Heather Curtis
WMAL.com

WASHINGTON (WMAL) – Tuesday Virginians will vote in the primaries. Three Republicans will face off for the chance to run against Sen. Tim Kaine in November’s general election. They are Prince William County Board of Supervisors chair Corey Stewart, Del. Nick Freitas and Republican party nominee for Lieutenant Governor in 2013 E.W. Jackson.

“Corey Stewart has an advantage going into Tuesday’s primary,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at University of Mary Washington.

Farnsworth said Stewart has raised more money and has greater name recognition than the other candidates, and he almost won the primary for governor last year. That said, Farnsworth points out that Del. Nick Freitas has been very effective in building a statewide presence during his campaign, particularly among those who have their doubts about whether Stewart would be a helpful candidate for the party in the general election.

E.W. Jackson was the Republican party nominee for Lieutenant Governor in 2013, but Farnsworth said voters didn’t seem all that enthusiastic about his candidacy last time. Another problem Jackson is facing is anemic fundraising compared to others according to Farnsworth.

Despite the advantages Stewart has over the other candidates, Farnsworth said his extreme views may wind up hurting him down the road.

“To win a primary you have to, as a Republican, move to a very conservative place, and that can really hurt you with the moderate voters in the suburbs where Corey Stewart style politics is not particularly helpful in a November general election,” Farnsworth said.

Polls open in Virginia Tuesday at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.

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