The State Board of Elections has the unofficial returns at its website:

• HD 26: Wilt Defeats Degner
• HD 27: Robinson Defeats Brown

Delegate-elect Wilt will represent the 26th District, which includes the City of Harrisonburg and part of Rockingham County. Wilt succeeds former delegate Matt Lohr, who resigned to become Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Delegate-elect Robinson will represent the 27th District, which covers a portion of Chesterfield County. Robinson succeeds former delegate Sam Nixon, who resigned to become Virginia's Chief Information Officer and head of the Virginia Information Technologies Agency (VITA).

Biographical information on the two delegates-elect is available on their respective websites:

• Tony Wilt's Biography
• Roxann Robinson's Biography

Robinson, who will run in Chesterfield's HD 27, joins Tony Wilt, nominee in HD 26, as the Republican ticket for June 15. The special elections were called to fill vacancies caused by the resignation of two valuable members of the Caucus to join the McDonnell Administration—Sam Nixon to become Virginia's CIO and Matt Lohr to become commissioner of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

“As recognized leader within the Caucus, Tim understands the duties required of this position and has the right temperament and experiences to be very successful in his important new capacity,” stated Speaker William J. Howell. “During these tough economic times and need to reform state government to make it smarter and simpler, it is imperative that we have an energetic, dedicated and knowledgeable member like Tim joining our leadership team. Like so many, I am looking forward to working with him and our Majority Caucus will be better off because of his leadership.”

The position of Caucus Chairman is one of four leadership roles within the House Republican Caucus. Others serving in leadership positions include Speaker William Howell, Majority Leader Morgan Griffith, and Majority Whip Kirk Cox.

“I humbly accept the responsibility that has been entrusted to me today,” Delegate Hugo said in accepting the position. “Since being elected, I have watched the Republican Caucus expand on its majority under our current leadership. I am thrilled to broaden my responsibilities within the caucus and relish the opportunity to serve the citizens of Virginia.”

Delegate Hugo was first elected to the House of Delegates in a special election in December 2002, filling a vacancy left by former Delegate Jay O’Brien. Delegate Hugo garnered over 67% of the vote in his first election. Now serving in his eighth year as a member, Delegate Hugo is a member of the Commerce and Labor, Finance, Transportation, and Privileges and Elections Committees. He represents parts of Fairfax, Centreville, Clifton, and Fairfax Station.

Nixon resigned to become the Commonwealth's Chief Information Officer, leading the Virginia Information Technologies Agency (VITA). Lohr resigned to become Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

• Del. Sam Nixon's HB 523, which provides capital gains tax relief for investments in science and biotech startups.
• Del. Jim LeMunyon's HB 792, which makes relocating to Virginia easier for businesses by providing temporary licenses to employees in regulated professions who already hold the equivalent license in another state.
• Del. Joe May's HB 677, which established biotech research performance grants to spur development in that field.
• Del. Barbara Comstock's HB 1372, which enhances the Virginia Economic Development Partnerships stature in the business community.
• Del. Lacey Putney's HB 1396, which expands the flexibility of the Governor's Economic Development Opportunity Fund to attract major businesses to Virginia.

The Governor's press release is available at his website.

In making the appointment, McDonnell said, "Sam and I served together for twelve years in the House of Delegates. During that time I came to greatly admire and respect Sam's intellect, character and understanding of the important issues facing the Commonwealth. Sam is a thought leader on information technology issues, both as a legislator and as a Senior Consultant at Richmond–based IT consulting firm CapTech Ventures. Sam's experience in this fast–changing industry will be of tremendous benefit at VITA. I know he will do a great job for the citizens of Virginia." (see Governor's full press release)

Speaker Howell shared the Governor's enthusiasm. “Sam Nixon is the ideal public servant – a recognized and respected leader with vision and integrity, a consensus builder with an uncanny ability to bring people together and harness their many talents, and a problem solver who’s proven time and again that he can fashion practical solutions that deliver real results on technology issues, business concerns and so many other pressing issues that people really care about,” said Speaker Howell. “These attributes make his selection as the Commonwealth’s next Chief Information Officer at the Virginia Information Technology Agency such wonderful and welcome news for all Virginians.” (see Speaker's full press release)

Nixon takes over VITA as implementation of important reform legislation that passed during the 2010 Session of the General Assembly takes effect. Del. Kathy Byron (R-Campbell) carried House Bill 1034, which enhanced accountability by making the CIO accountable to the Governor, through the Secretary of Technology, and making other important improvements in the Commonwealth's IT Governance. Byron chairs the Science and Technology Committee.

“As Virginians struggle in today’s economy, state government must address their needs without burdening them with additional job-killing taxes and burdensome requirements,” said Speaker Howell.  “Since the House of Delegate’s defeated Governor Kaine’s $1 billion per year statewide income tax plan by a unanimous and bipartisan vote of 97-0 at the beginning of this Session, House Republicans have aggressively pursued fiscally responsible legislation to create jobs and opportunities for Virginians, reform government to deliver services more efficiently and transparently and address other challenges.  I’m delighted that our strong Majority Caucus has produced real results with the support of Democrats and Independents which has enabled us to achieve House passage of scores of positive reforms.”

“Offering practical solutions to Virginia’s challenges is a hallmark of House Republican leadership in the General Assembly,” said Chairman Nixon.  “With our citizens and Commonwealth confronting the most difficult economic environment in decades, it is essential to build and expand upon our many accomplishments.  The overwhelming bipartisan support for many items on our agenda underscores the ability of Republicans to govern effectively and respond appropriately to the concerns of Virginians.”

Full Press Release, Including List of Bills

• Caucus Chairman Sam Nixon's bill will grant an income tax exemption for qualified investments by technology and science startup businesses. HB 523.
• Delegate Terry Kilgore will help the Governor create an energy corridor in Southern and Southwest Virginia.
• Delegates Glenn Oder and Scott Lingamfelter have a bill, HB 42, to identify cost savings and establish performance metrics on congestion releif and mobility at VDOT.
• Delegate Rob Bell's bills will help protect victims of domestic violence by improving Virginia's protective order process. HB 930, HB 931.
• Delegate Jackson Miller will help fight gangs by expanding Gang-Free School Zones into Gang-Free Zones, to better target gang activity wherever it occurs. HB 682.

Check out Speaker Howell's comments on the Governor's speech here.