Justin Bernick and Sara Jeanblanc

Republican candidate wins 58th district seat

In yesterday's spirited local House of Delegates race, Republican Robert Bell became the next delegate for the redrawn 58th district, defeating Democrat Charles Martin. At his victory celebration late last night, Bell said he was excited about his win in the 58th district, which includes most of Albemarle County. "I look forward to finding ways to move my reforms forward," he said. Bell, who received his undergraduate degree from the University in 1988 and received his law degree from the University in 1995, ran a "tremendously active campaign," which included calling constituents on the phone to encourage them to vote, and running local television commercials, said Martha Baganz, a 58th district resident. Almost 80 volunteers knocked on over 9,500 doors for this campaign, Bell said.