Former Attorney General Jerry Kilgore easily defeated Warrenton Mayor George Fitch in Tuesday's Republican primary race for Governor, tallying more than 82 percent of the vote.
Fitch, the founder of the Jamaican bobsled team in the 1988 Olympics, had sought to become Virginia's 70th governor, saying he would slash state spending and reduce taxes.
Kilgore will face Lt. Gov. Tim Kaine (D) and independent Sen. Russ Potts of Winchester in the Nov. 8 general election.
"I am running with a record of results and an optimistic vision for the future," Kilgore said. "I feel great about the months ahead."
Kilgore can expect a contest in the November election. The office is currently held by a Democrat, although in last fall's presidential election, 53.6 percent of Virginia voters chose President George W. Bush (R), while 45.5 percent selected U.S. Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.). Outgoing Gov. Mark Warner (D) is limited to a single term by the commonwealth’s constitution.
Kaine has the led gubernatorial race so far in fundraising, collecting more than $9.9 million in campaign contributions. Kilgore has brought in roughly $8.65 million and Potts has raised $425,000, according to the Virginia Public Access Project.