1986Final resultsSpecial election
1986 special election for Virginia House District 71
Virginia House of Delegates · Virginia
Jean W. Cunningham (D) won with 46.3% of the vote, defeating Willie J. Dell (IND) by 13.2 points.
Jean W. CunninghamDemocrat · winner
46.3%3,411
Willie J. DellIndependent
33.1%2,438
R. B. ChessIndependent
10.5%777
Edwin O. McNuttIndependent
6.7%492
James W. CheagleIndependent
3.4%248
7,368 votes
Source: Harvard Dataverse / Carl KlarnerUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:29 AM ET
The candidates
Jean W. Cunningham (D)Willie J. Dell (I)R. B. Chess (I)Edwin O. McNutt (I)
Also on the ballot: James W. Cheagle (Independent), 3.4%