Rep. Rob Wittman (R-Montross) easily held on to his 1st Congressional District seat Tuesday, winning nearly 64 percent of the overall vote.

His Democratic challenger, Krystal Ball came through with nearly 35 percent of the overall vote and Independent Green candidate Gail Parker received just over 1 percent of the overall vote.

About half of all registered voters in both counties turned out at the polls Tuesday. According to the State Board of Elections, voter turnout in Gloucester was right around 44 percent and in Mathews was just over 50 percent.

Wittman issued a statement shortly after he was declared winner in the race Tuesday night. "Tonight, voters throughout the First Congressional District sent a message to Washington," Wittman said. "They sent a message loud and clear that it is time to get our federal budget in check, to get our economy back on track and to defend the freedoms of this nation."

Wittman, saying he is ready to get back to work in W...