John Vihstadt Wins in Arlington Special Election Upset: First GOP Member of County Board Since 1999

UPDATE: Tuesday 8:35 p.m.:

Arlington voters Tuesday put their first Republican on the Arlington County Board in 15 years by voting for John Vihstadt.

With 100 percent of the county's 53 precincts in, Vihstadt received 57 percent or 12,656 votes in the special election.

Vihstadt, who ran as an independent, beat Democrat Alan Howze, who saw 41 percent or 9,107 votes.

Many voters said they voted for Vihstadt because they wanted to put the brakes on an expensive Columbia Pike streetcar project.

Vihstadt will be campaigning again soon; the seat is up for reelection in November.

Turnout was 22,209 or 16 percent.

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The polls are open Tuesday for a Special Election to fill a vacant Arlington County Board seat. All polling places are open from 6 a.m. - 7 p.m.

General Registrar Linda Lindberg said Tuesday morning there is a "light but steady" turnout so far; there appears to be higher turnout at the "home precincts" of the candidates, she said. Arlington County has 52 polling places.

Lindberg said she expects all election results to be made public by her office and the State Board of Elections by 9 p.m. Check back with Patch for results of the race.

Voters will get a chance to elect a new county board member for the seat vacated by Chris Zimmerman, from among the following candidates (links will take you to more information about the candidates):

• Alan E. Howze (Democrat)
• Stephen W.C. Holbrook(Independent)
• Janet H. Murphy(Independent Green)
• John E. Vihstadt (Independent)