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In the days since Luther Cifers won the Republican primary for Virginia’s 10th District State Senate seat, a number of politicians have both offered their congratulations on the achievement and issued a challenge. 

Cifers was the last person standing out of seven candidates early Saturday morning, winning in the third round of voting. Soon after, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin and 5th District Congressman-elect John McGuire offered their support. 

“Congratulations to Luther Cifers for winning the Republican nomination to be our next Senator from Virginia’s 10th Senate District,” Youngkin said in a statement that went out both on social media and through email. “Luther will bring the voice of a strong outsider to our fight for commonsense policies!” 

McGuire did more than offer congratulations. He also offered help to the Farmville resident. On Sunday, after attending church together, McGuire posted on social media that it’s time for all Republicans, regardless of who they supported, to get behind Cifers in order to win next month. 

“This morning, I attended church in Amelia County with our new Republican State Senate District 10 Nominee Luther Cifers for Senate and his family,” McGuire wrote. “Afterwards, we went to lunch and discussed what needs to be done to win on 7 January. We plan to continue our message of unity across the district and we ask folks to show grace to all the candidates who did not win Friday.  We must put our differences aside and work together as a team. Luther will need your prayers, your vote, dollars for the campaign, sign locations, volunteers, and more.”

Other state officials, including Virginia Lieutenant Governor Winsome Sears, also offered their congratulations about the victory. 

Cifers’ opponent weighs in 

Republicans weren’t the only ones to weigh in on the results. On the Democratic side, Jack Trammell was chosen back in November as his party’s candidate for the seat. He also congratulated his opponent, while offering a challenge. 

“I’m looking forward to a spirited campaign where our stark differences will stand out,” Trammell wrote. “Mr. Cifers wants to continue the same failed leadership we have seen in the 10th Senate District that has led to schools that can’t retain quality teachers, significant job losses and a lack of business development, and extreme restrictions on reproductive freedom with no exceptions for rape, incest, or life of the mother. In contrast, I want to bring valuable resources to the district to improve your lives such as increased business investments, retain teachers with better pay and benefits, and by bringing down everyday costs.” 

The challenge included a request by Trammell for two debates or forums with Cifers. 

“It would benefit the voters of the 10th Senate District to understand the difference between the two candidates,” Trammell wrote in a statement sent out to media. He requested one debate or forum in the southern part of the district and one in the northern part to ensure access to each for voters.

The problem is just the timeframe involved with the race. The special election will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 7. It would be challenging at best to coordinate even one debate between the two campaigns, let alone two.