Kaplan, Democratic federal candidates dominate in Franklin

Published 10:27 pm Tuesday, November 5, 2024

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Six of six precincts are now reporting in the city of Franklin, with only provisional and post-election ballots outstanding, and Paul E. Kaplan has won the mayoral race with 80.85% of the vote according to unofficial results from the Virginia Department of Elections website.

Kaplan is unopposed on the ballot and has received 2,529 votes. There were at least two write-in campaigns announced, and there are 599 total write-in votes, equaling 19.15% of the vote.

“I’m very excited to be able to serve the city I love,” Kaplan said Tuesday evening. “I look forward to two good, strong years for City Council and working with the schools and the economic development and the local business and the city staff to make things happen in Franklin.”

In the presidential race, Democratic Party candidate Kamala D. Harris has received 60.84% of the vote in Franklin, with Republican Party candidate Donald J. Trump receiving 37.84%.

With 122 of 133 precincts reporting statewide, Harris leads Trump 49.42% to 48.35% in Virginia.

In the U.S. Senate race, Democrat Timothy M. Kaine leads Republican Hung Cao 63.44% to 36.40% in Franklin.

With 122 of 133 precincts reporting statewide, Kaine leads Cao 52.14% to 47.66%.

In the race for the 2nd District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, Democrat Missy Cotter Smasal leads Republican Jen A. Kiggans 57.19% to 40.10% in Franklin. Independent Robert E. Reid Jr. has 2.55% of the vote.

With eight of eight localities reporting across the 2nd District, Kiggans defeated Smasal 53.29% to 43.92% districtwide, according to the unofficial results.

With the relevant precincts having reported in the Franklin City Council Ward 1, Ward 2 and Ward 4 races, Mark R. Kitchen, Richard S. “Ricky” Grizzard and Dr. Linwood W. Johnson III, respectively, have won decisively. 

The proposed constitutional amendment on the ballot features the following question: Should the Constitution of Virginia be amended so that the tax exemption that is currently available to the surviving spouses of soldiers killed in action is also available to the surviving spouses of soldiers who died in the line of duty?

With six of six precincts reporting in Franklin, “Yes” won with 93.69% of the vote.

With 115 of 133 precincts reporting statewide, “Yes” is winning with 93.14% of the vote.