heard,’’ he said. “Our backs are against the wall.”

Rasoul said he wishes all young people could run for office.

“You learn so much about the world and community you live in,’’ he said.

Goodlatte said having major party opposition benefited him.

“It’s a very positive thing to have opposition,’’ he said. “No matter what kind of opposition, I listened to my constituents and it was important to build our organization.”