INTERVIEW — STEPHEN FARNSWORTH – Professor of Political Science & International Affairs at University of Mary Washington, focusing on the mass media, the presidency and US & VA politics @drsfarnsworth – previewed primary day in Virginia.

Tuesday is primary day in Virginia; House speaker looks to fend off tea party challenger. (AP) — RICHMOND, Virginia — Virginia voters are heading to the polls for primary elections around the state. Turnout is expected to be light in the 18 contested legislative elections 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. Howell has a large financial advantage over Stimpson, but she’s received help from outside anti-tax and pro-gun groups that have attacked the speaker. There’s also keen interest in a handful of Senate primaries, whose outcome may affect which party controls the state Senate next year. Polls open at 6 a.m. and close at 7 a.m. Voters can find their polling locations at elections.virginia.gov.