Bulova declares unofficial victory in Fairfax

FAIRFAX, Va - Residents in Fairfax County went to the polls Tuesday to vote in a special election. Although unofficial vote totals are in, final results may take some time.

On her Web site, Democrat Sharon Bulova declares victory, thanking voters for electing her Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. But Republican Pat Herrity has yet to concede. A campaign spokesperson for Herrity tells WTOP the candidate plans to challenge the results.

With all precincts reporting, unofficial returns show Bulova defeated Herrity by just over 1,200 votes. She received 51,949 votes to Herrity's 50,732. Two independents Carey Campbell and Christopher F. DeCarlo were also on the ballot.

WTOP Political analyst Mark Plotkin says support for Herrity was impressive considering the county's political demographics.

"This is a much closer election than people expected," Plotkin says.

"Fairfax County is now considered really a blue area. It has gone Democratic in the last five elections."

If the results stand, Bulova - who has served on the county board for 21 years - will replace former Board Chair Gerry Connolly.

He resigned in November after winning a seat in Congress.

Voter turnout was just over 16 percent.

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