Woody wins primary for Richmond sheriff

Incumbent Richmond Sheriff C.T. Woody Jr. last night declared victory over his challenger in the Democratic primary contest.

Woody captured about 81 percent of the vote, receiving 10,905 votes compared with 2,459 votes for his challenger, Henrico County sheriff's Maj. Antionette V. Irving, according to unofficial results from the Virginia State Board of Elections.

"Promises made, promises kept," Woody said. He said voters rewarded him for increasing security at the Richmond City Jail and for other accomplishments.

"We delivered," he said. "We've got a lot of work to do, but we've done a great job."

Irving said she hoped her campaign had drawn attention to a need for improvements in security at the jail and better health care for inmates.

Woody, referring to Irving's message, said, "You can't fool the citizens of Richmond."

The former Richmond police homicide investigator was elected sheriff in November 2005, when he defeated three-term incumbent Democrat Michelle B. Mitchell in a hotly contested race.

Irving became the first woman to be promoted to major at the Henrico Sheriff's Office in 2004. She was hired in 1988 as a correctional deputy.

The Richmond sheriff's office, with about 450 employees, runs one of the largest correctional institutions in the state. It also handles courthouse security and serves legal papers in thousands of civil suits each year.

In Petersburg's Democratic primary, Kevin A. Brown defeated city Treasurer Carole S. Matthews. Brown received 1,572 votes (64.39 percent) to Matthews' 869 (35.60 percent).

Contact Reed Williams at (804) 649-6332 or .