northam first ran for office in 2007 in the virginia 6th senate district, which includes the eastern shore of virginia; mathews county, on the middle peninsula; and parts of the cities of norfolk and virginia beach. he was re-elected in november 2011, defeating ben loyola, jr., a defense contractor, 16,606 votes to 12,622. he is best known to have led an effort to pass a ban on smoking in restaurants in virginia. the bill failed the first time, but was passed the next year and signed into law by governor tim kaine.