BY JOHN-HENRY DOUCETTE
Republican Bill DeSteph, a state delegate and former member of the city council, defeated retired Air Force officer Dave Belote in the 8th state senate district on Tuesday.
DeSteph won nearly 59 percent of the vote, according to unofficial returns. He earned the opportunity to follow Sen. Jeff McWaters, a Republican who is retiring, in the eighth.
DeSteph was among the Republican candidates who made a strong showing in the Beach, and they gathered in celebration at an event that included an appearance from former Gov. Bob McDonnell.
“There’s not one candidate that does this without a team, a family and a lot of support,” DeSteph said.
He also thanked those gathered at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel for “keeping Virginia Republican,” noting that the senate remained in the hands of the GOP.
The race to follow McWaters cost well over a half million dollars. DeSteph spent nearly $280,000 during the election cycle, compared to about $337,000 by Belote’ campaign.
