McCain tops Obama in Madison

By Don Richeson
Eagle Editor
Published: November 5, 2008

Democratic Sen. Barack Obama captured the most votes in Virginia and nationwide to win the Nov. 4 U.S. presidential election, but he came in second in Madison County. His Republican opponent, Sen. John McCain, received more Madison votes – 3,758 – to Obama’s 2,862. (This is according to unofficial results from the Madison County Registrar’s Office.)

In voting that drew 77 percent of the county’s 8,785 registered voters to the polls, McCain surpassed Obama in eight of the nine precincts in Madison County. In at least one precinct – Brightwood – McCain’s vote total eclipsed Obama’s by a near two-to-one margin. Obama did win one of the county’s precincts – Oak Park.

In the election’s other races, Madison County voters cast their ballots more in line with what occurred elsewhere. Former Democratic Gov. Mark Warner, who was elected as Virginia’s U.S. Senator, also received the most votes in Madison County. He defeated another former governor – Republican Jim Gilmore – whose father attended Madison County High School. Madison totals in the Warner-Gilmore race were 3,701-2,657.

In the U.S. House race on the ballot in Madison County, Republican Eric Cantor was re-elected and also captured a majority of Madison County votes. He defeated Democratic challenger Anita Hartke, an Amissville real estate broker. Madison totals in the Cantor-Hartke race were 3,910-2,272.

For complete Madison County precinct-by-precinct voting results, pick up a copy of the Nov. 6 Eagle.