Robert Tracci defeated current Albemarle County Commonwealth's Attorney Denise Lunsford in Tuesday’s election, claiming 51 percent of the vote.
Tracci, a Republican and former Special Assistant United States Attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice, won by a difference of 515 votes. Tracci received 11,109 votes, while Lunsford received 10,594.
Lunsford has held her position as the county’s top prosecutor for eight years. This transition leaves high profile cases under Tracci’s jurisdiction, including the trial of Jesse Matthew for capital murder and abduction with intent to defile in the case of late second-year student Hannah Graham.
Tracci’s experience primarily pertains to crimes against children, public corruption, unlawful possession of firearms and other non-jury cases, but the cases he will be taking over from Lunsford are jury cases.
Charlottesville attorney Scott Goodman said he has confidence in Lunsford’s remaining team, and that they would be able to successfully continue those cases.
“The cases will still be in very good hands,” Goodman said. “There are attorneys in the office who are already very up to speed on those cases. The office really should not miss a beat.”
Lunsford was not available for comment.
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