WDBJ7 Roanoke News and Weather NRV Lynchburg Danville | Close race in the 23rd House of Delegates district

Close race in the 23rd House of Delegates district

The race for the 23rd House of Delegates district features one of the closest outcomes of the 2009 election.

Republican Scott Garrett beat Democratic Incumbent Shannon Valentine by just 210 votes.

Supporters of the two candidates spent most of the night on edge and all eyes were on one precinct.

"This entire election is going to boil down to what happens with the Liberty vote. It is very, very close right now," says Mike Gillette, Lynchburg City Council Member.

And close it stayed.

When all the votes were counted Scott Garrett, a current Lynchburg City Council member, claimed victory by just over 200 votes.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, give yourselves a round of applause because you have won," says Scott Garrett.

Garrett may in fact have the Liberty University vote to thank.

At the Heritage precinct where Liberty students vote, Garrett won 85 percent of the vote.

"There are a lot of other communities and other neighborhoods that we've worked with over the years on city council that I think helped bring us over the top," says Garrett.

There was no shortage of applause at Valentine headquarters where the Democrat recognized supporters ranging from the Hill City's mayor, to Valentine's husband Mike.

"No matter what, you all are the winners. You remember that."

Valentine handed out plenty of thank you's, but no concession.

"Ya'll go home and sleep well and we'll see what happens in the morning," says Valentine.