"Retired Episcopal pastor David Cox will fill the Democratic ticket for the 24th Senate District race, taking roughly 70 percent of the caucus votes Tuesday night.

With that first victory under his belt, the Lexington man then turned his attention toward a seat that has been in Republican control for 12 years.

"Now the work begins," he told the caucus assembled at the Augusta County Government Center in Verona. "We are watching the Republicans self destruct: It's about time."

Cox referred to his failed bid two years ago for the 24th District House of Delegates seat as the experience needed to win what likely will be a three-candidate race.

Challenger Will Hrovat, of Churchville, touted his job as power plant operator for Dominion Virginia Power as the tool that puts him in touch with the middle-class worker. That is the population segment that is suffering, he said.

This argument seemed to carry him slightly as caucus members debated and cast their votes.

He took 21.1 percent of the votes. Greene County did not have a representative to vote.

The deciding factor, however, seemed to be the candidates' opinions concerning Roe v. Wade.

In a pre-vote debate, Cox said that he supports abortion in cases of incest and rape. Any other senatorial vote on the subject would depend on the wording of the law put before him.

Hrovat sidestepped a definitive answer when he called it a "personal issue" between him and God.

"I would have to vote my conscience on that, and we'll have to leave it at that," he said.

Some caucus members seemed to point to that statement as the deciding factor.

Incumbent Emmett Hanger is vying against Scott Sayre for the Republican nomination. That primary is set for June 12.

Arin Sime, of Albemarle County, is the Libertarian candidate." (Media General News Service, The Daily Progress, May 31, 2007)