Republicans 'verging on total control' in Virginia as Dems accuse GOP of meddling in primary elections

20 June 2023

Virginia was once a deep red state, but it has evolved into more of a swing state in recent decades and has arguably become the most Democrat-friendly state in the South. Nonetheless, Virginia has a conservative Republican governor: Glenn Youngkin, who is hoping that his party will win majorities in both branches of the state legislature in 2023.

Politico's Zach Montellaro, in an article published on Tuesday, June 20 — the day of Virginia's primary election — reports, "Virginia hasn't gone for a Republican for president in nearly 20 years. But after Glenn Youngkin's upset victory there two years ago, the GOP is verging on total control of state government. It's a potential sea change with major implications for 2024."

In a separate Politico report, also published on June 20, journalist Madison Fernandez stresses that abortion is a major issue in Virginia's races.

"Democrats hold a slim majority in the (Virginia) State Senate, while the GOP has a narrow control of the State House," Fernandez explains. "Both chambers have been marked as top targets by national Democratic and Republican groups, and the GOP is being bolstered by Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who is raising millions of dollars in support of holding the House and flipping the Senate."

Fernandez adds that for Democrats, Virginia's 2024 races — the June 20 primaries and the general election in November — are "about reclaiming control in a blue state — and the potency of abortion as an issue to motivate their voters to get to the polls."

Democratic Virginia State Sen. Aaron Rouse told Politico, "The threat to Virginians is if Glenn Youngkin wins two chambers and has a trifecta. It's only thanks to Virginia Democrats that we are the only state in the south without an abortion ban."

According to News 4 Washington, Virginia Democrats are accusing Republicans of interfering in their primaries.

In an article published by the Washington Post on June 20, journalist Antonio Olivo stresses that in 2023, Virginia is a top priority for both Republicans and Democrats.

"Every seat in the (Virginia) State Legislature is up for election this fall, with redrawn political maps meaning a historic level of turnover is guaranteed regardless of whom voters ultimately choose," Olivo notes. "About half of the state's 140 lawmakers in the General Assembly were doubled or tripled up in new districts, triggering about two dozen retirements. A host of delegates chose to run for the Senate to avoid challenging their House colleagues, instead running against some Senate incumbents in their party in sometimes bitter contests."

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