Political observers consider the contest in the 72nd the closest in the Richmond region, as Democrats enraged by the election of President Donald Trump last year try to cut into the Republicans’ 66-34 majority in the House or take control outright.

“They’re after it because this is the open seat,” said Whitlock, who unsuccessfully sought the Republican nomination in 2015 to fill the 12th District Senate seat opened by the retirement of longtime Sen. Walter A. Stosch, R-Henrico.

The campaign turned negative on Wednesday, when Whitlock released a television ad accusing VanValkenburg of “radical ideas.”

Whitlock is a longtime player in Henrico Republican politics, but his mentors were Democrats — former Del. Ralph L. “Bill” Axselle Jr. and former House Appropriations Chairman Robert B. Ball Sr.

“Back then, you had conservative Democrats,” he said. “You don’t have that many of them today.”

He is confident enough in his election that he said he expects to serve on the House Courts of Justice Committee, where he wants to improve the state’s process for electing judges.

“Judges shouldn’t be political appointments,” he said. “They should be merit appointments.”