The Shadow
COVINGTON, Va. (VR) – Virginia’s 37th district, Veteran Republican delegate Terry Austin secured a decisive victory in the 37th district primary election on June 17, defeating challenger Austen Schwend with 68% of the vote. Austin, serving his sixth term representing Alleghany, Botetourt, Craig, and Rockbridge counties, garnered 4,399 votes compared to Schwend’s 2,076 votes.
The primary race highlighted the competitive landscape of Virginia’s legislative contests, which saw candidates across the state raise a collective $20.4 million between January and March. A longtime small business owner and president of Austin Electrical Construction, Terry Austin has deep roots in the region.
Founded 47 years ago, his electrical construction company specializes in airport runway lighting.
Beyond his business pursuits, Austin serves on multiple influential committees, including appropriations, transportation, rules, and general laws. His political portfolio includes chairing the Virginia 250 commission and serving as vice chair of the I-81 Advisory Committee. He also sits on the MEI Project Approval Commission and the Governor’s Advisory Council on Revenue Estimates.
Challenger Austen Schwend, a conservative engineer and small farm owner from Botetourt County, positioned himself as a candidate committed to reviving “the spirit of the founding fathers.”
Schwend, who grew up in Bath County after moving from Texas at age 10, emphasized governmental restraint and individual liberty in his campaign. Schwend’s background includes diverse work experiences, from being a mechanic and bus driver to running an engineering manufacturing business and operating a small farm with pigs, goats, ducks, and chickens.
Virginia’s open primary system allows all voters even those not registered to a specific party to participate, adding complexity to the electoral dynamics in the commonwealth. Austin’s victory was anticipated by many due to his extensive name recognition and established political network.
Political observers noted Schwend faced a significant challenge in attempting to unseat such a well-entrenched incumbent. The primary results reinforce Austin’s
political standing in the mostly rural district, where his long- standing community connections and legislative experience appeared to resonate with voters.
For Schwend, the race represented an opportunity to challenge the political establishment, arguing that government has grown exponentially and threatening the foundational principles established by the nation’s founders. Despite Schwend’s enthusiastic campaign focusing on conservative principles and limited government, voters ultimately chose to retain Austin, reflecting a preference for proven legislative experience.
The June 17 primary was part of a broader electoral landscape in the Commonwealth of Virginia, with three statewide offices and all one hundred House of Delegate seats being contested.
Austin will now advance to the general election, continuing his representation of the 37th district with staunch support from local Republican voters.
