WASHINGTON — Not wasting any time after Virginia’s primary, the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee is announcing its next round of 18 Spotlight endorsements to flip the General Assembly blue.
“With the primaries behind us, Virginia Democrats are ready to hit the ground running,” said Jessica Post, executive director of the DLCC. “Day one support from the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee will help provide each of these incredible candidates with the money, data and organizational tools they need to compete and win.” Democrats begin the general election with momentum and clear advantages:
- Enthusiasm: 60,000 more Democrats than Republicans voted in the primaries
- Fundraising: Democratic candidates have outraised Republicans by millions of dollars in 2019
- Fair Maps: Democrats will be competing on new fair House maps, giving them an edge in districts that had been racially gerrymandered by Republicans
- Offense: While Republicans desperately defend their two-seat majorities in each chamber, Democrats are on the offensive with a record number of candidates — 90 in the House and 35 in the Senate
“This incredible early support from the DLCC is going to be instrumental to winning control of the General Assembly,” House Democratic Leader Eileen Filler-Corn said. “While Republicans are talking about politics and grasping to gain support for Trump’s failed agenda, we’re focusing on the real issues Virginia families care about.”
The new Spotlight candidates join the 17 Virginians previously announced in April. The full slate includes challengers and incumbents from across the Commonwealth with proven records of service to their communities. The 18 newly announced endorsements include:
Incumbents: Kathleen Murphy (HD-34), Dawn Adams (HD-68), Schuyler VanValkenburg (HD-72), John Edwards (SD-21), Creigh Deeds (SD-25), Jennifer Boysko (SD-33), George Barker (SD-39)
Challengers: Josh Cole (HD-28), Mavis Taintor (HD-33), Lindsey Dougherty (HD-62), Len Myers (HD-81), Nancy Guy (HD-83), Martha Mugler (HD-91), Cheryl Turpin (SD-07), Ghazala Hashmi (SD-10), Amanda Pohl (SD-11), Debra Rodman (SD-12), Amy Laufer (SD-17)
Read more about the Spotlight candidates here
The DLCC has appointed a dedicated staff member to the state for the first time in the organization’s history, helped lead candidate trainings, and pledged to invest more than $1 million to support Virginia state Democrats, who need to flip just two seats in each chamber in win majorities this November.
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