Beginning when it was re-created in 1952, the 10th district was in Republican hands for 60 of 66 years, including long stints in office by Joel Broyhill (1953–74) and Frank Wolf (1981–2014). Barbara Comstock, a former aide to Wolf, succeeded him after the 2014 election.[6] Wexton defeated Comstock in the 2018 midterms, becoming only the second Democrat to win the district.[citation needed]
The modern 10th congressional district was formed in 1952. For the next two decades, it consisted of Arlington, Alexandria, and most of Fairfax County. As a result of redistricting following the 1970 census, it lost Alexandria and was pushed westward to take in Loudoun County. Virginia's 10th congressional district used to be a Republican stronghold, having once voted by double-digit margins for Republican candidates. In 2000, ten-term incumbent Republican Congressman Frank Wolf won over 80% of the vote and did not face a Democratic opponent. Two years later, Wolf defeated his Democratic challenger John Stevens by 43 points. In 2004, President George W. Bush won the district by 11 points. In recent years, the district has become much friendlier to Democrats due to population growth in the Washington, D.C. suburbs. In 2012, Mitt Romney narrowly carried the district by a point, while in 2016, Hillary Clinton won the district by 10 points.[citation needed]
In 2017, Democrats scored major gains in the state legislative elections, leaving Comstock as the only elected Republican above the county level in much of the district. Ralph Northam also easily carried the district in the gubernatorial race. This proved to be a precursor to Comstock's defeat by Wexton a year later. As of 2022, VA-10 is the third-wealthiest congressional district in the country, with a median household income of $140,889.[7]
Demographics
According to Larry Sabato's Crystal Ball, as of 2016, the district had many "wealthy and highly-educated voters".[8] As of 2018, whites represented about 61% of the population, and immigrants (largely Hispanic and Asian) represented over 20%. Just over half of adults held at least a four-year college degree.[9]
As of 2018, the 10th district had 35,500 federal workers. By comparison, the 1st district had 46,900; the 11th had 51,900; and the 8th had 81,100.[10] As of 2018, the eastern part of the district was home to Dulles Airport and technology, telecom and aerospace companies including Verizon Business Global LLC and Aeronautical Systems Inc.[11]
The Virginia Third District started in 1788 covering the counties of New Kent, Elizabeth City, Warwick, York, Charles City, Chesterfield, Henrico, Hanover and James City.[51]
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