“Virginia House Republicans In Disarray — Too Terrified to Lead, Too Divided to Govern”

As reported by the Virginia Mercury, a dozen GOP incumbents in swing districts have quietly formed a so-called “Purple Caucus” — a last-ditch effort to distance themselves from their party’s toxic brand and hang onto their seats this November.

According to Delegate Amanda Batten, who spearheaded the “caucus,” the group came together after Virginia House Democrats launched targeted digital ads calling out vulnerable Republicans for their extreme records:

“We kind of came up with it based on the composition of our districts,” Batten said. “But after the legislative session, the Democrat caucus did some hit pieces with YouTube ads targeting 12 members of our caucus.”

Translation? They’re scared. Instead of taking responsibility for pushing an agenda that’s out of step with Virginians, Republicans are scrambling to rebrand — without changing a thing.

Even their own leadership is falling apart. Batten admitted she hasn’t had a meaningful conversation with House Republican Leader Todd Gilbert in ages:

“I don’t really have any communication with Todd, he does not communicate with me,” Batten said. “Outside of [session], I honestly couldn’t begin to tell you the last time we had a one-on-one conversation.”

She added that Gilbert “seems very much like he has a foot out of the door.”

Republicans are fractured, rudderless, and facing growing backlash for their blind loyalty to Donald Trump and Elon Musk — whose economic agenda has slashed funding for Virginia schools, jobs, and health care. The Purple Caucus isn’t a change in policy. It’s a marketing gimmick from politicians who know they’re on the verge of losing.

Speaking to the Virginia Mercury, Speaker Don Scott put it bluntly:

“There is a Purple Caucus? They aren’t red and they aren’t blue? And Delegate Batten is supposed to be moderate now? That’s funny, because she’s not moderate. She’s as extreme as everybody else. They’re wrong on the issues, and they probably need to create another caucus — a common sense caucus — because right now they’re too terrified of Trump to do anything to change course.”

Amber Gantt, Communications Director for the Virginia House Democratic Caucus, added:

“This isn’t strategy — it’s survival mode. House Republicans are running scared, trying to rebrand without changing a single thing about their extreme agenda. Their leader is MIA, their members are splintering, and their caucus is in freefall. Voters see through the chaos — and come November, they’ll vote for leadership, not desperation.”

Read the full article here: