Virginia voters picking candidates in primary election

(AP) – Voting in underway in Virginia’s primary elections, which may shape November’s general election fight over control of the Senate and determine who leads the state House of Delegates.
    
There are 18 contested legislative elections around the state Tuesday.
    
The highest profile contest is GOP House Speaker William J. Howell’s run for re-election. Howell is facing off against Susan Stimpson, a tea party favorite and former political protégé of the speaker.
    
Some Howell voters said they are supporting him because of his constituent services work. Some Stimpson supporters said Howell has been in office too long.
    
There’s also keen interest in a handful of Senate primaries, whose outcome may affect which party controls the chamber next year.
    
Polls close at 7 p.m. Voters can find their polling locations at elections.virginia.gov.