House, Senate Nominees on Primary Ballots Today

Voters today will decide who is on the ballot for congressional races that will be decided in November.

In the Democratic primary, incumbent U.S. Rep.  faces political newcomer  of Arlington in Virginia's 8th Congressional District. Voters who choose to participate in today's Republican primary will weigh in on one of the hottest Senate races in the country and pick the GOP candidate to face Democrat Tim Kaine in November.

Shortly before 11:30 a.m., Arlington County Registrar Linda Lindberg was trying to fight off boredom.

"I think it's going to be another light turnout day for us," Lindberg said. "The phones have not been busy for us at all — either from the precincts or from the voters."

Lindberg said she expects today's Arlington turnout to be comparable to the March presidential primary — about 6 percent turnout overall.

Moran Fights to Retain Seat

Moran voted at 6 a.m. at the Arlington County Division of Parks and Natural Resources in Shirlington.

"I always worry, and it keeps me energized," Moran told Patch. "I'm never complacent about anything, and for something that's worth it like this it is worth working hard for and not being taken for granted."

The 8th Congressional District covers a swath of Northern Virginia that includes Arlington, Alexandria and parts of Fairfax County.

Shortly after 6 a.m., Shuttleworth was one of the first voters to cast a ballot at the Madison Precinct in North Arlington.

Shuttleworth said he is ready for a general election campaign.

"We'd be completely energized for that," Shuttleworth said. "I'm up for that challenge."

Shuttleworth will campaign in Alexandria and Arlington today with his wife Divonne.

The winner of the Democratic primary will face retired Army Col. Patrick Murray, an Alexandria Republican, and independent candidate Jason Howell of Ballston in November.

Moran said he hopes to remain in Congress for at least two more years.

"I do feel very much invested in the community, and I'll have to be convinced there is somebody in the running with my sense of values and vision," he said. "I can't turn it over to someone who doesn't have proven involvement in the community. That's the test, really." 

Alexandria Mayor Bill Euille, who is in the midst of his own reelection campaign, has expressed interest in Moran's seat should it come up for grabs.

"I would like to run for Jim Moran's seat when he gives that up, but I don't know when that is going to be," Euille told Patch at the Democratic Party of Virginia State Convention earlier this month.

Four Republicans Square Off in GOP Senate Primary

Meanwhile, former senator and Gov.  and his wife, , greeted voters this morning at Washington Mill Elementary School, a precinct near their home in Mount Vernon.

“Our goal obviously is to win, and the bigger the turnout the better," Allen told Patch. "I think most people recognize that the larger the turnout the stronger it’ll be for us. We have a lot of support through Virginia because people know me."

He continued: "I had the honor of serving Virginians in the U.S. Senate, as well as governor, and I know the communities and the people, and that’s not something that’s easily done just in a year of campaigning. We have good friendships and relationships throughout Virginia, so the bigger the turnout, the better it’ll be for us. We’re cautiously optimistic."

Allen faces competition from three challengers in the GOP primary: tea party leader , minister  and state Del.  of Prince William County.

The Allens voted at their precinct and plan to visit other precincts around Northern Virginia before heading to a rally in Richmond tonight to await results.

The winner will face Kaine, also a former governor of Virginia. The Senate seat is currently occupied by Democratic Sen. Jim Webb, who announced his retirement last year.