See below for a statement from SD31 Democratic candidate Zach Cummings, one of two Democrats so far (the other being Russet Perry) who have filed to run for this seat next year against either incumbent State Sen. Jill Vogel (R) or far-right Republican Geary Higgins. This is a competitive “purple” seat which is now, post-2021-redistricting, heavily based in Loudoun County (whereas previously it had parts of Clarke, Fauquier, Frederick, Winchester, Culpeper and Stafford).
As for Sen. Vogel, there have been rumors for months that she either might not run for reelection or might get primaried from her right (also note that Vogel barely raised any money in the first half of 2022). And indeed, as it turns out, on September 29 far-right Republican Geary Higgins posted on his Facebook page that he would be a candidate for this seat. For more background on Higgins, see Geary Higgins is a Gun Lobby Extremist, Far-Right, Mark Levin-Endorsed Geary Higgins Asks, “Is There No Civility Left?”, and How Much Further Could Virginia Republicans Lurch to the Extreme Right on Tuesday?.
Also, see below for Democratic candidate Zach Cummings’ statement, which notes Higgins’ “history of promoting conspiracy theories about the 2020 election,” and asks Higgins if a) he believes Joe Biden won the 2020 presidential election and b) he condemns those who participated in the 1/6/21 insurrection. Good questions; just don’t hold your breath waiting for a serious, let alone sane, answer from Higgins…
Statement by Leesburg Town Councilman and Candidate for State Senate District 31 on Geary Higgins Announcement to Run for State Senate District 31
Leesburg, VA–Please find the statement below from Zach Cummings on the recent announcement that Geary Higgins has filed paperwork to run for the 31st State Senate District:
“Welcome to the race, Geary! Given your history of promoting conspiracy theories about the 2020 election, here are two fundamental questions the voters deserve to hear from you as you begin this campaign.
- Did Joe Biden win the 2020 Presidential Election?
- Do you condemn those that participated in the insurrection on January 6, 2021?
If Mr. Higgins can’t answer these basic questions then he truly lacks public trust. We don’t need a state senator that repeats lies, conspiracy theories, and hoaxes representing us in Richmond. Before we can talk about any issues, the citizens of the 31st District deserve to know where you stand on the 2020 election and insurrection of January 6, 2021.”
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