Virginia House of Delegates Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford), Speaker-designee Kirk Cox (R-Colonial Heights), Majority Leader-Designee C. Todd Gilbert (R-Shenandoah), Caucus Chairman Tim Hugo (R-Fairfax), and Majority Whip Jackson Miller (R-Manassas) released the following statement Tuesday congratulating Republican House candidates on their primary victories:

“We would like to congratulate Delegate Bobby Orrock, Delegate Ron Villanueva, Emily Brewer, Bob Thomas, Eddie Whitlock and John McGuire on their primary victories. We have a strong slate of House candidates across the Commonwealth prepared to run positive, solutions-oriented campaigns focused on what is best for their communities and our Commonwealth.

“Bobby and Ron are strong and effective legislators who will continue to make positive contributions to their communities and the Commonwealth. Their leadership in Richmond is an invaluable asset to their districts.

“Emily, Bob, Eddie and John are all community leaders who believe in the ideas and values that House Republicans have championed over the last 15 years – creating good jobs, responsibly balancing budgets and working hard to solve Virginia’s toughest challenges. They will spend the coming months talking with voters and sharing their visions for a stronger Commonwealth. I am confident that they will win in November and will be a welcome addition to the House Republican Caucus.

“Throughout the next five months, all Republican House candidates will have the opportunity to share our record of accomplishment and lay out a vision for the future of our state that focuses the issues that matter most to Virginia families: growing our economy, strengthening our education system, and protecting our communities. We’ve proven time and time again that no matter what happens in Washington, we will govern and lead the Commonwealth in a way that Virginians expect and deserve. We have no doubt that we will return in 2018 with a strong majority.”