A Republican Mass Meeting will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 19 to determine the nominee for the special election in the 9th Senate District. The meeting will be held at the Drakes Branch Volunteer Fire Department located at 4801 Drakes Main Street in Drakes Branch. 

Registration for the meeting will begin at 5 pm, with the meeting beginning at 6:30 pm. Two bus pickup locations are being in Pittsylvania County and Danville to help people get to the meeting.

The pickup locations are the Food Lion located 3305 US Hwy 29 in Danville and Tightsqueeze Shopping Center at 13701 US Hwy 29 in Chatham. The buses will arrive at 3:45 pm and depart at 4 pm. To RSVP for bus pickup call 804-404-3216 or email voglerforsenate@gmail.com.

The special election is being held after Senator Frank Ruff announced that he is retiring and won’t serve his 2024-2028 term. The special election will be held on January 9, 2024.

Six republican candidates have emerged for the seat. Danville City Councilman Lee Vogler; Delegate James Edmunds; Halifax County Businessman Andy Ferguson; former legislative aide Tammy Brankley Mulchi; previous Ruff opponent Dale Sturdifen; and legislative aide Kade Gravitt.