It’s still early, and many Virginia Democratic House of Delegates candidates just finished grueling, competitive primaries. Still, according to this graphic by VPAP (see below for a screenshot), if we’re going to have any chance of taking back the Virginia House of Delegates (that would require netting 17 seats), or even of picking up in the 6-10 seat range, we’re going to need a s***-ton of money, and we’re doing to need it soon.
I’d remind everyone that Jon Ossoff raised around $24 million for one U.S. House special election, and that the money came from all over the country. Well, guess what national progressives? That’s right, the only other chance you’ve got this year to help Democrats make serious gains comes in the form of Virginia’s House of Delegates. But wait, you say, that’s not a single race, nor is it a federal race; how does THAT help hit back at Trump? Simple: Democrats desperately need to take back state legislatures and governor’s mansions across the country if we’re ever going to be a national party again, also if we’re going to have a say in 2021 redistricting (which will massively impact Congressional districts), etc. Plus, of course, tons of important policies on everything we all care about are enacted – or stopped – at the state level. So…this really isn’t that complicated if you think about it for more than about 0.1 seconds.
As for the current state of play for the Virginia House of Delegates, we can now plug in the cash-on-hand numbers for Democratic candidates in the most competitive districts. See below the graphic for some thoughts…
HD2: This one is not listed on the VPAP Visual because it’s an open seat. Jennifer Carroll Foy (D) comes out of her primary with Josh King (D) trailing the Republican nominee (Laquan Austion) in the money race ($26k to $8k), but given that this is a 56% Hillary Clinton district, Foy should be able to close that gap fast and win this race.
HD42: Also not listed on the VPAP Visual, again because it’s an open seat. Right now, Kathy Tran (D) is wayyyy ahead of the Republican nominee (Lolita Mancheno-Smoak) in terms of cash on hand, so we should be in good shape in this 57% Hillary Clinton district.
HD67: This one IS on the VPAP Visual, with Democratic nominee Karrie Delaney slightly ahead of Republican incumbent Jim LeMunyon in terms of cash on hand. This should be a great race, one we can certainly win, in a 58% Hillary Clinton district. Let’s make sure we win it!
HD13: This one’s also on the VPAP Visual, with Democratic nominee Danica Roem just slightly behind Del. “Sideshow Bob” Marshall (faaaar-right “R”) in terms of cash on hand. This is a 54% Hillary Clinton district, so let’s make sure Roem has the money she needs to kick the ineffective, bigoted wacko (Marshall) out of that seat once and for all.
HD32: Democratic nominee David Reid is doing very well in terms of money, but still trails incumbent Del. Tag Greason (R) by about $35k. So…cmon Ossoff donors, send some money Reid’s way now and let’s win back this 57% Hillary Clinton district!
HD31: Democratic nominee Elizabeth Guzman is about $18k behind incumbent Del. Scott Lingamfelter (R), so again…send some money her way and let’s win back this 51% Hillary Clinton district.
HD51: Democratic nominee Hala Ayala is trailing incumbent Del. Rich Anderson (R) $78k to $10k, thus could REALLY use some of that Ossoff-style money from national progressives to help win back this 51% Hillary Clinton district.
HD72: Democratic nominee Schuyler VanValkenburg is not on the VPAP Visual, because this is an open seat in a 49% Hillary Clinton district. Currently, VanValkenburg is wayyyy ahead of Republican nominee Eddie Whitlock in terms of cash on hand, but of course he could always use more…so donate away! 😉
HD21: Democratic nominee Kelly Fowler came out of her primary with very little cash on hand, and now trails incumbent Del. Ron Villanueva by a 9:1 margin in this 49% Hillary Clinton district. So…you Ossoff donors know where to send some $$$.
HD12: Democratic nominee Chris Hurst is running almost even in terms of cash on hand with Republican incumbent Joseph Yost in this 47% Hillary Clinton district. This one’s winnable, as long as Hurst has the money to compete with Yost.
HD94: Democratic nominee Zack Wittkamp trails incumbent Del. David Yancey (R) by an 11:1 margin in terms of cash on hand in this 49% Hillary Clinton district. That’s not going to cut it. Hint hint, Ossoff donors!
HD50: Democratic nominee Lee Carter is trailing incumbent Republican Del. Jackson Miller by a 5:1 margin in terms of cash on hand in this 53% Hillary Clinton district. This one’s potentially winnable, but not if Carter gets outspent 5:1 or whatever. Let’s make sure that doesn’t happen.
HD68: Democratic Dawn Adams is trailing incumbent Del. Manoli Loupassi (R) by a 20:1 margin in terms of cash on hand in this 51% Hillary Clinton district. Obviously, that situation needs to change…and fast!
HD40: Democratic nominee Donte Tanner trails incumbent Republican Del. Tim Hugo by a 3:1 margin in cash on hand in this 51% Hillary Clinton district. Definitely a district we can pick up if Tanner has enough resources to compete. Let’s do it!
HD73: Democratic nominee Debra Rodman trails Republican incumbent Del. John O’Bannon by a 4:1 cash-on-hand margin in this 50% Hillary Clinton district. Let’s go, Ossoff donors; close that gap!
HD100: Democratic nominee Willie Randall trails incumbent Republican Del. Rob Bloxom by a 10:1 cash-on-hand margin in this 49% Hillary Clinton district. Time to help Randall catch up!
HD10: Democratic nominee Wendy Gooditis trails incumbent Del. Randy Minchew (R) by a 3:1 cash-on-hand margin in this 49% Hillary Clinton district. We need to help her close that gap ASAP.
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